Though I usually try and keep up with all of the popular book series for kids, “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” somehow slipped by me. I understand that the series of books are about to number five, yet I was totally unfamiliar with author Jeff Kinney’s take on being a ten year old in middle school. His lead character, Greg Hefley is a bit of a misfit. He’s the smallest guy in class, with a ‘cool’ factor of -2. His only friend, Rowley, is a bit of an oaf but has a kind heart. Director Thor Freudenthal recently brought the series to the big screen in a movie aimed at all those misfit kids, trying to make their way through school. “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” introduces us to Greg (Zachary Gordon) and his friend Rowley (Robert Capron) as they face life during one of its toughest times, short of high school. Greg’s family is a bit eccentric (though not horribly so) and his big brother Rodrick (Devon Bostick) embodies the worst of big brothers.

What we learn of Greg’s life comes in the form of a diary… which he adamantly swears is really supposed to be a journal.

Not knowing what to expect from “Diary of a Wimpy Kid”, I sat down to watch it with by (almost) seven year old daughter. Together we laughed, were shocked, and ultimately learned a little bit about the difference between right and wrong and just what friends should and should not do. The film is silly most of the time, not quite cartoonish, but nearly. We see our friends go through a multitude of adventures, fall away from each other, and eventually do the right things. At first I was a little taken aback by how much of a little jerk the main character could be, but when my daughter recognized what he was doing was wrong, I picked up on what the director was trying to do.

Performances throughout were solid, with both Gordon and Capron really standing out in their characters. I also especially enjoyed Steve Zahn and Greg’s father, recognizing a little bit of me in his portrayal.

The recent Bluray release offers up a great picture and sound, though the film doesn’t really call for it. There are no real special effects beyond the movement from the cartoon world of Greg’s diary (I mean JOURNAL) and the real, so there really isn’t anything here that the technology could really latch on to. What you do get are two additional discs offering the movie on DVD (which I still love these combo packs) and a Digital Download.

In terms of extra features, there is a commentary by Freudenthal and writer Gabe Sachs. Both talk amiably about the characters and the choices that were made in adapting the books to film. Additionally there are nine deleted scenes, most of which were better than average and worth taking a look at. There are also several “Zoo-Wee Mama” school newspaper cartoons, which will make sense once you’ve seen the film. The cardboard slipcase also has ‘pages’ from Rowley’s diary (Journal??).

I usually like to check out movies before I let my daughter watch them because PG today isn’t the same as PG when I was a kid. But I decided to take a chance with this one, and I made the right choice. There’s nothing overtly offensive in this film, and it does a terrific job of capturing life at ten. It will definitely appeal to its target audience, and to those adults who can still remember.

Directed by: Thor Freudenthal
Starring: Zachary Gordon, Robert Capron, Steve Zahn, Rachael Harris, Chloe Moretz, Devon Bostick, Grayson Russell
Extras: DVD & Digital Download; Greg’s Deleted Diary Pages; The Benefits of the Cheese Touch; Rowley’s Lost Zoo-Wee Mama Cartoons; Chiraq’s Trail of Tears
Specifications: Widescreen (1.85:1), 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Release Date: 8/3/2010
MPAA Rating: PG
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We'll give Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Bluray) a B+.