Diário de um Banana

I haven't seen a film like this in ages, I can't even compare it to another. Fun for the kids and adults too. A kid starts middle school, making the transition from grade school and this film nicely deals with that chapter in a kid's life. The "cool" older brother who lives to antagonize you, the "yukky" baby brother who embarrasses you, the nerdy friend who makes you look bad, they're all there. Who can NOT relate? The direction is perfect, the film is paced properly and exactly.

Some really fantastic performances from these child actors and a storyline everyone can relate to. No foul language or sexual situations... wow! We went with two 8 year olds and a ten year old and they all loved it. For once, a film for everyone!

Unlike most movies dealing with adolescence (especially in school), this one doesn't preach or condescend. And it doesn't try too hard to be a good movie, or take itself seriously (at least not too seriously). What's more: the movie is (mostly) unpredictable. Especially fun is the moldy cheese sequence! It would have been nice to get to know the parents a little more. One quibble though: What exactly is the purpose of Chloe Moretz's character? She seems to only be around to give these two boys advice (or something like that). It's never explained what kind of person she is. Anyway, if you found your middle school years to be anything but satisfying, you will not only enjoy the picture, but relate to it as well.

*** out of ****

We went to see the Diary of a Wimpy Kid Movie this past week with a number of adults and kids and I have to say that everyone absolutely loved this movie. There is something for everyone to relate to in this movie, young or old. It stays true to the book which was a concern all of us had before seeing the movie. However, you don't have to read the book to enjoy this movie. In addition, the adaptation from the book to "silver screen" was one of the better ones I have seen and the transformation captured the essence of the story intact. There were a few additional scenes added to the movie that weren't in the book, but they kept in step with the story and didn't detract at all from the enjoyment of the film.

The cast was all well picked. The main character of the movie, Greg Heffley (played wonderfully by Zachary Gordon) stayed true to the book and he was totally believable. Everyone felt that this kid actor, Zach Gordon, did a great job of bringing life to this complex character and transforming Greg Heffley from a cartoon stick figure in the books to a real live person, while maintaining all his idiosyncrasies. It was also fun to watch him as, at times, he has these great facial expressions. The beauty of the movie was the added sensitivity and emotionality that presented itself in the film that wasn't available to us in the novel.

In the movie, Greg led us on an emotional roller-coaster ride throughout the film: first we liked him, then we hated him, then we felt sorry for him, then we loved him. His relationship with his best friend Rowley along with its ups and downs (hey, just like real life) was great for kids to see. For adults, it would remind us of the "real" friendships we had (from simpler times) in those early Jr. High School years. Before computers we had real "live" friendships and we really did go over to our friends' houses to "play".

I did not find the movie "trite" "predictable", or "slow". The comedy was evenly paced and kept the attention of the audience throughout, including my kids. This is a very entertaining movie that can be enjoyed by adults as well as kids. If you want a fun, witty, wholesome, and relatable story that will both touch and entertain you at the same time, go see this movie, it won't disappoint.

I really enjoyed the movie. The movie depicts the life of a teen Greg (Zachary Gordon) who has his issues of longing to be famous in the middle school.He ranks himself 19 on the popularity list.He has a dream to fulfill.He considers his previous friends 'who were not able to grow up' according to him ... morons and tries to maintain his standard by keeping his distance from the infamous.His best friend Rowley however though weird in his ways,as Greg considers him 'still not Middle school ready',keeps on posing a threat to his popularity position. Chloe Moretz has a wonderful role herself in the movie however her appearance is short.But the story is however about the wimpy kid and hence that becomes justified.There are a lot of funny moments in the movie and you would smile every now and then on their innocence.There is one another character Fregley- Greg places him at the last position in the popularity list. There is this funny moment wherein whoever touches the piece of stale cheese is considered to have THE CHEESE TOUCH. Whoever touches that person takes with himself the cheese touch.Even a cockroach was concerned about its dignity. No matter how hard he tries he always gets branded every now and then as the douche.Eventually however Greg learns that it really doesn't matter if one is on the top of the popularity list in the school but what matters the most is being on the top of the list of your best friends. A little act of genius and sacrifice vindicates him eventually. I found the movie totally enjoyable as guys we were kids once remember after all ! We used to consider some little and petty things as important, didn't we ? The sequel to the movie - Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2: Rodrick Rules is set to hit the theaters in March 2011 and I'm looking forward to it as well. The movie was really cute and I wish everyone watches it although I'll give it a 6 as it wasn't excellent though but the movie is highly recommended if you want to relive a part of your past.

This is a film for children. It's considered a family movie, but if you graduated from school you better skip it. The story of a 12-year-old who wants to be popular at a new school at all costs, but tries in the wrong and ugly ways, and after much peripeteia finally learns his lesson. The classic story of friendship, selfishness and sacrifice, bullying, complexes, and responsibilities ... there's nothing new that could interest anyone older than the movie's protagonists. It's not bad in any aspect, but it doesn't really stand out in any way either.

6/10