Journal d'un dégonflé

I saw Diary of a Wimpy Kid (DOAWK) at a Cineplex large screen (full-price), with 2 grand-daughters, one of whom has read the books (I haven't). I concur with others that the film starts out promising, but tends to bog down in the middle. The main character becomes a little mean-spirited, and the fun begins to fade somewhat. I gather that the books contain a certain cynical tone for the main character, and that the humour plays off that. When you transfer to a screenplay, you have to get the 'voice' right, or else the gags don't work.

I might compare it to describing a Seinfeld plot to a bewildered foreigner: "you see, George takes a disabled parking spot at the mall, causing a girl in a wheelchair to have an accident, so George and Kramer buy her a replacement wheelchair that has defective brakes, and she goes screaming down a hill.." sounds mean, huh? it's not -- it's hilarious WHEN you see it in context. Maybe that's what happens in DOAWK -- incorporating several ideas from the books resulted in some 'losing the context', so to speak.

However, family films are few and far between these days, and this is passable family fun. My advice? if you have a matinée-priced theater, go see it. At full price? stay home and watch your 'Better off Dead' DVD on your big screen TV.

This is a film for children. It's considered a family movie, but if you graduated from school you better skip it. The story of a 12-year-old who wants to be popular at a new school at all costs, but tries in the wrong and ugly ways, and after much peripeteia finally learns his lesson. The classic story of friendship, selfishness and sacrifice, bullying, complexes, and responsibilities ... there's nothing new that could interest anyone older than the movie's protagonists. It's not bad in any aspect, but it doesn't really stand out in any way either.

6/10

Films like 'Diary Of A Wimpy Kid' take you back in time. Of how, we celebrated our school days and how we cherish them today. Moving on, 'Diary Of A Wimpy Kid' is a fairly entertaining film, that makes you laugh, re-counts your memories and is cute in nature.

Based on the book in the illustrated novel series of the same title by Jeff Kinney, Thor Freudenthal has directed the film well. However, the film is not without it's minuses. It gets repetitive and is about 10-15 minutes longer then it should've actually been.

Coming directly to the acting department, Zachary Gordon is first-rate as the protagonist. He expresses the haste nature, anger and envy every kid goes through. Robert Capron is outstanding! The real scene-stealer! Chloë Moretz looks lovely, as always, and performs superbly. Steve Zahn in a brief role, has not much to do. Alex Ferris is hysterical.

On the whole, It's film that will entertain you in those 90 minutes, and expect only entertainment from this one. Nearly, A Thumbs Up!

The film was similar to "A Christmas Story" in relating the troubled life of a 'tween in school, but came nowhere close to being on the same level. I was disappointed.

Steve Zahn was just bizarre as the father. Not really funny--just strange. Some of the situations were very promising, but the comic potential was not fully realized. Through about the first hour, I smiled occasionally. But then I thought the film was really going to take off, with the scene about auditions for The Wizard of Oz. But that potential just fizzled out.

I am wondering if the film was directed solely toward pre-adolescents. Maybe they would think this film is hilarious. I found it to be pleasant, but not something I would recommend to anyone, and it's not really a film I'd care to see again.

I really enjoyed the movie. The movie depicts the life of a teen Greg (Zachary Gordon) who has his issues of longing to be famous in the middle school.He ranks himself 19 on the popularity list.He has a dream to fulfill.He considers his previous friends 'who were not able to grow up' according to him ... morons and tries to maintain his standard by keeping his distance from the infamous.His best friend Rowley however though weird in his ways,as Greg considers him 'still not Middle school ready',keeps on posing a threat to his popularity position. Chloe Moretz has a wonderful role herself in the movie however her appearance is short.But the story is however about the wimpy kid and hence that becomes justified.There are a lot of funny moments in the movie and you would smile every now and then on their innocence.There is one another character Fregley- Greg places him at the last position in the popularity list. There is this funny moment wherein whoever touches the piece of stale cheese is considered to have THE CHEESE TOUCH. Whoever touches that person takes with himself the cheese touch.Even a cockroach was concerned about its dignity. No matter how hard he tries he always gets branded every now and then as the douche.Eventually however Greg learns that it really doesn't matter if one is on the top of the popularity list in the school but what matters the most is being on the top of the list of your best friends. A little act of genius and sacrifice vindicates him eventually. I found the movie totally enjoyable as guys we were kids once remember after all ! We used to consider some little and petty things as important, didn't we ? The sequel to the movie - Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2: Rodrick Rules is set to hit the theaters in March 2011 and I'm looking forward to it as well. The movie was really cute and I wish everyone watches it although I'll give it a 6 as it wasn't excellent though but the movie is highly recommended if you want to relive a part of your past.