Plot
Middle schooler Greg Heffley finds himself continually at odds with his father, Frank Heffley's, outsized expectations, which Greg thinks that the combination behind him and his dad is "just not working."
On Christmas, highlighting the ongoing tension in the Heffley household. An initial sequence shows the family rushing to a Christmas church service, with Frank's frustration mounting over various delays and mishaps, including Greg struggling with using a door key after Susan wanted him to grab his coat. The family arrives late, and Frank's subsequent hasty driving draws criticism from other congregants, further embarrassing him and fueling his concern about his son's character, especially when Greg gets embarrassed by the service after sitting on the chocolate Santa that his younger brother Manny was eating.
As Frank discusses Susan about how Greg struggles with basic life skills, Greg and his best friend Rowley Jefferson starts their short-lived "Beefcake Snow Removal" service. As Greg and Rowley find an elderly lady, Mrs. Canfield who needs help on shoveling her driveway, they start by trying to shovel the show off Mrs. Canfield's lawn, but when Greg brings in a lawn mower, he starts the mower and puts the speed onto maximum speed, ruining Mrs. Canfield's lawn and the mower itself, which also brings in a disappointed Frank, as he tries to fix the mower. Lenwood Heath comes in to fix the lawn, and meets Frank who he recommends sending Greg to Spag Union. Greg disapproves from this suggestion, which instead, he plans on joining the Woodchippers. The next morning, Troopmaster Barrett gives a book to Frank to sign off Greg's badge requirements for Greg to reach the Woodchipper Elite badge.
When starting off at the gym to earn the Physical Fitness badge, it wouldn't be long when Greg and Frank gets banned from the gym after Greg tries to help someone by removing some weight from a dumbbell. Then at school, Greg then focuses on getting the Leadership badge by making posters for himself for the Student Elections, but instead, Greg puts up propaganda posters as a way for students to not vote for Patty Farrell, who is also participating in the Student Council. These posters later get Greg disqualified from Student Council. In detention, Greg meets Ricky Fisher, who offers Greg fifty Student of the Week bumper stickers, which he earns the Scholarship merit badge. As days go by, Greg and Frank continue collecting more badges time to time.
The next day, Greg and Rowley join the Safety Patrol in order to get the Safety badge. However, Greg and Rowley lose focus on the kindergarteners, which they trip on the mud, and Greg unexpectedly scares the kindergarteners when Greg mentions that there is worms in the mud, as the kids head into the construction zone. This gets Greg and Rowley falsely suspended from the Safety Patrol by Mrs. Winsky after a complaint from a parent from one of the kids. She also mistakens Greg Heffley for Craig Duffley. Later during the day, Frank meets up with Walt Warren and his son, Weston Warren, which Frank signs Greg up for Weston's soccer team, which Greg wastes most of his time playing an soccer arcade game.
Next week, Frank and Greg goes to the last soccer game of the season. During Greg's game, Weston gets a red card from Lenwood Heath, the referee, and that Lenwood lets the opponent's team do penalty kicks, as the game was tied. Therefore, Lenwood Heath requests for a new goalie for Weston's team, which Greg gets chosen to be the new goalie and that Patty Farrell takes the penalty kick, making the opponent's team win. After the game, Frank gets grumpy and signs Greg up for Spag Union after he finds out that Greg has been disqualified from Student Council, sent to detention, suspended from the Safety Patrol, and even collecting 50 bumper stickers from Ricky.
One week later, Frank and Greg goes to Icey Pines Campout, which Frank still disapproves of Greg's lack of ability to do basic life skills, such as carrying a boat and making a tent. During a hike, Troopmaster Barrett claims that he lost track of where the Woodchippers are going. However, Greg makes a compass, which helps the Woodchippers go the way the compass is pointing at. Later, the pathway above the river breaks, which Greg and Frank makes a rope between two trees. Later at night, Frank decides he's not sending Greg to Spag Union, therefore, Frank and Greg exit Icey Pines and stays at a motel on the way home. Frank does mention to Greg that he forgot to lock the car, which a bunch of raccoons vandalize Frank's car.
Reception
On Decider , Critic John Serba gave the movie a "Stream It" verdict. He noted that while Greg Heffley is still "kind of a jerk," he is learning to be less so. Serba pointed out that the film is an improvement over previous animated entries because it is "more structurally and thematically sound," focusing on the father-son dynamic. He praised the "reasonably strong final stretch" that offers a warm message about family and growing up without being overly sentimental. [8]
Plugged In stated that the movie is "predictably filled with slapstick violence and grossout gags," which might cause some parents to roll their eyes. However, it praised the movie's "very sweet messages" about the importance of integrity, hard work, and family. The review highlighted the strong positive elements, such as Susan Heffley's wisdom about parenting and Frank's realization that simply showing up for his son is a valuable lesson. It ultimately gave the film "merit badges for its messages." [9]
On Common Sense Media , the notes on what parents need to know. It mentions the cartoon violence (e.g., a dog bite, a raccoon attack) and crude language ("butt," "stupid"), but notes it sticks to its PG rating. The main positive message highlighted is that lying, keeping secrets, and taking shortcuts don't pay off, emphasizing themes of responsibility and integrity. [1]
