Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules parents guide

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules Parent Guide

Though parents wouldn't want every antic in this film repeated at home, there is a glimmer of hope that somewhere in the future, these two siblings might like each other. What more could a mom want?

Overall B+

The trials and triumphs of junior high continue for Greg Heffley (Zachary Gordon) and his friends Rowley, Chirag and Fregley (Robert Capron, Karan Brar and Grayson Russell). But if school wasn't bad enough on its own, Greg's anxieties increase when his parents insist on some brotherly bonding between the preteen and his older brother Rodrick (Devon Bostick).

Release date March 25, 2011

Violence B
Sexual Content A
Profanity B+
Substance Use A-

Why is Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules rated PG? The MPAA rated Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules PG for some mild rude humor and mischief.

Run Time: 100 minutes

Official Movie Site

Parent Movie Review

Summer is over and Greg (Zachary Gordon), Rowley (Robert Capron), Fregley (Grayson Russell) and Chirag (Karan Brar) are heading back to class. Having survived their first year of middle school in Diary of a Wimpy Kid, they aren’t quite so worried about the bell ringing, especially when they meet the new girl Holly Hills (Peyton List).

But this sequel spends far less time in the classroom than is does on the home front. Fed up with her boys constant bickering, Susan Heffley (Rachael Harris) instigates a reward scheme to help change their behavior. Promising them a Mom Dollar for every hour they spend together without fighting, she hopes to see an improvement in their relationship.

Greg’s older brother Rodrick (Devon Bostick) just sees it as a get-rich-quick-scheme where all he has to do is bully Greg into never tattling on him. The first test of their "Be Nice to Your Brother" initiative comes when their parents leave them at home alone for the weekend—with strict instructions NOT to have anyone over.

It is doesn’t take any parental intuition to know that Mom and Dad (Steve Zahn) won’t even be out of the driveway before Rodrick’s text invitations start flying. Coerced into helping before he is locked in the basement, Greg isn’t quite so happy about the arrangement until he finds a way to escape. When their parents return prematurely the next morning, the boys have only an hour to clean up a mess that would realistically take the better part of day. Nevertheless Rodrick and Greg do it and then the two partners-in-crime make a pact to never reveal the events of the previous night.

Luckily these siblings have involved parents who expect family participation in school and community events, church attendance and home activities. Yet that doesn’t mean things always run smoothly. While the schoolyard bullying that was prevalent in the first film doesn’t show up as much in this one, there are some moments of mean-spirited sibling rivalry. And when Rodrick finally concedes to spending time with his younger brother, the advice he gives to Greg isn’t necessarily of the caliber that will put the younger boy on the path to success.

Still this film offers some engaging moments for both parents and kids. Having launched my own version of Mom Dollars with my children, I know the efforts parents will go to encourage peace the house. And Rachael Harris’ role as an exuberant mother plays nicely against Steve Zahn’s laidback father figure. (Laidback at least until his children mess with his Civil War figurines.)

Greg and his peers also give a nice screen presence to some film personalities that we rarely see. Rowley, though naïve, proves to be compassionate and profoundly astute about life. Fregley and Chirag add their own brand of humor and insightfulness to this little group of schoolmates. And Holly turns out to be more than just a pretty face.

Though parents likely wouldn’t want every antic in this film repeated at home, there is a glimmer of hope that somewhere in the near or distant future, these two siblings might even like each other. And what more could a mom want.

Directed by David Bowers . Starring Zachary Gordon, Devon Bostick, Robert Capron. Running time: 100 minutes. Theatrical release March 25, 2011. Updated

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules
Rating & Content Info

Why is Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules rated PG? Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules is rated PG by the MPAA for some mild rude humor and mischief.

Violence: An older brother frequently bullies and harasses his younger sibling, including locking him in the basement and driving wildly. Two boys wrestle on the floor during a church service. A younger boy teases and bullies his peers on several occasions. A group of older women grab hold of a boy.

Sexual Content: Older women are seen in swimsuits at a pool.

Language: The script contains brief name-calling, some bathroom language and a term of Deity.

Alcohol / Drug Use: Adults drink wine with dinner.

Other: The movie contains a "poop" gag when a boy gets chocolate on his pants.

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Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules Parents' Guide

Greg suffers from middle child syndrome. What are the challenges of having an older and younger sibling?

What secrets do this family keep? Is there a different between a lie and a secret. How can we teach children the difference? What sacrifices does Greg’s mother make for the sake of peace in the home? Is she unrealistic to expect her sons to get along?

What consequences do the kids have for their actions in this movie? Are they realistic? Would they be different in your family? Does Rodrick deserve to be forgiven for the things he does?

 

Home Video

The most recent home video release of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules movie is June 21, 2011. Here are some details…

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules releases to home video on June 21, 2011. The movie will be available in the following packages:

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules 1-Disc DVD

- Feature Film on DVD

- My Summer Vacation (includes 2 short films)

- Theatrical Trailer

- Audio Commentary

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules 2-Disc DVD (Catalog #50986)

- Feature Film on DVD

- My Summer Vacation (includes 6 short films)

- Six Deleted Scenes

- Gag Reel

- Audio Commentary

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules 3-Disc Blu-ray+DVD+Digital Copy

- Feature Film on DVD and Blu-ray

- My Summer Vacation (includes 7 short films)

- Ten Deleted Scenes

- Gag Reel

- Alternate Ending

- Audio Commentary

- Digital Copy

Related home video titles:

Based on a book by Jeff Kinney, the characters of Greg and his buddies were first introduced to the big screen in Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Making a name for himself in school gets slimy when a new kid shows his classmates How to Eat Fried Worms.