DIARY OF A WHIMPY KID: RODRICK RULES

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Consciously lightweight in its approach to kid-humor "Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules" is nonetheless a balanced children's comedy. This second installment in the "Wimpy Kid" franchise finds boy-with-a-diary Greg Heffley (Zachary Gordon) failing to escape constant pranking from his older brother Rodrick (Devon Bostick).

The sibling's parents (played by Steve Zahn and Rachel Harris) offer "mom-bucks" for every trouble-free hour the boys spend together. The plot device turns out to be a ruse. Rodrick plays drums for an annoying band called "Loded Diaper."

Greg wants to make time with the new girl in school. Childhood ambition is the driving force in a story about how the brothers mutually discover how to help one another. Gordon and Bostick carry the movie.

There's enough chemistry between them for young audiences to get caught up in the rivalry. "Rodrick Rules" might not be high art, but it is a perfectly sound kid's movie.

Rated PG. 96 mins.