Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul ★★★★★

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul is the fourth instalment in the film adaptation of Jeff Kinney's highly popular books, both of which feature universally relatable cartoons about the increasingly humiliating adventures of protagonist Greg Heffley. Greg and his dramatised diary haven't been seen on the big screen since 2012.

The revamp is total. The Heffley family has been entirely recast, a creative choice that inspired #notmyrodrick when fans realised the original Rodrick, played by Devon Bostick, would be replaced by Charlie Wright.

More notably, Alicia Silverstone (Clueless) plays Susan Heffley, Greg’s hardworking mom whose authority is routinely undermined by the male members of her family.

Greg Heffley (Jason Drucker) becomes a viral video and subsequent meme within the first 10 minutes of the film. (This seems to be the first and only instance of his victimisation as a Wimpy Kid). When it is announced that the Heffleys are going on a family road trip to celebrate their grandmother’s 90th birthday in Indiana, Greg sees it as an opportunity for redemption in the eyes of the Internet. The main obstacle he must overcome is his mom’s implementation of a screen ban for the entirety of the trip.

This rule is wantonly disregarded. Susan deserves better.

The Heffleys encounter all kinds of fiascos on the trip: from loveable livestock to exploding cinnamon rolls, the film relies on the humour of independent moments rather than an overarching plot line. The ominous title accurately foreshadows the ensuing antics. One can’t help but wonder if the film wouldn’t have been better broken into 20-minute segments.

The film incorporates aspects of the standard family road-trip plot line: A Goofy Movie sees the derailment of a family trip for nefariously cool ends without the trimmings and trappings; RV has enough family road trip potty humour to define a generation; and National Lampoon's Vacation did it all first. The Hitchcock references (Psycho, The Birds) reinforce the idea that this movie has no idea what it’s supposed to be doing either.

The film feels poised to launch a commentary on technophobes and the young generation's addiction to screens, one that never manifests itself beyond, connecting with your family members – it's a two-way street. If you’re looking for quality time this weekend, take your family outside.