Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul (2017)

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul is at its best when it turns a simple family road trip into a pinball machine of mishaps, misunderstandings, and big, bright slapstick that’s timed to keep the laughs coming. The movie has an amiable, fast-paced energy, and director David Bowers stages the chaos with a playful touch that lets the Heffleys’ squabbles feel human rather than mean-spirited, even when the humor gets a little rude. It’s the kind of PG comedy where embarrassment is the currency and momentum is the engine, built for giggles and easy watching rather than deep character work. If you’re hoping for something subtler or more faithful to the earlier cast, it may not be your version of “Wimpy,” but if you want a breezy, family-friendly adventure that embraces its cartoonish calamity, this one delivers.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul wants to be a breezy, kid-friendly road-trip comedy about family bonding and Greg’s latest misguided scheme, and on paper that’s exactly the kind of harmless chaos this series should deliver. The problem is it leans hard on loud, obvious slapstick and “gross-out” gags (yes, the diaper bit is the whole vibe), with a paint-by-numbers plot that telegraphs most of its jokes long before they land. The newer cast does what it can and there are a few mildly amusing set pieces, but the movie feels broader and more forgettable than the sharper, more relatable tone fans expect from the books and earlier films. If you’re looking for clever wit or heartfelt coming-of-age energy, this will likely irritate you; if you just need a PG distraction for younger kids who laugh at messy mishaps, it may be serviceable.