The trauma of the seventh grade has passed and now, Greg Heffley, along with his pal Rowley, played again by Zachary Gordon and Robert Capron, confidently walk into school as middle school veterans. But theyre still in the lower levels of the social strata, made painfully obvious at a skating party where Greg spots the "new girl in school" and is determined to move in before its too late. Of course, thanks to his own nervousness, the nerdy-ness of Rowley and the outright fraternal sabotage from his brother, Rodrick, again played by Devon Bostick lets just say, things do not go well.
All this leads us to the main plot line.
"Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules" introduces us to the "Mom Bucks" program. Its Mrs. Heffleys misguided effort to promote a better sibling relationship. When the boys dont fight for a designated period of time, theyre rewarded with "Mom Bucks." Of course, Rodrick immediately begins to scam the program with significant consequences for his little brother.
As the movie meanders from one embarrassing, awkward or outright painful event to another, were again subjected to the same formulaic ingredients that made up the first film. Were treated to the mandatory rude, tree house humor that sadly we simply cant live without nowadays. One scene, focusing on a chocolate candy bar mishap in church, is reminiscent of low humor usually reserved something like "Caddyshack."
One good thing about this years "Wimpy Kid" movie is that Greg isnt constantly trashing and selling out his best friend, Rowley. There are few notable performances; basically, what we have again is a glorified afterschool, made-for-TV movie on the big screen.
"Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules" gets only 2 stars.