Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules

While the first film was mildly enjoyable, the follow-up is total hell on Earth. Zachary Gordon returns as Greg, now in the seventh grade and still battling his classmates and his cruel brother, Rodrick (Devon Bostick). The sequel deals more with their brotherly relationship, and how much they suck as siblings. Rodrick locks his brother in a basement and allows him to sit on a chocolate bar before attending church. Director David Bowers, who has specialized in so-so animation (Astro Boy, Flushed Away), seems lost when it comes to people with pulses. Steve Zahn gets a couple of laughs as the intense father, but that’s it. I’d like to say this could be it for the Wimpy Kid movies, but I have a sinking feeling there will be more.