Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer 2 stars (out of 4) Rated: G
Remember that special time in your life? The frisson of excitement that comes on the last day of school before summer holidays and you’re young enough that you don’t have to worry about boys and training bras (if you’re a girl in Grade 3, that is)?
Well, then Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer may be for you, a film brimming with youthful exuberance and innocence.
Based on the series of books by Megan McDonald (who co-wrote the screenplay), the film follows the adventures of red-haired waif Judy Moody, who longs for the kind of summer that exceeds in “thrill points,” such as those being enjoyed by pal Amy, who’s headed to Borneo, and pal Rocky, who’s off to circus camp.
Good luck with that, Judy, who acknowledges that past summers at Grandma Lou’s have been “S is for Snores-ville.”
Even with kooky hipster Aunt Opal (Heather Graham) in charge while the parents head off to California to look after their aging parents, things don’t ever go according to plan, especially with Amy and Rocky providing regular updates of their adventures via email.
The “way worst double-dread bummer summer ever,” as Judy has dubbed it, appears to be inevitable.
Jordana Beatty is pixie-perfect as young Judy, suffused with pre-adolescent angst and energy.
Parris Mosteller plays younger brother James, nicknamed Stink (the reasons for which are not elaborated upon) with the same kind of precocity personified, along with the cutest little speech impediment.
Heather Graham as Opal is every child’s dream of a dotty, doting relative and Jaleel White (TV’s unforgettably annoying Urkel on sitcom Family Matters) has a non-irritating cameo as teacher Mr. Todd.
There’s also some “über-cool” animation from time to time, representing Judy’s imagination, and a series of silly happenings, including a hunt for Bigfoot and a graphic puke episode on a roller-coaster, to keep things bouncing along.
Were parents ever this indulgent? Were guardians ever this permissive? Were childhood summers ever this carefree?
No, no and no.
The biggest risk that young filmgoers face coming out of Judy Moody is that their own summers aren’t going to be one-quadrillionth as much fun.
Now that’s a bummer!
Bruce DeMara is a syndicated movie critic for The Toronto Star.