Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer

Nine-year-old, Makai Weber Colvin, a KIDS FIRST youth film critic reviewed the new "Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer" movie and couldn't have been more glowing in her comments: I liked this movie because it has a lot of fun and action in it. The super-silly mix of animation and live action, is the perfect way to tell this story, it makes you feel like you're actually there having fun with the characters. Jordana Beatty plays the part of Judy Moody, a young girl with a really wild imagination. When her summer plans get turned upside down, Judy starts a "Thrill Contest" with her three best friends. Unfortunately, all Judy's thrills get spoiled, until she joins her brother Stink on the hunt for Big Foot, who's been seen around their town. I really liked Aunt Opal, played by Heather Graham, because she's like a kid in a grown-up body. She makes every scene exciting. Judy's teacher, Mr. Todd, (Jaleel White), is every kid's dream – he's charming and makes learning a joyful adventure. If your summer is getting boring, or if you want to make it even more fun, check out "Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer" when it comes to a theater near you. I suggest this movie for kids of all ages and even most parents will like it. I give it five-out-of-five stars. Catch Judy Moody to make your summer a "Not Bummer."

In spite of a mediocre reception, Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer is a thoroughly delightful children's movie that brilliantly captures the spirit of the best-selling Judy Moody books. What must be taken into consideration is that this is not a "Mass Audience" movie, but a movie for fans of the book series and for anyone who is tired of seeing the same cookie-cutter family film with the same cookie-cutter jokes as the last twenty summer family films.

Jordana Beatty shines as the spunky, red-haired Judy who is determined to not have a bummer summer, aided by quirky little brother Stink and eccentric Aunt Opal. It is an admittedly simple plot, but an enjoyable one, complimented by great acting (a breath of fresh air for anyone who is a bit tired of the Disney Channel style of child acting) and wonderfully whimsical visuals.

In short, Judy Moody is a children's movie, not a surprise when one considers that it is based on a children's book series. In an age when so many "children's" movies contain off-color jokes and inappropriate content that might amuse the adults but mean very little to children, it's nice to find a children's film that can truly be called a children's film. It's a thrilladelic movie for a "non-mass" audience!

Judy says it also.

Thus, this movie is just amazing entertainment ! In the soup that's American TV (see « errand of angels » for more details), the advantage is that highly original movies just stand out easily !

So, when i was zapping channels in my hotel room, I spotted it immediately and my first impression lasted until the final credits. As « Max Keeble's Big Move », the movie is great as it really grasps what's to be a child ! Here, it's about the summer vacation and it's true that for all the kids who stays at home, this time can be dull and that finally school is better ! It's also accurate as it tells that the world seen trough child's' kids is just a endless source of thrills, surprise and fun ! You rejoice absurd club with your friends, everything can happen in your bedroom, your garden turns into a jungle and the city is a faraway country ! The movie also benefits from an amazing young cast, totally into their characters and the story ! I don't know if « Judy Moody » is an adaptation but the movie gives me interest to read her adventures so and i'm waiting for another screen adventure in Paris as they told us !

As you probably know, this film isn't very good. There are stereotypes, the plot and dialogue are basic at best, but worst of all it is almost interminably boring. The characters are vacuums for charisma and personality, with the exception of perhaps the little brother who plays the hyperactive annoying little boy role with alarming credibility. The whole 'thrill points' storyline wasn't fun or interesting.

The production department is the only one that comes out with any credit here: the bright, bold and colorful art direction injects the film with an energy and immediacy it hitherto would have lacked. The whole movie maintains this look, including the costumes and even the ice lollies - it is easily the most identifiable thing here.

Otherwise, there simply isn't enough in Judy Moody to keep a viewer of any age engrossed; if a film can't hold your attention it really has nothing. Aside from the promising first ten minutes this was a letdown.

I feel kind of sorry for this movie and the people involved in it, because it didn't really ask to be made.

I suspect they saw the success of Wimpy Kid and thought they'd ride that band wagon except this time...she's a girl.

I'd love to see more girls like this in the movies but this time round we just don't have a good vehicle for them.

I was aware of this character when I was 10 in 2003 though I never read her. I think they really reached into the barrel for her. This is like the eighth book in her franchise so I guess they were desperate to find one that could hold a feature length runtime.

It should have been a TV show if anything and I can feel how it could have worked in this format with its fourth wall breaks and fragmented structure. Even the Wimpy Kid movies tied themselves together by exploring a particular relationship (best friend, brother and Dad respectively).

But this has no real focal point, there isn't enough drive because there is not conflict beyond just Judy having a good time. it doesn't have enough whimsy or imagination to its gags to justify the formless nature of its plot, if you can call it a plot.

I like Judy and how she's written. She's the androgynous little girl that cinema has been needing and she's plays very well, it's just that this whole movie came from a bad place creatively. It was made under pressure by some spare screenwriters under the mandate of cigar biting executives.

Any fondness I have for this movie is a fondness for Judy herself.