34 recensioni
I was dreading taking my nephews to this movie, as I didn't think it was going to be well done. The kids, ages 6 and 10 were set on seeing it, so I caved. I must admit that it was not nearly as bad as I had thought, but was still a far cry from the book. The movie seemed right on with the 10 year old's understanding and sense of humor. I found that the 6 year old understood what was going on and he was presenting solutions to the issues that were taking place. I eventually had to explain that sometimes the movies don't show the best solutions to the problems because it is more fun to watch what happens if they make the "silly" or "stupid" choices.
I remember first reading the classic book by Thomas Rockwell when I was in elementary school, but this movie is beyond an adaptation of the book. In fact, it is nowhere near as good as the book, despite some of the humor seen. It is one of the lamest examples of how someone can attempt to adapt a movie from page to screen. Some of the scenes in the movie aren't even from the book like the Brown Taod restaurant. Also, in the book, Billy Forrester (the main protagonist) has to eat a worm a day for fifteen days in a row. If you want to see a better version of Rockwell's book brought to the screen, check out the episode from CBS Storybreak on YouTube..
A couple of future Disney bubblegum teens Luke Benward and Adam Hicks are featured in this film from their salad just reaching puberty days. Benward is the new kid in town and Hicks is the one leading a bullying squad against him.
This all is because Benward spilled a can full of bait worms on the classroom floor. To the sound of the phrase 'worm boy' he brazens it out saying he enjoys them, they're quite the delicacy.
Only Hicks counters with one of those triple dog dares that you never turn down. Eat 10 of them on Saturday without upchucking some intestine and you win. What I'm not sure, but as we learn in A Christmas Story you don't turn down a triple dog dare.
Benward and Hicks had better things in their future. I swear though Hicks could be the illegitimate son of brat packer Anthony Michael Hall from the 80s. Both Hall and Hicks did better things than this film.
If your taste runs to films where all the adults are idiots this is definitely your kind of movie.
This all is because Benward spilled a can full of bait worms on the classroom floor. To the sound of the phrase 'worm boy' he brazens it out saying he enjoys them, they're quite the delicacy.
Only Hicks counters with one of those triple dog dares that you never turn down. Eat 10 of them on Saturday without upchucking some intestine and you win. What I'm not sure, but as we learn in A Christmas Story you don't turn down a triple dog dare.
Benward and Hicks had better things in their future. I swear though Hicks could be the illegitimate son of brat packer Anthony Michael Hall from the 80s. Both Hall and Hicks did better things than this film.
If your taste runs to films where all the adults are idiots this is definitely your kind of movie.
- bkoganbing
- 23 nov 2017
- Permalink
- ian_snively
- 2 gen 2014
- Permalink
It started out slow after an excellent animated intro, as the director had a bunch of characters and school setting to develop. Once the bet is on, though, the movie picks up the pace as it's a race against time to see if a certain number of worms can be eaten by 7 pm. We had a good opportunity on the way home to discuss some things with our son: bullies, helping others, mind over matter when you don't want to do something.
Of special note is the girl who played Erica (Erk): Hallie Kate Eisenberg. The director kinda sneaks her in unexpectedly, and when she is on-screen she is captivating. She's one of those "Hey, she looks familiar" faces, and then I remembered that she was the little girl that Pepsi featured about 8 years ago. She was also in "Paulie", that movie about the parrot who tries to find his way home.
Ms. Eisenberg made many TV and movie appearances in '99-00, but then was not seen much for the next few years. She's now 14 and is growing up to be a beautiful woman. Her smile really warms up the screen. If she can get some more good roles she could have as good a career (or better?) than Haley Joel Osment, another three named kid actor, but hopefully without some of the problems that Osment has been in lately.
Anywhozitz, according to my 8 y.o. son, who just finished reading the story, the film did not seem to follow the book all that well, but was entertaining none the less. The ending of the film seemed like a big setup for some sequels (How to Eat Boiled Slugs? Escargot Kid's Style?), which might not be such a bad thing. It was nice to take the family to a movie and not have to worry about language, violence or sex scenes.
One other good aspect of the movie was the respect/fear engendered by the principal Mr. Burdock (Boilerplate). Movies nowadays tend to show adult authority figures as buffoons. While he has one particular goofy scene, he ruled the school with a firm hand. It was also nice to see Andrea Martin getting some work.
Of special note is the girl who played Erica (Erk): Hallie Kate Eisenberg. The director kinda sneaks her in unexpectedly, and when she is on-screen she is captivating. She's one of those "Hey, she looks familiar" faces, and then I remembered that she was the little girl that Pepsi featured about 8 years ago. She was also in "Paulie", that movie about the parrot who tries to find his way home.
Ms. Eisenberg made many TV and movie appearances in '99-00, but then was not seen much for the next few years. She's now 14 and is growing up to be a beautiful woman. Her smile really warms up the screen. If she can get some more good roles she could have as good a career (or better?) than Haley Joel Osment, another three named kid actor, but hopefully without some of the problems that Osment has been in lately.
Anywhozitz, according to my 8 y.o. son, who just finished reading the story, the film did not seem to follow the book all that well, but was entertaining none the less. The ending of the film seemed like a big setup for some sequels (How to Eat Boiled Slugs? Escargot Kid's Style?), which might not be such a bad thing. It was nice to take the family to a movie and not have to worry about language, violence or sex scenes.
One other good aspect of the movie was the respect/fear engendered by the principal Mr. Burdock (Boilerplate). Movies nowadays tend to show adult authority figures as buffoons. While he has one particular goofy scene, he ruled the school with a firm hand. It was also nice to see Andrea Martin getting some work.
I have to admit I did not finish this movie because it was so amazingly stupid and not worth watching. I watched it with a room full of kids, who also were not laughing at the stupid and crude humor. The director, Bob Dolman, seems to be so obsessed with sphincters and genitalia that it overrides the real story that I grew up with. THIS IS NOT A GOOD FILM FOR KIDS! Besides the fact that the content is so crude, the movie is just stupid has bad flow and has no intelligence behind it. What a waste of a perfectly good story. If you read the book when you were younger and loved it, then don't waste your time watching a movie that so badly botches it that it makes you angry. Buy your kids the book instead.
I sat with my children as we watched this film. We all found it to be a very entertaining movie.
When Billy goes to a new school, a fifth grade bully starts stuff with him and this is what leads to the eating of worms.
A bet is made and Billy has only so much time to eat 10 worms or else. From this point the bully and his friends try to come up with nasty ways to cook, fry or bake the worms to try and get Billy sick so that he will lose the bet.
Billy stays strong and eats his way into becoming liked more and more by everyone, even the bullies friends.
I wont tell you if he wins the bet or not...you will just need to watch it to find out but I will think that if you like good family movies you will like this one.
P.S. Let me add that this movie is not just for boys, I have all daughters and they really liked it a lot.
When Billy goes to a new school, a fifth grade bully starts stuff with him and this is what leads to the eating of worms.
A bet is made and Billy has only so much time to eat 10 worms or else. From this point the bully and his friends try to come up with nasty ways to cook, fry or bake the worms to try and get Billy sick so that he will lose the bet.
Billy stays strong and eats his way into becoming liked more and more by everyone, even the bullies friends.
I wont tell you if he wins the bet or not...you will just need to watch it to find out but I will think that if you like good family movies you will like this one.
P.S. Let me add that this movie is not just for boys, I have all daughters and they really liked it a lot.
- swapshopman
- 28 ago 2006
- Permalink
So I put this on for my three year old Daughter, instead of watching a nice kids film we watch a film where the kid is bullied throughout the film, he is actually made to eat worms. We are supposed to believe that in some way the bully learns his lesson as he loses his friends, but the fact is that that is simply not enough, as the abuse suffered by the boy is never even nearly revenged, it's basically child abuse by children, very humiliating for the boy, traumatic, depressing, and misses the point completely, this is a 'Pro Bully' film. The writer and / or Director must like bullies and what they do. A disgraceful film, I actually feel guilty for having let my child watch this, but I never imagined someone would be so dumb to make a film that enjoys torturing a good kid. He gets called 'Worm Boy' at least one hundred times throughout the movie, the Director directs him to laugh a lot, as if this can somehow convince the audience that he's really not bothered about the abuse.
Disgraceful story, disgraceful film, I know who I'd like to make eat worms. Now I need to go and punch myself in the face as my Daughter looks quite upset.
Disgraceful story, disgraceful film, I know who I'd like to make eat worms. Now I need to go and punch myself in the face as my Daughter looks quite upset.
- buddybickford
- 24 ott 2010
- Permalink
- tikalgirl52
- 4 ott 2007
- Permalink
My wife and I took our 13 year old son to see this film and were absolutely delighted with the winsome fun of the film. It has extra appeal to boys and men who remember their childhood, but even women enjoy the film and especially Hallie Kate Eisenberg's refrain, "Boys are so weird." It's refreshing to see a film that unapologetically shows that boys and girls are indeed different in their emotional and social makeup. Boys really do these kinds of strange things and usually survive to tell the story and scare their mothers silly! We enjoyed the film so much that my son and an 11 year old friend, myself and my daughters 23 year old boyfriend went to see the movie the next day for a guys day out. We had even more fun the second time around and everyone raved about it. It's clean and delightfully acted by a pre-adolescent cast reminiscent of the TV Classic "Freaks and Geeks". We all feel it will become a sleeper hit not unlike the "Freaks & Geeks" which didn't survive its first season but sold-out its DVD release. Do see it especially if you have boys and you'll find it stimulates conversation about fun and safety! Girls will love it because of the opportunity it affords to say, "Boys are so weird!" Don't miss it...
it's a weekend i've been watched this funny film. and i really like it. all the kids are cute, who remind me of my own childhood with those stupid thinking. it's a real entertaining movie for a group of families at weekend night, which could make lots of memories and laughters. Kid's humor always work. nice acting as well. simple story but cool shooting. nice job for directer to find the kid's way. when it comes to the kid movie, i think of "12 and holding". another one this year but differed aspect to the kid's world, which is real and cruel. awesome work. H2EFW focuses on the happy side of childhood, which every kid and family need. p.s. Twitch, i think, is the voice of Nemo from "Finding Nemo".
This is a pretty bad movie. It looks really cheap and all the actors are terrible. I'm not just talking about the child actors, everyone here is pretty bad. Overall the movie is just gross and pointless.
The only reason why I watched this is because my brother read the book and wanted to see the movie. Apparently it is extremely inaccurate to the book. I don't really care, but even fans of this nonsense don't like it.
The only reason why I watched this is because my brother read the book and wanted to see the movie. Apparently it is extremely inaccurate to the book. I don't really care, but even fans of this nonsense don't like it.
- invisibleunicornninja
- 10 mag 2018
- Permalink
This movie has an interesting premise and all the actors have done a good job. But there is not enough plot to make it past 40 minute mark. However movies just goes on one hour after that by repeating the same things again and again.
I can't argue with the intentions of the movie. It is a very well intended and sweet family film. It is about bullying and friendship and about kids being kids. But there is a lot of repetition. I think I would have loved it if it had more plot wise.
As it stands now, I would recommend it only for kids. Adults are just going to get bored after half an hour.
I can't argue with the intentions of the movie. It is a very well intended and sweet family film. It is about bullying and friendship and about kids being kids. But there is a lot of repetition. I think I would have loved it if it had more plot wise.
As it stands now, I would recommend it only for kids. Adults are just going to get bored after half an hour.
- princebansal1982
- 26 giu 2011
- Permalink
I really liked the movie. I remember reading it several times as a kid and was glad to see a movie had been made about the book.
I was kid-sitting for a boy and a girl, ages 11 and 8 and had to talk the girl in to seeing the movie. But happily, at the end, she was glad she saw it and even said that she wanted to buy it on DVD as soon as it came out.
There were some great laugh-out-loud moments and the movie was not as "gross" as I expected it would be ... tho it did rank pretty high up there on the gross-o-meter ...
The only thing I cannot figure out is why they had to have the "dilly" line in there that was done by Woody in reference to his private part ... that to me was the only shocker moment (and you could hear the adults in the audience audibly gasp at that moment in the movie) ... I have no clue why that was put in the movie; it added nothing to the actual movie except for that shock/gasp factor ... other than that, a pretty good movie. Nice to see the "Pepsi" girl all grown up.
I was kid-sitting for a boy and a girl, ages 11 and 8 and had to talk the girl in to seeing the movie. But happily, at the end, she was glad she saw it and even said that she wanted to buy it on DVD as soon as it came out.
There were some great laugh-out-loud moments and the movie was not as "gross" as I expected it would be ... tho it did rank pretty high up there on the gross-o-meter ...
The only thing I cannot figure out is why they had to have the "dilly" line in there that was done by Woody in reference to his private part ... that to me was the only shocker moment (and you could hear the adults in the audience audibly gasp at that moment in the movie) ... I have no clue why that was put in the movie; it added nothing to the actual movie except for that shock/gasp factor ... other than that, a pretty good movie. Nice to see the "Pepsi" girl all grown up.
- jake_gyllenhaalic
- 9 set 2006
- Permalink
Squeamish 11-year-old Luke Benward (as Billy "Worm Boy" Forrester) moves to a new town. At his new school, young Benward is picked on by the other boys. They put worms in his thermos. Getting his gag reflex under control, Benward tosses a worm on freckle-faced bully Adam Hicks (as Joe Guire). Benward bets he can eat 10 worms in one day - without regurgitation!
Tall, teased Hallie Kate Eisenberg (as Erika "Erk" Tansy) uses her archery skills to help Benward. Director and former SCTV writer Bob Dolman promises, "No worms were harmed in the making of this movie." In a related note, SCTV star Andrea Martin has one funny scene. "How to Eat Fried Worms" is loosely based on Thomas Rockwell's popular novel. Pre-teen kids into gross-outs should enjoy the film.
**** How to Eat Fried Worms (8/25/06) Bob Dolman ~ Luke Benward, Adam Hicks, Hallie Kate Eisenberg, Alexander Gould
Tall, teased Hallie Kate Eisenberg (as Erika "Erk" Tansy) uses her archery skills to help Benward. Director and former SCTV writer Bob Dolman promises, "No worms were harmed in the making of this movie." In a related note, SCTV star Andrea Martin has one funny scene. "How to Eat Fried Worms" is loosely based on Thomas Rockwell's popular novel. Pre-teen kids into gross-outs should enjoy the film.
**** How to Eat Fried Worms (8/25/06) Bob Dolman ~ Luke Benward, Adam Hicks, Hallie Kate Eisenberg, Alexander Gould
- wes-connors
- 25 ott 2009
- Permalink
Let's keep it simple: My two kids were glued to this movie. It has its flaws from an adult perspective, but buy some jelly-worms and just enjoy it.
And the Pepsi girl was excellent!
And Kimberly Williams was pretty gosh-darned hot, although she's not in the film very much, so don't get too excited there.
Not that's it's really a bad thing, but it is the kind of movie you watch just once. Don't buy the DVD.
Enjoy!
Did I mention Kimberly Williams? (That was for the dads.)
And the Pepsi girl was excellent!
And Kimberly Williams was pretty gosh-darned hot, although she's not in the film very much, so don't get too excited there.
Not that's it's really a bad thing, but it is the kind of movie you watch just once. Don't buy the DVD.
Enjoy!
Did I mention Kimberly Williams? (That was for the dads.)
- Robert_Hearth
- 3 mar 2007
- Permalink
This is a good movie, a good family movie to watch if you have nothing else to do. If you are expecting this movie to be word to word from the book, you will be very very disappointed. I was somewhat disappointed because I read the book a few times when I was in elementary school.
This is about a new kid in town named Billy. He makes a bet with the school bully and the bet is not like most bets. Billy has to eat 10 worms in one day or the bully wins.
The acting is OK, probably the worst part of the movie. The kid actors over exaggerate on many things. They think it's apocalypse if Billy does not eat the worms. Hallie Eisenberg did a magnificent job, though.
The plot line is good as a movie, but it sucks as a book adaptation. I was able to watch this movie without looking at the time....sometimes.
Overall, this was a good family movie with some weak points. I rate this movie 7/10.
This is about a new kid in town named Billy. He makes a bet with the school bully and the bet is not like most bets. Billy has to eat 10 worms in one day or the bully wins.
The acting is OK, probably the worst part of the movie. The kid actors over exaggerate on many things. They think it's apocalypse if Billy does not eat the worms. Hallie Eisenberg did a magnificent job, though.
The plot line is good as a movie, but it sucks as a book adaptation. I was able to watch this movie without looking at the time....sometimes.
Overall, this was a good family movie with some weak points. I rate this movie 7/10.
I definitely can see how this might be a great movie and nostalgic for people in the 2020's. If this movie came out when I was 10 I would've absolutely loved it. It has a good sense of adventure, great child actors, and is paced well. I will however say that this movie walked so Diary of a Wimpy Kid could run. I feel like everything this movie got wrong, Diary of a Wimpy Kid got right, and I'm not even saying Diary of A Wimpy Kid was some kind of perfect movie, but it definitely felt more like a movie than this. How to Eat Fried Worms felt like a high production Disney tv movie. I think a lot of reviewers missed the mark and the plot went over their head. Yea, there's some bullying and stuff but it's about overcoming adversities. Taking pride in who you are as a person and not letting people get to you. Yea, the book is pretty different, but the movie is great for kids.
- Ronald_Mexico
- 9 ott 2006
- Permalink
- Ali_John_Catterall
- 14 nov 2009
- Permalink
I remembered this as being one of my favorite books as a child and had been wanting to read it to my 5 year old daughter for a while now. I knew the movie was coming out soon so we went to the library to get the book and they gave us preview passes for the next day! We rushed home and spent the afternoon reading the book so we could compare. Wasn't necessary. The only thing in common between the book and the movie is the main characters' first name, the fact that there is a bet, and a whole lot of worm eating. Oh yeah, I almost forgot, the kid who cooks most of the worms likes to present his masterpieces with a french accent. How the kids know each other, the number of kids involved, how the bet came about, the number of worms that must be eaten, the time frame in which he has to eat the worms, how they are cooked, progression of friendships, climax scenes, etc., NOTHING is the same. But somehow, it did not ruin the movie for me. The characters are all enjoyable, and the film did not leave me disappointed. Word of caution for parents, there was one moment when you could hear the adults in the room collectively draw their breath and that was when Billy's little brother referred to his penis as a "dilly dick". The embarrassing part came when my daughter proceeded to ask those sitting around us, "Does anybody know what a dilly dick is?" lol. That and an occasional "shut up" is as foul mouthed as this film gets. My daughter thought she might get sick around worm 3 and 4 (and was holding the empty nacho container just in case) but was fine by worm 6. She and I both really enjoyed the film and had a wonderful time sharing the experience.
- tammywsmith
- 20 ago 2006
- Permalink
- A2003sportsfan
- 24 dic 2006
- Permalink
Pre-adolescent humor is present in large quantities. The acting and story are wonderful if you can stomach the concept. Those with weak constitutions will have some difficulty since the "worms" are realistic enough to cause churning of more than a few in the audience.
Tom Cavanagh and Hallie Kate Eisenberg stole the spotlight, but the young Ty Panitz could get some serious time on screen over the next few years.
Miss Eisenberg has developed from a cute face into a strong young actress with charm and wonderful comic delivery.
The story does a spectacular job in dealing with bullying, friendship, and fairness. It creates an opportunity to discuss these topics in an open and frank manner while recalling some "gross" scene from the film.
Tom Cavanagh and Hallie Kate Eisenberg stole the spotlight, but the young Ty Panitz could get some serious time on screen over the next few years.
Miss Eisenberg has developed from a cute face into a strong young actress with charm and wonderful comic delivery.
The story does a spectacular job in dealing with bullying, friendship, and fairness. It creates an opportunity to discuss these topics in an open and frank manner while recalling some "gross" scene from the film.
- Hattrick-2
- 18 ago 2006
- Permalink
After being forced to sit through some real stinkers (Racing Stripes, Shark Boy and Lava Girl) -- I truly enjoyed watching "Fried Worms". For once, I did not guess the ending! It was funny and entertaining and didn't resort to a ton of gross-out humor, despite the title. My boys (6 and 10) both LOVED it too -- oh and my 45 year old "boy" had a smile on his face the whole time. This is a family movie that is not just tolerable for the parents. The relationship with the little brother is so close to real life. "He is not stopping singing just to annoy me!!" Also, the way the new kid tries to make friends and how those friendships actually form is right-on with the way kids behave. Of course the parents have to act a little goofy -- but my favorite scenes involved the Dad getting used to his new job. Have fun!