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Wimpy Kid Loses Something in Translation

It doesn't happen often, but occasionally, Hollywood surprises me. Every so often, those California filmmakers manage to produce a movie I like better than the book on which it's based. Diary of a Wimpy Kid, for example. While Jeff Kinney's novel in cartoons is funny, a fleshed-out storyline coupled with excellent casting, makes the film version hysterical. On-screen, Greg Heffley's story even becomes heartwarming. What never really occurs in the novel plays out in bright Technicolor on the big screen - our scrawny, 7th grade hero learns that there's more to life than following the crowd.

(Readalikes: The other Diary of a Wimpy Kid books; the Dear Dumb Diary series by Jim Benton)
6 comments:
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ReplyDeleteI truly do love these books. Mostly, I think, because they pin down what life for jr. high kid is really like. I haven't seen the movie yet but am really looking forward to renting it soon...maybe this weekend!
ReplyDeleteOoh, and I'd heard the movie was lame. Now I will have to check it out!
ReplyDeleteI guess I will have to check out the movie too. I usually dont like to watch movies of the books I read but I will try this one .
ReplyDeleteWe love the Wimpy kids books simply because they are hysterical. Seriously, we are laughing so hard, we have to wipe our cheeks, and wait for the snorting to subside before we can turn the page. I'll warn you, the main kid doesn't grow up any more in the fourth book than he does the first. There's not really any plot. It's just anecdotal.
ReplyDeleteI was really disappointed by the movie. I didn't like it half as much as the book, but that's probably because it just wasn't as funny. Or maybe my son and I just have too much fun picturing things in our head, and it wasn't the same on film.
EF - Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteSuey - Well said. I agree.
Melissa - I guess not everyone agrees with me about the movie, but I really enjoyed it. Like Susan said, the book is very anecdotal - the movie, on the other hand, had a discernable plot.
Laura H - I usually don't either, but my kids rented it and BEGGED me to watch it with them. So, I caved :)
Susan - See, I probably should have read the books first. I do like having a plot, though - pure anecdote drives me a little nuts.
I really liked the movie. I thought the casting was perfect. I mean, could the kid playing Fregley have been any better? Loved him.