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As a parent of teenagers, I know that the preteen years are an unruly mess of conflicting moods — which, I guess, means that the hodgepodge that is "Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life" is spot-on in its depiction of the tween experience.
In this loosey-goosey adaptation of the first of best-selling author James Patterson's YA book series (No. 8 goes on sale later this month), the action centers on Rafe Khatchadorian (Griffin Gluck), an art-loving kid who's had a rough year or two and is starting over at a new middle school. He finds out the principal, Mr. Dwight (played by comic Andy Daly), has a strict set of rules he enforces with an iron fist, as he obsesses over his school's scores in the upcoming standardized tests.
Rafe — egged on by his friend Leo (Thomas Barbusca) — launches a stealth campaign to prank Dwight and break each of his rules one at a time. At the same time, Rafe and his little sister, Georgia (Alexa Nisenson), must deal with Carl (Rob Riggle), the obnoxious boyfriend of their mom (Lauren Graham), an overworked caterer.
The script — credited to the writing team of Chris Bowman and Hubbel Palmer ("Masterminds") and Kara Holden — jumps from low comedy to heavy drama, sometimes rather abruptly. There also are moments of teen romance, a hint of magical realism and bits of animation based on Rafe's sketchbook characters. Director Steve Carr ("Paul Blart: Mall Cop") can't make the parts meld smoothly, but he has an ear for a good joke.
To that end, the movie assembles a funny adult cast — besides Riggle and Daly, there's Adam Pally as a good-hearted teacher, the comedian Retta as Dwight's bulldog vice principal, and Efren Ramirez ("Napoleon Dynamite") as the put-upon janitor — as well as an engaging set of kid actors who carry the movie over its rough spots. "Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life" isn't the worst, or the best, movie you're likely to see, but settles nicely in the middle.
Twitter: @moviecricket —
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'Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life'
A preteen's view of seventh-grade torments makes for a funny, if uneven, movie.
Where • Theaters everywhere.
When • Opens Friday, Oct. 7.
Rating • PG for rude humor throughout, language and thematic elements.
Running time • 92 minutes.