Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules (2011)

Back in middle school after summer vacation, Greg Heffley and his older brother Rodrick must deal with their parents' misguided attempts to have them bond.

Director:

David Bowers

Writers:

Gabe Sachs (screenplay), Jeff Judah (screenplay)

Stars:

Zachary Gordon, Devon Bostick, Robert Capron

2 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Zachary Gordon	...	Greg Heffley
Devon Bostick	...	Rodrick Heffley
Rachael Harris	...	Susan Heffley
Robert Capron	...	Rowley Jefferson
Steve Zahn	...	Frank Heffley
Connor Fielding	...	Manny Heffley
Owen Fielding	...	Manny Heffley
Peyton List	...	Holly Hills
Karan Brar	...	Chirag
Laine MacNeil	...	Patty Farrell
Grayson Russell	...	Fregley
Terence Kelly	...	Grandpa
Fran Kranz	...	Bill
Bryce Hodgson	...	Ben Segal
Andrew McNee	...	Coach Malone

Storyline

Greg and Rodrick don't get along, and his parents are fully aware of that. In order to help them get along, Greg's mother introduces Mom Bucks, which rewards them for getting along. But Rodrick isn't the only problem. He has to deal with any conflicts involving Holly Hills, as well as other embarrassing situations. Will Greg and Rodrick get along?

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Plot Keywords:

sequel | diary | boy | brother | school | 

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Taglines:

Welcome to the next grade

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Genres:

Comedy | Family

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some mild rude humor and mischief

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 March 2011 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dagbok för alla mina fans - Rodrick regerar

Filming Locations:

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$21,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$23,751,502, 27 March 2011, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$52,698,535

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$72,417,394

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fox 2000 Pictures,Color Force,Dune Entertainment

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby Surround 7.1 Datasat SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Karan Brar's father Harry Brar and Robert Capron's father Robert Capron Sr. made cameo appearances in the audience at the talent show.

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Goofs

During the store scene, the boys are scene taking multiple bites of the hot dogs, but in the next shot the hot dogs are completely whole.

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Quotes

Susan Heffley: My computer is supposed to be for homework only. You lied to me. And you know how I feel about that.
Greg Heffley: Mom, from now on, I'll be 100% honest.

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Crazy Credits

As with the first Diary of a Wimpy Kid, no opening credits aside from the movie's title are shown.

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Connections

Referenced in Midnight Screenings: The Green Lantern/Mr. Popper's Penguins (2011)

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Soundtracks

Rock and Roll Slob
Written by Max Fox
Performed by The Boneless Ones
Courtesy of Boner Records

User Reviews

A wonderful series of books easily destroyed by two tasteless films

The sequel to Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a tiny bit more mature than the first film, but it still overwhelmed by kiddy gags and annoying characters. I have read all the book released, and while they are a very easy read, they pack a lot of fun in those pages. I don't believe there is any successful way to adapt this series of books to film. The only way that could be done is to use the same animation of the book which just won't work period. It's a lost cause.

When it came to the first Diary of a Wimpy Kid, I hated it. I contemplated leaving the theater but didn't. I was hoping somewhere in the film a highpoint would be reached. It never happened. The film was way too childish, the characters, especially Fregley were just poorly put on film. I keep hoping they'll scrap that kid in the future films, but I doubt it. Just looking and hearing that kid is annoying. Even in the book he was an annoyance.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules is about Greg Heffley (Gordon) showing his life and how it is "ruined" by his older brother Rodrick (Bostick). Whenever Greg and his best friend Rowley (Capron) try to have fun, Rodrick humiliates, injures, or just annoys them in every possible way.

Rachel Harris and Steve Zahn are the mom and dad of Greg. Both actors are fine in other things they did. Harris was great in The Hangover and Zahn was funny in one of my favorite films of all time Joy Ride. Zahn seems to get stuck in bad movies like the 2004 adaptation of Speak. It's a great thing we get to see him on screen, hopefully soon he'll be in something way more entertaining.

The characters Chirag (Brar), Holly (List), and Rodrick are where the film shine. Chirag is hilarious in almost every scene he is in, but the scenes with him don't last nearly as long as I would've liked. We even get the unnecessary "poop" joke at Church which is unnecessary. And much like the first film a few scenes (like the ones with Fregley and the Church) I put my head in my hand because it was almost embarrassing to be seen in the same room this movie was showing.

Yes, the film shows how Middle School can be a drag for some kids, especially if you're not popular or you don't fit in. Middle School is also that awkward period where you're still a kid, but you're a young adult as well. I struggled a lot through Middle School because I was socially awkward and had a big mouth which more often than not got me in trouble. No movie is going to pin-point relate to you, but Middle School is nowhere near as bad as this kid makes it out to be. It sucks, but not this hard.

Plus, it doesn't help when you are a seventh grader and are a complete jerk to your only friend. In a way, this kid sort of brings it on himself.

For what it's worth, Rodrick Rules is a tiny bit more mature than it's predecessor, but in the long run it's just not at all funny. We can see Greg is getting more interested in girls, only to be dragged down by his childish friend Rowley. It's a shame Wimpy Kid gets such a poor adaptation on screen. I feel I've lost a bit of respect for the books because I watch the films. Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a witty book series, but a shameful blend of distaste and childish humor when it comes to seeing it on a big screen.

Starring: Zachary Gordon, Devon Bostick, Rachael Harris, Robert Capron, Peyton R. List, Karan Brar, and Steve Zahn. Directed by" David Bowers.