"The friendship message that comes wrapped in the world of Wimpy Kid gives the movie its centre and its heart." Linda Barnard TORONTO STAR "A fairly realistic look at the middle school experience that will have kids cheering while their parents are entertained too." JACKIE K COOPER "Adults may have a good time too, but this is one the middle schoolers will better enjoy with their friends than with their parents." Daniel M. Kimmel NEW ENGLAND MOVIES WEEKLY "Conveys, in a good-humoured, sharply observed way, the small, painful cruelties and unpredictable rules of early adolescence, and it celebrates awkwardness without feeling the need to convert it into cheap triumph." Philippa Hawker THE AGE "Sends all the right messages to the youth audience it targets and also keeps the grownups entertained." Karina Montgomery CINERINA "The true measure of Freudenthal's film is that it's the rare kid's flick that their parents won't have to merely tolerate. Rather, they will enjoy it, too." Mike Scott TIMES-PICAYUNE "It's nimble, bright and funny. It doesn't dumb down. It doesn't patronize. It knows something about human nature." Roger Ebert CHICAGO SUN-TIMES

"What sets this kid comedy apart is how well it resists the temptation to clobber the bullies and crown the underdog." Nancy Churnin DALLAS MORNING NEWS "Definitely exceeds the standards for a modern family film and it's almost guaranteed to entertain any kid who goes to see it." Christopher Smith BANGOR DAILY NEWS "The film’s wry wit and understanding of childhood anxieties will remind older viewers of the television series The Wonder Years which is no small compliment." Allan Hunter DAILY EXPRESS "The film retains much of the original humour, some of it well executed. It's reasonably faithful to the spirit of the books." Paul Byrnes SYDNEY MORNING HERALD "It avoids talking down to kids or being didactic, while still projecting an overall wholesomeness." Claudia Puig USA TODAY "Perceptive, funny, unusually edgy voyage into the comic travails of schoolyard politics and childhood friendship." Jim Schembri THE AGE "Provides good laughs and a solid option for children who are 'too grown-up' to be entertained with singing animals or talking cars." Jeffrey Lyles GAZETTE

The Inside Story From its origins as a series of online cartoons, "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" exploded onto the pop culture scene when author Jeff Kinney's first 'novel in cartoons' was published in 2007. Diary of a Wimpy Kid spent almost three years on The New York Times’ children’s best-seller list, and was translated into thirty three languages. The book captured the imaginations of an army of formerly 'reluctant readers' and launched countless video reviews, social networking fan groups, and parties celebrating the release of each new Wimpy Kid book. While Kinney (who works full-time as a writer and designer of online games) had originally targeted adults through the book’s nostalgic look at middle school life as told through a narrator with Walter Mitty-esque fantasies of greatness, kids immediately connected to his blending of the subversive and edgy, with fun and wholesomeness. Most of all, they responded to the titular hero’s unique voice, summed up by his signature line, "I’m stuck in middle school with a bunch of morons," accompanied by Kinney’s drawing of Greg sitting between two classmates. Given such pronouncements, it’s no surprise that Greg Heffley is far from a traditional role model. He’s judgmental, selfish and lazy, but nevertheless always likable. "I wanted to create a character that was realistic," Kinney explained. "Many times in children’s literature, the protagonist is really just a miniature adult. I wanted to come up with a kid who was relatable and far from perfect. I worked hard to avoid dumbing down the books, talking down to kids, and wanted to make sure the stories avoided lots of lessons learned." Kinney’s many representations of the absurdity of middle school life delighted readers. A particular favorite was the 'cheese touch', which has become the stuff of middle school legend, myth, horror, disgust and gossip. At Greg’s school, a moldy piece of cheese has mysteriously appeared on the blacktop, growing more foul and powerful by the day. If there’s a single thing these middle schoolers dread, it’s accidentally brushing against the decrepit slice and thus being branded with the cheese touch’s nuclear cooties. The only way to get rid of the cheese touch is by touching some other unfortunate classmate; it’s like a game of tag, only grosser. "No one looks back at their middle school years wishing to relive them," says Kinney, who is an executive producer on the film. "You see a lot of movies about elementary school kids, high school students and college students, but very few set in middle school because those years are universally kind of ugly." It’s a world where social stratification rules the day. "In middle school, everyone is getting divided: kids are becoming either athletes or preppies or cool kids or nerds," says producer Brad Simpson, who made his debut on the Todd Haynes 2002 film, "Far from Heaven". "It’s a kid’s first real taste of adulthood." (The school’s hierarchal landmines are in full force in the cafeteria, a hotbed of cliques where the prize is, literally, a seat at the table or any table.) Producer Nina Jacobson (who worked with Dwayne 'The Rock" Johnson on "The Game Plan"), a former executive at The Walt Disney Motion Picture Group adds: "In middle school, you are beyond the cuteness and carefree quality of childhood, but years away from being able to drive. You’re neither cute nor cool; you’re just stuck in the middle." As young readers made the books a phenomenon, Hollywood came calling, eager to turn Greg Heffley’s world, friends and family into a major motion picture. Kinney’s work generated a true fervor and excitement among the team of filmmakers that came together to bring his vision to the screen. "Jeff created something genuinely original that didn’t feel like anything I’d seen before and didn’t look or feel like any book I’d read before. It wasn’t the kind of book that my kids found hysterical, but I could barely tolerate. We all laughed. It’s written in a smart, sophisticated way that made me think of it as a kind of Larry David in high school," Jacobson notes (referring to the beleaguered anti-hero of the series "Curb Your Enthusiasm".) "Greg is blissfully unaware of what a jerk he can be, and kids find that refreshing and entertaining." Co-screenwriter Jeff Judah adds:"Reading the book was like looking at a scrapbook of your own adolescent bravado and stupidity." His writing partner Gabe Sachs echoes his thoughts: "I think that writing for the screen version of Greg Heffley felt very natural because in middle school I would often do what I thought was cool, only to quickly discover that it was anything but cool." Director Thor Freudenthal says, "There’s a blatant honesty and humor to the way Jeff Kinney describes how kids feel and act. Greg is a combination of every youngster’s worst instincts and decisions." In adapting Kinney’s book for the screen, the filmmakers were intent on being true to his characters and particularly to Greg’s flawed nature. Throughout the process, Kinney provided essential insights. "Jeff was an invaluable asset in the writing of this film," says co-screenwriter Jeff Filgo. "He was always available for the inevitable question, like 'Would Greg do this?' 'Would Rowley (Greg’s best friend) do that?' But he also read every outline and draft, and gave priceless feedback." Filgo’s writing partner and wife, Jackie Filgo notes: "Greg is by turns insecure, aggressive, shy, funny, cruel, and kind; anyone who is around kids knows that they can be all of those things at different times, and every now and then all of them at once. It was our challenge to make sure Greg and his friends made the transition from book to screen with all their features and flaws intact." The character of Rowley is one of the most popular among the book’s fans, including the filmmakers. "He’s certainly one of my favorites," Kinney admitted. "Rowley just wants to enjoy the world and his school experience." "We all love Rowley’s humor and innocence and freshness. One of my favorite Greg-Rowley exchanges is when Rowley tells his friend that 'My mom told me that people will like me if I am just myself.' To which Greg responds: 'Well, that would be good advice, if you were someone else.' That pretty much sums up their dynamic," Jacobson says. As work continued on the script, the filmmakers turned their attentions to the critical task of finding their 'Wimpy Kid'. In Kinney’s books, Greg is a stick figure with a round head, three hairs, and big shoes on a skimpy, slumped frame. It’s a rendering beloved by Wimpy Kid readers but one that wouldn’t work in a live action film. The filmmakers were looking for a young actor who could convey Greg’s charisma and many flaws, while always keeping him likable and fun. Jacobson recalls: "Finding the right actor who could capture that certain 'Greg Heffley' quality while remaining sympathetic, was very difficult. He had to be cute and endearing, but also have a lot of chutzpah." The filmmakers undertook a nine month, nationwide search for their 'Wimpy Kid', during which over a thousand youngsters were auditioned. Their herculean efforts finally paid off when they found Zachary Gordon, a Southern California resident who had done lots of voiceover work and a few film and television appearances. "To say Zach has a bundle of energy is an understatement," Washington D.C. born Simpson notes. "He’s also a really good kid, and that shines through." For Gordon ("National Treasure 2"), playing Greg was both exciting and the most natural thing in the world for him to be doing. For one thing, he was already a huge fan of the books. In addition, Zachary embodies Greg physically and even channels, the inner-Wimp. "Well, I’m small and thin like Greg, and that helps me play him. But I can also think like him. If you say something about Greg, I can sort of picture it in my mind, and imagine myself doing those things or having them happen to me. And that just puts me into the character." Robert Capron ("The Sorcerer's Apprentice"), who plays Greg’s best pal Rowley Jefferson, was in fact, cast before Gordon. Robert was Rowley. "In his first audition, he was Rowley," says Jacobson. But Capron, too, had an unusual journey to Wimpy-dom. Once attached to the project, he participated in three different screen tests with six different 'Gregs'. In addition to bringing to life lead characters Greg and Rowley, the filmmakers wanted to highlight the supporting figures in Greg’s journeys at school and at home, in a way not possible in the books. "It’s really fun to see the side characters, which have only a few lines of dialogue in the books, become fully formed in the film," says Kinney. "The characters had to have more depth than doodles on a page." While much of the action is set in Greg’s middle school, the film presents hilarious snippets of his home life with big brother Rodrick, younger sibling Manny, and parents Frank and Susan. Greg’s family experiences, like middle school life, are not ideal. His parents are well-meaning but have no idea about Greg’s every day struggles at school. Frank, played by Steve Zahn ("Sunshine Cleaning" & "Rescue Dawn), looks at his three kids and wonders, who are these people? Between Greg’s video games and Rodrick’s rock band "Löded Diper", they’re completely alien to him. Greg’s mom Susan, played Rachael Harris ("The Hangover"), is the only woman in a household of men and a constant source of embarrassment for Greg. "Susan’s heart is in the right place," says Harris, "but she’s not cool enough to sneak her good intentions in under the radar." As challenging as family life can be, it’s Greg’s school “daze” and classmates that are the focus of his journal. The filmmakers populated the school with kids who looked like real middle school students to whom audiences would respond and relate. Greg’s arch-nemesis is Patty Farrell (Laine MacNeil); the two have a history together! When Greg tries to achieve middle school wrestling stardom, Patty’s there to stop him. A less threatening female classmate is Angie Steadman played by "Kick-Ass" star Chloë Grace Moretz, whose sophisticated and mature perspective on middle school provides a sharp contrast to Greg’s wheelings and dealings. Dynamic visual stylist director Thor Freudenthal was coming off the hit comedy "Hotel for Dogs", when he was approached to take the reins of the film. After helming a film featuring fifty dogs and ten kids, Freudenthal was reluctant to do another kid-centric tale. Eventually he would be drawn to the project by the Wimpy Kid’s Mitty-esque theme, and perhaps most pertinent, by the fact that as a youngster Freudenthal had created his own illustrated diaries/journals that chronicled his life at school. "Thor’s diary was incredibly similar to the Wimpy Kid journal," Simpson (Todd Graff's 2003 "Camp") revealed. "Diary Of A Wimpy Kid" was shot in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Here production designer Brent Thomas, D.O.P Jack Green A.S.C. and their teams transformed three Vancouver area schools into Greg’s middle school. "We wanted to aim high and satisfy all of the book's fans," says Jacobson. What It's All About

To Greg Heffley, middle school is the dumbest idea ever invented. It’s a place rigged with hundreds of social landmines, not the least of which are morons, wedgies, swirlies, bullies, lunchtime banishment to the cafeteria floor; and a festering piece of cheese with nuclear cooties. To survive the never-ending ordeal and attain the recognition and status he feels he so richly deserves, Greg devises an endless series of can’t-miss schemes, all of which, of course, go awry. And he’s getting it all down on paper, via a diary: "it’s NOT a diary, it’s a journal!" Greg insists, preferring the less-sissyfied designation; filled with his opinions, thoughts, tales of family trials and tribulations, and (would-be) schoolyard triumphs. "One day when I’m famous," writes Greg, "I’ll have better things to do than answer peoples’ stupid questions all day." So was born the Wimpy Kid’s diary. But first he has to survive school.

The Verdict "The book that gave birth to a series of delightful tales for not only adults but children alike, is now larger than life in a big screen adaptation of author Jeff Kinney's book, "Diary Of A Wimpy Kid". This expansive version of the book brings to life all the characters readers have grown to love, despite the fact that they were all 'stick people'. Set in Middle School (years 9 to 12 in the US education system), "Diary Of A Wimpy Kid" will bring back a flood of childhood memories to those who faced some or many of the hurdles Greg Heffley did in his day by day survival quest. The pecking order depicted in the film and in Greg's diary (yes, it's a diary: not a journal), the bullying, the older brother syndrome, the peer pressure, happening to be a part of the 'odd ones out' it appears, is not restricted just to the USA: it's endemic in schools the world over. For most of us, our experience in the education system has left us with a mixed bag of memories: some good, some bad; a learning experience that defined a very special period in our lives. One I am certain made many of us more understanding in our adult lives. Happily, while there were some highs and lows in my fifteen years at school, I was never put through everything Greg experienced. Hats off to Executive Producer Jeff Kinney, Director Thor Freudenthal, the talented cast and the production yeam for such a sterling effort. "Diary Of A Wimpy Kid" is a very funny film with an emotional or comedic grab around every corner. It's one film every parent with school aged kids should see: with their kids. You won't be disappointed. Riotously funny at times. 4 STARS. Who's Who?

Zachary Gordon Robert Capron Rachael Harris Steve Zahn Connor Fielding Owen Fielding Devon Bostick Chloë Grace Moretz Karan Brar Grayson Russell Laine MacNeil Alex Ferris Andrew McNee Belita Moreno Rob LaBelle Nicholas Carey

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Greg Heffley Rowley Susan Heffley Frank Heffley Manny Heffley Manny Heffley Rodrick Heffley Angie Steadman Chirag Gupta Fregley Patty Ferrell Collin Coach Malone Mrs Norton Mr Bertrand Winsky Pete Hosey

The Production Team

Director Screenplay Adapted Producers D.O.P. Film Editor Production Design Art Direction Set Decoration Costume Design

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Thor Freudenthal Jackie Filgo/Jeff Filgo/Gabe Sachs/Jeff Judah from the best selling book by Jeff Kinney Nina Jacobson & Brad Simpson Jack Green Wendy Greene Bricmont Brent Thomas Shannon Grover Mary-Lou Storey Monique Prudhomme

Run Time 94 minutes Rated PG [AUST] Copyright ©2010 - Twentieth Century Fox - All Rights Reserved ©1999-2010 The Movie Pages & impact Internet Services. All Rights Reserved. Protected by Australian and International Copyright. Trademark Laws and Intellectual Property Rights apply.