Diary of a Wimpy Kid (PG)

I give this movie a 4 out of 5. If you have read the book, like I have, it was a real treat watching it be brought to life on the silver screen. It was a super cute, feel good movie with an important life lesson for all. This movie is centered around a boy, named Greg Heffley (Zachary Gordon), fresh out of elementary school, starting his first year of middle school. Greg's mission, by the end of the school year, is to work his way up from the middle of the cool kid's ladder to the top. There is just one problem, his long time best friend, Rowley Jefferson (Robert Capron). Rowley is still in a elementary school state of mind, and while that was fine last year, this year having him as a best friend is a bit embarrassing. Although, whenever Greg needs him, Rowley always has his back, like when he's being terrorized by his older brother Rodrick (Devin Bostick). Shortly after they arrive at school, Greg and Rowley meet Angie Steadman (Chloe Grace Moretz), a seventh grader who works for the school newspaper.  Throughout the year, she shares information with them and shows them the ropes about surviving middle school. At first, Greg stands behind his best friend's weird ways, but as the days progress, he notices that being seen with him is making him uncool.  So, he selfishly decides that it's time for his friend to have a makeover. Even though Greg urges Rowley to stick with his new makeover, with encouragement of Angie, he ultimately decides to go back to being himself. Greg also comes up with several ides that he thinks will propel himself up the social ladder.  But after failing miserably at each one, Greg realizes now he has dropped even lower on the social scale. While on winter break, Greg accidently breaks Rowley's hand and when they return to school, much to Greg's dismay, this makes Rowley very popular. As Rowley's popularity increases Greg jealousy increases and after a few unforgiven incidents by Greg, their friendship slowly falls apart. Rowley moves on and makes a new best friend. He is a lot like him, slightly "nerdy", and loves all the things he does. This makes Greg so upset that he too decides that he is going to get a new best friend. There are so many funny things that happen in this movie, I can't fit them all.  I absolutely adored this movie! It made me laugh, shed a few tears, and reminds you that, no matter what, you should always be true to yourself. Will Greg ever become popular?  Will he survive until the end of the year?  Will Rowley and Greg become best friends again? Who knows. I guess you will have to watch it and find out.  -Candie Bradfield

“Those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” — Bernard Baruch

---