Diario di una schiappa: Vita da cani

If you're a fan of the first 2 movies, you'll probably like this one, but somehow, the word "hilarity" doesn't much apply this time around. Maybe it's because Greg has gotten a little older, or maybe the scope of the movie is bigger, or maybe it's because Greg's family aren't seen much this time. Or maybe it's because nothing in Greg's life this time around seems to be truly at stake. Whatever the reason, the movie is slightly less funny. But the movie does have some interesting ideas, so I guess it's still worth the ticket price. Just don't keep your hopes up high, at least not in the laughs department.

*** out of ****

While The Diary of a Wimpy Kid books were a major hit, the movies never really seemed to hit all that big, but surprisingly have been doing just well enough under the radar to keep the series alive. The latest entry Dog Days brings back all the favorites, combining the third and fourth books in the series, but will it continue to deliver the fun of these characters or will their age slowly start becoming a factor finally close the book on the film series? Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days follows Greg as he hatches a plan to win the girl of his dreams during the summer, but as usual nothing is as simple as it seems for Greg Heffley. There aren't too many films like this that can entertain the adults just as much as the kids, but the Wimpy Kid series does just that. The stories are pretty simple and light on content, but carry just enough fun to keep everyone entertained. This latest entry works really well having numerous laugh out loud moments. While still not quite as entertaining as the first film in the series it does manage to step things up to entertain more than the last film Roderick Rules. All the original cast return and yes the kids are getting bigger, but thanks to the age they starting making these films, everyone is still believable in the grade they are mean to be in. There are a few characters here and there that just aren't all that well acted, but you somehow can let it go thanks to the fun you get with your leads. Sadly there just aren't enough of fan favorites Fregley and Chirag.

If you're looking for that fun film to take the family too without having to suffer through another cartoon or weird princess film, then this is a must see. While it helps to see the other films just to know the characters, you can pretty much watch this as a standalone film. Turn off your brain and have some family fun. No word if another film will becoming for this franchise, but there are still two other books to work from, so we can only hope.

http://www.examiner.com/movie-in-dallas/bobby-blakey

Diary Of A Wimpy: Dog Days is a very funny movie with great,innocent humor for the whole family to enjoy.I find the characters and scenes in the movie very funny and in the cinema,people of all ages where laughing.I love the books,a lot more than the films,as usual,because movies based on books always leave a lot of stuff out,and thats no exception with the Diary Of A Wimpy Kid movies,especially this one,because its a mix of two,The Last Strraw and Dog Days,but it still is quit enjoyable and the scenes stay true to the scenes there based off from the book.

Greg Heffley is gearing towards a summer of doing nothing but playing video games,but his dad is not allowing this and wants him doing more activities.Greg pretends to his dad he got a job at a country club,but hes really just going there with his best friend Rowley and his brother Rodrick to have a good time,and to speak to Holly Hills,a girl he likes.Gregs summer plans aren't going exactly as planned.

This is one franchise that continues to tickle my funny bone, without trying too hard. The third in the film series, I hope that it continues to tap onto the series of books by Jeff Kinney - seven in total as of now - before the principal cast members get fully grown up and aren't kids any more. For those who have yet to experience this simple, yet effective kids comedy, perhaps it is time to jump right in, and experience just what the appeal is.

The story leaves school for a bit, and is set during summer vacation, where every kid has plans of their own which may, and most likely, differ from their parents' expectations on how best to spend time. For Greg (Zachary Gordon) the main protagonist, it means a summer that's filled with endless computer gaming, which dad Frank (Steve Zahn) completely disapproves of, preferring that he hit the big outdoors in wilderness camp, or to take up a job somewhere to build some sense of responsibility. Then there is his crush Holly (Peyton List), who spends her time coaching junior tennis at a country club, with the only way in is as a guest of his best friend Rowley Jefferson (Robert Capron), although Rowley's family, especially his dad (Alf Humphreys), isn't really too fond of the friend of their son. And to add to that, Greg's brother Rodrick (Devon Bostick) threatens to expose Greg's cover for visiting the country club unless he gets invited himself to enjoy the facilities and to gawk at Holly's sister Heather (Melissa Roxburgh), and a new canine addition to the family.

Dog Days is pretty loaded, but these little episodes all shine in their own right, and made the entire film work. Directed by David Bowyers, who was also at the helm of the previous film, Dog Days the film taps from scenes in both The Last Straw and Dog Days books and is set primarily during vacation, which means a little bit of a pity when we don't get to see the other zany supporting characters that much, especially Greg's other schoolmates who are off to do their own thing, sporadically appearing only if they happen to be attending the same event from wilderness camp, to a book reading club started by Greg's mom. The focus gets centered mostly on family, be it Greg's or Rowley's, and takes a closer look at the father-son relationship in Greg and Frank, with the spectre of boarding school looming on the horizon should Frank decide to let someone else play the responsible role of bringing up useful folks to society.

While some may opine that Dog Days doesn't offer too much as compared to the previous Wimpy Kid films, I thought that formed part of its strength in having the cast being already so comfortable and familiar in their role, there's really no need to have them doing something too spectacular for the sake of. I mean, it's like friends hanging out, where one can have a good time all due to the presence of the other, and that's sufficient. But there's danger at being just sufficient, because familiarity may breed complacency, although the source material should be rich enough, or perhaps like this one having two books fuel a single film, for another film outing. At least it's not artificially expanded with the filmmaker's own imagination to stuff another film for additional box office revenue.

With nary a swear word nor embarrassing scenes which you have to explain to your kids thereafter, Diary of the Wimpy Kid continues to be a family and kid friendly outing that grows on you. It's funny without the reliance of the more adult comedy route of having to continuously swear or rely on nudity or slapstick to draw out laughter. Bring a kid to the screening, and I'm pretty sure they'll be entertained and tickled pink.

Consider this review for all the three movies - they ROCK! You can't expect a more detailed and as hilarious an adaption from the book to movie as this! They'll make you smile, laugh and relive the great time you had reading the books as well as your own childhood days. Great works of art by Jeff Kinney and Thor Freudenthal.