'Diary of a Wimpy

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Diyah Pera/20th Century Fox Robert Capron, left, and Zachary Gordon in “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days.” By NEIL GENZLINGER Published: August 2, 2012

Studios generally don’t like to see the word “excruciating” in a movie FACEBOOK review. But the makers of “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days” won’t TWITTER mind seeing it here, because that’s just what this good-natured if not GOOGLE+ very ambitious family film is going for. The Collection E-Mail E-MAIL Sign up for the latest in all things fashion from acclaimed More About This Movie It wants you to feel the pain of the title SHARE critics and reporters of The Times delivered weekly. child, Greg (Zachary Gordon), as he Overview PRINT Privacy Policy goes through one embarrassment Tickets & Showtimes after another during an eventful REPRINTS summer, and you do. The end-of- New York Times Review MOST E-MAILED MOST VIEWED school yearbook signing fiasco, the Cast, Credits & Awards tennis court humiliation, the camping 1. DAVID BROOKS Thurston Howell Romney trip incompetence — any or, for some Readers' Reviews who had particularly disastrous childhoods, all of it might 2. A Faded Piece of Papyrus Refers to Jesus’ Trailers & Clips bring a wince of familiarity. Wife

The execution isn’t great. David Bowers, the director, 3. EDITORIAL allows too much hammy acting. The formula is now pretty Mitt Romney, Class Warrior well worn — this is the third movie based on Jeff Kinney’s book series. The film is more a patched-together collection 4. MAUREEN DOWD Let Them Eat Crab Cake of anecdotes than a coherent story, and some of Greg’s tribulations, like fear over a high dive and an amusement- 5. Neil Young Comes Clean park ride, don’t seem age-appropriate for a boy who has just finished seventh grade. View Clip... 6. In ‘Obesity Paradox,’ Thinner May Mean But Peyton List is charming as Holly, the cutie who serves Sicker Watch This Movie as Greg’s romantic interest, and a few scenes — a debacle at a Civil War re-enactment, for instance — have the spark of 7. OP-ED CONTRIBUTOR originality. Young, Gifted and Neglected

“Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days” is rated PG (Parental guidance suggested) for mildly 8. THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN Look in Your Mirror rude humor.

9. Wanted: Jewish Ballplayers A version of this review appeared in print on August 3, 2012, on page C9 of the National edition with the headline: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days.

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August 6th, 2012 3:52 pm Rating: 1. DIARY OF A WIMPY KID, DOG DAYS...A VERY ENJOYABLE "LAUGH OUT LOUD" MOVIE EXPERIENCE!! Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Dog Days Movie is a delightful ride into "laugh out loud" fun and good solid film entertainment. This movie is hilarious and enjoyable like it's 2 predicessors before it. There isn't a " tired formula", as this reviewer would have you believe as the 3 movies are adapted from each different book in the extremely successful series - DWK.

This movie - the 3rd movie, is a culmination of the Books, the Diary of a Wimpy Kid, The Last Straw and Diary of a Wimpy Kid -Dog Days and very different from it's predecessors. This third movie in the series shifts the focus to a wonderful story about what Greg's intention are during summer vacation (to play video games and hang inside) and about his relationship with his Dad.

There is nothing complex in these movies nor do they try to be something more than what they are. You don't need to struggle hard to "read something" into them that doesn't exist. They don't try to make moral connections, nor talk down to kids and adults, nor try to make you "see the light". The characters in the movies aren't "super heros" nor have special powers. They just simply and naturally take reality and aptly portray the trials and tribulations of trying to survive growing up. Everyone can relate to this movie, which is actually very realistic and sensitive in it's portrayal of "real life" and also extremely funny. This isn't "The Hunt for Red October", nor does it try to be anything but what it is....good old wholesome family entertainment!!! It is obvious that this reviewer doesn't understand that. This reviewer needs to first learn what this movie is really about before he attempt to "trash" it.

Not sure what movie this reviewer actually was watching, but The Diary of A Wimpy Kid, Dog Days is just fun film entertainment for anyone of any age. Our whole family loved this movie. Go see this movie and you will find yourself laughing "out loud" and transported into an enjoyable/relatable film experience

– alongthelines, Los Angeles, Ca

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