What Is the Story About?
Diary Of A Wimpy Kid : Rodrick Rules follows Greg and Rodrick’s constant bickering and eventual bonding after a series of ups and downs they face together. One day Greg’s parents reveal that they are going away for the weekend. Rodrick decides to throw a party and asks Greg to call his friends over and help him. Greg invites Rowley and they both end up doing all the work. Rodrick locks them in the basement during the party. This upsets Greg and makes things worse between the Heffley brothers. Will Greg’s attempts to form a friendly bond with his brother Rodrick succeed?
Performances?
Much like its predecessor Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2021), Brady Noon voices Greg Heffley. He sounds adorable and his constant bickering with Ethan William Childress‘ Rowley Jefferson and Hunter Dillon‘s Rodrick Heffley keeps it going even when the film has nothing much to offer.
Analysis
Disney+ latest 3D animation offering ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid : Rodrick Rules’, directed by Luke Cormic has nothing new to offer especially for the audience who’ve watched and adored David Bowers’ 2011 live action rendition of the same. Based on a screenplay written by Jeff Kinney, and adapted from his book of same name, the latest Wimpy Kid film is as bland and banal as it’s prequel Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2021).
We are introduced to Greg and Rodrick’s relationship through Greg’s personal diary and voice-over. Greg looks up to his elder brother Rodrick and always dreamt of having himself taken under his brother’s wings. However, akin to most elder siblings Rodrick has so much air going on over him as he is supposedly the ‘cool kid’. He sometimes bullies Greg, uses him and even tricks him into doing certain things and chores. Diary of a Wimpy Kid : Rodrick Rules focusses on one such incident and how their patchy relationship evolves.
What follows is a series of incidents where the brothers attack and insult each other trying to one up each other. There’s nothing much happening besides few sweet moments here and there. There is no genuine moments of chuckle either. For an animated film of just an hour duration, Diary of a Wimpy Kid : Rodrick Rules already feels way too long. One of the most prominent reasons for the same is that the banter between the brothers or Greg and Rowley doesn’t come across natural. In comparison to the 2011 live action film, the characters don’t seem to carry a soul either.
In short, Diary of a Wimpy Kid : Rodrick Rules, is a boring and banal affair. If you’re already a fan of the book and live action films, this is something you wouldn’t need to spend your time on. However, if you’re totally new to the book and have an hour to kill, you may skim through the film.
Music and Other Departments?
John Paesano’s music is quite interesting. It does keep up with the requirements and expectations of a kids film and also amps up the energy at times when the proceedings get stagnant and tiring. The 3D animation is quite amateurish and so are the dialogues.
Highlights?
Music
Voice Cast
Core Story
Drawbacks?
Empty Writing
Flat Dialogues
Lack of Character Connect
Did I Enjoy It?
Not Really
Will You Recommend It?
No
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules Movie Review by Binged Bureau