The event that has made Greg notorious is typical of the excretion-focused humor that's too often front and center as the film ambles along to little purpose. As the result of a misadventure too involved to recount in detail, Greg winds up with a dirty diaper stuck to one hand. His frantic -- and unsuccessful -- efforts to fling it away are captured by a host of cellphone cameras, and infamy awaits.
On the trip, though, Greg suffers other indignities of a similar nature. He winds up concealed behind a shower curtain while the person from whom he's hiding relieves himself inches away. Later, on the road again and with no exit for miles, Greg is forced to use an empty bottle to answer nature's call.
It doesn't take the acumen of a Sherlock Holmes to detect that depending on such incidents for laughs is a symptom either of laziness or an impoverished imagination. Whatever their source, the prominence and frequency of these scenes prevents endorsement of this sometimes queasy sequel for viewers of all ages.
The film contains much distasteful potty humor and brief adult wordplay. The Catholic News Service classification is A-II -- adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG -- parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.
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Mulderig is on the staff of Catholic News Service.
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CAPSULE REVIEW
"Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul" (Fox)
An excess of scatological humor as well as a lack of creative drive blight this family road comedy, adapted by writer-director David Bowers from the novel by Jeff Kinney. As his family sets off on a cross-country journey to attend his great-grandmother's 90th birthday celebration, a mild-mannered middle schooler (Jason Drucker) rails against his mom's (Alicia Silverstone) ban on the use of electronics during the trip -- a prohibition his overworked father (Tom Everett Scott) likewise finds it difficult to obey. Recently shamed by an embarrassing video that went viral, the lad also plots with his older brother (Charlie Wright) to make a detour to a gaming convention where he hopes a taped encounter with an online celebrity (Joshua Hoover) will retrieve his reputation. A series of misadventures and indignities await the youthful protagonist as the film ambles along to little purpose. Too many of these involve excretion to allow endorsement for all. Much distasteful potty humor, brief adult wordplay. The Catholic News Service classification is A-II -- adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG -- parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.
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CLASSIFICATION
"Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul" (Fox) -- Catholic News Service classification, A-II -- adults and adolescents. Motion Picture Association of America rating, PG -- parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.
