Rated PG for some rude humor and language.
Directed by Thor Freudenthal (Hotel for Dogs)
Starring Zachary Gordon, Robert Capron, Steve Zahn, Rachael Harris
I'll be famous one day, but for now I'm stuck in middle school with a bunch of morons. With a tagline like that, how could I not love it?
To Greg Heffley (Zachary Gordon), middle school is the dumbest idea ever invented. It's a place rigged with hundreds of social landmines, not the least of which are morons, wedgies, swirlies, bullies, lunchtime banishment to the cafeteria floor – and a festering piece of cheese with nuclear cooties. To survive the never-ending ordeal and attain the recognition and status he feels he so richly deserves, Greg devises an endless series of can't-miss schemes, all of which, of course, go awry. And he's getting it all down on paper, via a diary – “it's NOT a diary, it's a journal!” Greg insists, preferring the less-sissyfied designation – filled with his opinions, thoughts, tales of family trials and tribulations, and (would-be) schoolyard triumphs. “One day when I'm famous,” writes Greg, “I'll have better things to do than answer peoples' stupid questions all day.” So was born the Wimpy Kid's diary.
My 8-year old, Caleb, and I recently got to spend the day together and at the top of our list…checking out the Diary of a Wimpy Kid. I’m so glad we did. Not only is the movie hilarious, but there are some fantastic lessons to be learned.
Let’s jump right in. If you are a youth pastor or a parent of a middle-schooler you recognize Greg Heffley and Rowley Jefferson…and as soon as you see them you will crack up. You know those awkward middle-schoolers who are still growing into their own skin, trying so hard to fit in or hang onto their fleeting childhood. Well the cast and director of Diary of a Wimpy Kid capture some of those moments with such perfection it’s a little scary. My favorite was when Rowley asks Greg to come over to “play” in front of a bunch of older boys. Oh man, I actually started sweating.
And again if you spend any amount of time with middle-schoolers you know that gross factor goes to all new levels. My absolute favorite scene involved a booger and an apology…so classic.
Caleb and I have read some of the books and we agree this one did the books justice. It’s Theater Worthy for sure.
SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
Sure there are some gross-out moments that include boogers, shirtless jr. highers and rotten cheese, but overall I would say yes.
Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):
Q: What was the theme (or the message) of this movie?
A: The undeniable message of this movie revolves around how we treat our friends. We have to be loyal to our friends, no matter what.
Q: What can we—as serious Christ-followers—take away from this movie?
A: We need to understand how important it is to take care of our friends. If we know what’s important to them, we need to help them achieve that. When Greg betrayed Rowley to protect himself, he cost Rowley his position on the school patrol. It devastated Rowley and almost cost them their friendship.
What Greg did to Rowley wasn’t loving at all. We cannot make his mistake with our friends.
Q: How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?
A: We need to understand how to be a better friend. For that to happen, we need to turn our attention to the greatest Friend in history, Jesus. In John 15:12-15, Jesus explains what a person does for friends.
12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.
If we want great friends, we have to be a great friend. If we are to be a great friend, we have to love others like Jesus loves them. Period.
We have to put others first. We have to make sacrifices.
