Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw Stuck in Neutral

Animated family films aren’t easy to get right, especially when a series has been running almost as long as some of the most drawn-out franchises around. With the latest instalment, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw, it’s clear that sticking to the same old formula isn’t doing this series any favours. While other animated flicks like Zootopia 2 and The Wild Robot manage to bring fresh energy and heart, this one seems content to coast along, never really stepping out of its comfort zone.

Plot: Greg’s Never-Ending Quest

The story once again centres on Greg Heffley, voiced by Aaron Harris, who’s still caught up in his own world and desperate to climb the social ladder. His loyal mate Rowley, played by Spencer Howell, is always there for him, while his brother Rodrick (Hunter Dillon) remains a constant source of grief. Being the middle child, Greg struggles to get noticed by his parents, especially his dad Frank (Chris Diamantopoulos), who’s quick to lose patience whenever Greg’s plans go pear-shaped. After a run-in with a neighbour who’s turned his life around at military school, Frank decides that might be just the ticket for Greg.

Greg’s attempts to fit in and his knack for getting himself into strife are meant to be funny and relatable, but the jokes start to wear thin. The dynamic with his dad, in particular, feels forced and a bit off, never quite landing the emotional punch it’s aiming for.

Review: Same Old Gags, Not Much Spark

Jeff Kinney, who wrote the original books, penned the script for this one as well. There are a few clever bits of physical comedy and some cheeky nods to other films, like a neighbour watching Home Alone. But for the most part, the humour leans heavily on slapstick and gags that feel a bit juvenile, even for a kids’ film. The story drags in places, with scenes that seem to be there just to pad things out rather than move the plot along.

Fans who’ve stuck with the series might still get a kick out of it, but for everyone else, it’s starting to feel a bit stale. The animation has its own look, but it’s not exactly keeping up with the times—characters can come across as stiff and lacking in expression. It’s the sort of thing you’d expect from a franchise that’s more interested in churning out content than trying something new.

Worth a Watch?

Directors Matt Danner and Gino Nichele don’t bring much new to the table. The film relies on recycled jokes and awkward moments that don’t really hit the mark. That’s more down to the script than the direction, but either way, it doesn’t do much to set itself apart from the earlier entries.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw is not worth watching. Not only is the main character annoying, a trait of any adolescent stuck in arrested development, trying to find their way, but Frank is so underwritten and lacks enough common sense, support, and heart to teach children a lesson for family entertainment. This is where the franchise earns its last straw: refusing to teach viewers lessons not only for the kids but for parents as well.

The film is streaming exclusively on Disney+ from December 8th.