By: debbie lynn elias
For devotees young and old alike of Jeff Kinney’s best-selling WIMPY KID book series and subsequent film franchise, the wait for this summer’s next installment is finally over and I know one kid in particular who will be overjoyed this weekend when DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: DOG DAYS hits theatres nationwide. So excited with the WIMPY KID books and the first two film adaptations, my nephew Tommy began excitedly chomping at the bit for WIMPY KID: DOG DAYS back in April. There’s just something about our hero, Greg Heffley, that touches a chord within each of us, especially kids. Based on the third and fourth books in the series, The Last Straw and Dog Days, director David Bowers, together with screenwriters Maya Forbes and Wallace Wolodarsky, and all under the ever guiding light of Jeff Kinney, bring us what, I believe, is one of the best adaptations in the franchise. Filled with fun, laughter and non-stop hijinks involving Greg, his older brother Rodrick, and Greg’s best friend Rowley, sibling love and rivalry abound as do the usual summer vacation antics of best friends in a small suburban town.
It’s the end of eighth grade and time for summer vacation. Looking forward to kicking back and doing nothing but eat, sleep, play video games, hang out with his best friend Rowley and dream of meeting up with his puppy dog love, Holly, life is looking pretty good to Greg Heffley; that is, until his parents, Frank and Susan, decide itfs time for him to learn about responsibility and productivity. In other words, itfs time to go to work with dad and perform slave labor for free. Yuck! But luckily for Greg, before his days of toil and sweat can start, Rowley invites him to the members only country club. And who should he see at the club? None other than Holly who is spending her time giving tennis instruction to little kids. Is this summer gonna be great, or what! Knowing that he just “has to” hang at the club with Rowley in order to be near Holly, Greg puts a not-too-well-thought-out plan into action. He tells his parents he can’t work with dad because he got a job at the country club. Way to go, Greg! Er, or not. Oops! Now Greg not only has to keep his parents from finding out the truth, he has to keep it from Rodrick.
As we all know, it’s pretty hard to keep secrets from older siblings and it’s not long before Rodrick discovers what Greg is up to. Stuck between a rock and a hard place, Greg has no choice but to succumb to Rodrick’s wishes in exchange for Rodrick’s silence (a.k.a., blackmail) if he’s to have a summer of fun and be with Holly. But what happens when Greg not only has to sneak himself into the country club every day, but Rodrick as well, then charges a fortune in smoothies and snacks on Rowley family tab and thanks to his lies, risks losing his best friend?
Reprising their well familiar roles from the prior WIMPY KID films are Zachary Gordon, Devon Bostick, Steve Zahn and Rachel Harris as the Heffley family – Greg, Rodrick, Frank and Susan. Joining in the fun again are also Robert Capron as the lovable and loyal Rowley, and Peyton List as Holly Hills.
Zahn is pure magic as the often hapless Frank, striking a comfortable balance between slapstick and parental responsibility. Similarly, Harris has the perfect vocal inflections and intonations for a very very upset mother, something that will have kids shaking their heads in knowing understanding.
The real fun, adventure and excitement, however, comes from Gordon, Capron and Bostick. Each of their performances is so real, so authentic and so genuine, there is never any doubt that Greg and Rowley are best buds or that Greg and Rodrick are brothers. Every scene, schtick, piece of dialogue is so organic, natural and free-flowing itfs as if you are actually stepping into their shoes experiencing everything first hand.
Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules director David Bowers returns to helm DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: DOG DAYS. Ensconced in the franchise, Bowers knows these characters like the back of his hand and stays true to not only the books, but the screenplay adaptation. The characters and situations are never compromised or “out of character”, something directly attributable to writers Maya Forbes and Wallace Wolodarsky. Celebrating and embracing the joys of youth and the vivid emotional touchstones of summer vacation, humor rises to the forefront as it cleverly conceals some powerful messages about honesty, friends and family.
Rather than stagnate, the story and the characters are allowed to grow, just like real life. Moving into the “coming-of-age” period of growing up, relationships progress and the emotional dynamics gradually shift with tone as we delve deeper into father-son and first love elements of life. Zahn and Gordon beautifully capture the peaks and valleys of this dynamic with thoughtfulness and humor, and never dumbing down to the audience. In many ways, the life lessons of WIMPY KID as a whole are very Brady-esque and very welcome in today’fs world.
Don’t let the dog days of summer get you down! DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: DOG DAYS is filled with laughter, love and fun for the whole family.
Cast: Zachary Gordon, Devon Bostick, Steve Zahn and Rachel Harris as the Heffley family – Greg, Rodrick, Frank and Susan; Robert Capron as Rowley; Peyton List as Holly Hills.
Director: David Bowers
Writers: Maya Forbes, Jeff Kinney, Gabe Sachs and Wallace Wolodarsky based on the book by Jeff Kinney
