Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul (2017) – with an all-new cast from previous films

Nowadays, just about every other film is part of a series – from the endless superhero films to Harry Potter to Star Wars to… wimpy kids.

Do you know the latest Diary of A Wimpy Kid film, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul (2017) is the fourth instalment in the Wimpy Kid film series?

The first film was released as simply “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” in 2010. This was followed be a sequel, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules in 2011 and a third film, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days in 2012.

Following a five years hiatus, everyone thought the third film will be the last live action adaptation, but alas, a fourth film was released this year with an all-new cast. This is the problem with casting kids in your films. They grow up too fast. That’s why the Harry Potter films have to be shot back-to-back.

Synopsis:

The film takes place one year after the events of Dog Days. Greg Heffley, sheepish and agitated after an incident at “Corny’s Family-Style Restaurant”, decides to eliminate his humiliation by going to a video game convention where his idol, gamer Mac Digby, will be attempting to break a world record. He formulates a plan to use a family road trip to great-grandma Meemaw’s house for her 90th birthday as a way to sneak into the video game convention, as both events are being held in Indianapolis, Indiana. However, the family may be stalled due to Greg’s schemes, his brother Rodrick’s general obliviousness, and several strange occurrences which involve a pig the Heffleys win at a fair.

Trailer:

I have not watched any of the earlier Wimpy Kid films nor read any of the original books the films are based on. As such, I entered the cinema on a clean slate, with no previous experience to judge the cast of the fourth film against the earlier instalment.

I caught the preview screening together with my 6 years old son, Asher. This is the first time I brought him to watch a full-length non-animated film. Okay there is some animation at the beginning and at the ending, but most of the film features real-life actors. Thankfully, the film was entertaining and accessible enough for Asher to sit through the whole screening.

Asher got a little grumpy at the beginning before the family set off on their road trip. Once they hit the road, he was happily entertained by the gags and jokes all the way till the end.

Right towards the end of the film, Asher was laughing loudly at some of the end scenes and he was able to share his thoughts about each of the main characters after the film. His favourite character was the main protagonist Greg, because “he is very funny” and he dislike “Beardo”, the villain in the film.

For the little ones, this latest Wimpy Kid film definitely works.

How about for the adult?

I am always happy whenever I find kids friendly films with wholesome family values which I can enjoy together with my son. Diary of a Wimpy Kid is one such film series.

What to expect: simple storyline with predictable ending, slapstick gags which kids can understand, good moral values

What NOT to expect: finding the meaning of life, Oscar-winning acting or script, sex or violent scenes

It is now showing in Singapore cinemas, just in time for the June holidays! Bring your little ones to catch it! 🙂