Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules is a 2011 American comedy film[5] directed by David Bowers in his live-action directorial debut and based on Jeff Kinney's 2008 book of the same name.
When Greg returns home, a local talent show is advertised on TV, and Rodrick sees it as the big break for his band, Löded Diper.
As punishment, Susan, Frank, and Manny go on a trip to the water park, Rockin' Rapids without Greg and Rodrick, leaving them home for the weekend to work on their differences; they are also instructed not to invite anyone over.
Defying his parents immediately upon their departure, Rodrick throws a wild party which Greg and his best friend Rowley Jefferson end up participating in.
The next morning, Greg and Rodrick receive a voicemail from Susan and Frank, informing them that they will be returning early from their trip due to Manny being ill, prompting them to hastily clean up the trashed house.
One night, when Frank plans to show a slideshow of his civil war figurines to the editors of Susan’s paper, who are visiting the Heffleys, he ends up finding pictures of Rodrick's party.
The following week, the family goes to see the talent show anyway, where Rodrick finds out that he has been kicked out of his own band by Bill Walter, a guitarist he recently recruited, while Rowley's magic act is in jeopardy due to his assistant having stage fright.
Reluctant because of the potential humiliation it will cause, Greg strikes a deal with Susan that he will stand in as Rowley's assistant if she lets Rodrick perform, which she agrees to.
Despite multiple mishaps, "The Remarkable Rowley" and "Greg The Great" are praised by the audience, including Holly, believing the act is actually a comedy skit and that the mistakes are intentional.
The audience isn't, however, as impressed by Löded Diper, until Susan starts dancing at the edge of the stage, prompting the crowd to join in.
Greg and Rowley later upload a video of Löded Diper being upstaged by Susan's dancing onto YouTube, which goes viral, angering Rodrick.
The site's critical consensus reads, "Moderately witty and acceptably acted, Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2 isn't much worse than the first installment.
[13] Robert Abele of the Los Angeles Times gave the film a positive review saying, "Director David Bowers keeps things peppy and brightly lighted, but its swiftest pleasures come from moment-seizing cast members."
Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times gave it a positive review saying, "A little less wimpy, gives value lessons to the watchers from the cast, and still pretty funny" and a B rating.
However, Michael O'Sullivan of The Washington Post gave it a negative review, stating "You can't fault the filmmakers for reshaping a diary into a cohesive film.