This follow up to the first “wimpy kid” movie is, in my opinion, a bit better. There were a few less gross jokes, although that may not be considered heaps of praise for the movie. Yet the truth is that this movie manages to include some good themes in it. There is a scene in which the family attends church and communion is served. Sure, this moment is used for a joke in the film as Greg accidentally sat on a warm candy bar and when this is spotted in the church a girl yells out, “Look, he pooped his pants!” But at least the family attends church together in a movie, which is not all that common. Also, although older brother Rodrick (Devon Bostick) and Greg (Zachary Gordon) do fight they also make peace and find common ground. And Greg falls for the new girl, Holly (Peyton List), and winds up in a few embarrassing moments while trying to impress her. There is a funny scene in which a character mentions having a family band and we see Greg’s family all dressed up like The Partridge Family, singing “Come On, Get Happy!” Another funny scene involves Greg trying to figure out how to dial out with an old rotary phone.

The parents seem to be a bit on the slow side of catching on to the brothers’ tricks, such as when they have a party and have to explain why the bathroom door no longer has a lock on it. And this won’t be something all parents will want to take their kids to. During the party while the parents are away the teens drink pop and not alcohol but there are some crazy moments akin to a booze party. So be sure and check out the content listing below. This is fairly tame compared to some of what else is out there. And it manages a few heartwarming moments too. We award this film our Dove “Family-Approved” Seal and recommend it for ages twelve and above.