Review of How to Eat Fried Worms (2006) by Gabriel G — 25 Jul 2011

I understand the novel is old and some things would need to be changed when adapting it to modern times as a film over thirty years later. But this film adaptation of the classic novel How To Eat Fried Worms changes a lot from the novel, actually too much.

I enjoyed the novel and for a children's book, it was well told and maturely written, a good book. The movie however decides to change the story into a typical fare. It's too silly and almost annoying at times, making the mood far from what the novel was like.

It's just a kids film I know, and I know I'm taking it seriously. I did however give into the fact that this film differed greatly from the novel and I tried to accept things that way, and for a family friendly kids film, it really isn't bad, it was mildly entertaining seeing the kids cook up worms in the most ridiculous ways even though its silliness and pointless humor was sometimes a turn off.

Young kids will enjoy it and I recommend it to them, but for me its hard not to pick at it. I wish for a more mature adaptation of the novel, in a matter of fact, for an odd reason I can imagine someone like Rob Reiner directing an adaptation more tightly based on the novel, even taking place in the 70s time period too.

But I'll be fair with my judgement and say it's passably good.