4th film in series makes a point amid the antics
MOVIE REVIEW
The “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series has been, at its core, “Alvin and the Chipmunks” without the rodents.
The formula is maybe 70 percent attention to the plot and 30 percent set-up and execution of barf, poop and flatulence jokes.
In the realm of adjusted expectations, “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul” is a notably solid effort. Other family-friendly movie franchises (including “Chipmunks” and “Ice Age”) seem to get a doubledigit percentage worse each time, but this sequel at least ties for the best in the series.
“The Long Haul” is the fourth film based on the popular graphicnovel series by Jeff Kinney and the first with a rebooted cast. In this one, the new Greg Heffley (Jason Drucker) is forced on a road trip with his affable but strict parents, who insist on no phones or other digital screens.
Playing the mother is Alicia Silverstone, which is a heck of a sucker punch for those of us who swear she played a teenager in “Clueless” about five years ago. (It was
Directed by David Bowers.
PG (for some rude humor) 1:30 at the Columbus 10 at Westpointe, Crosswoods, Dublin Village 18, Easton 30, Georgesville Square 16, Grove City 14, Lennox 24, Movies 16 Gahanna, Pickerington, Polaris 18, and River Valley theaters actually 22 years ago.)
Silverstone is an excellent addition, performing the role with over-the-top flair but also from a loving, sincere and vaguely relatable place.
As much as this entry takes its “Vacation”with-more-vomit path, the discussion of kids and parents and real-life connections keeps “The Long Haul” grounded in something more than pure escapism.
For parents and kids who fight often about screen time, the ride home from the film might be a good time to initiate peace talks.
A word of caution: Avoid a lot of carnival food before seeing the movie. “The Long Haul” not only includes bodily functions but also shows the puke flying through the air in slow motion.
A side plot centering on a rival road-tripping family probably worked well in the graphicnovel medium, but the crimes and misdemeanors being committed by these flesh-and-blood families border on disturbing. In the end, though, it’s mostly harmless fun.
Jeff Kinney and series director David Bowers were are also screenwriters, and their gag-a-minute approach yields the occasional inspired result.