You can view this second sequel in the moderately successful franchise one of two ways; either you look at it as harmless fun that you have no interest in, but hope may push your offspring to the books it was based on. Or, you could wonder why this story didn’t feature a kid with real problems. I get it; not that kind of film. But it wasn't that kind of film when the first one came out and now it's pushing its luck.
This time everyone's favourite middle-kid Greg Heffley (Gordon) is having trouble relating to his equally awkward auld fellah (Zahn). He gets grounded, fights with his mate, has a crush on a pretty girl at school and dislikes his siblings immensely. Sure, isn't that super-relatable for most tweens nowadays? There must be something there that makes it so popular. The "dog days" bit of the title refers to a scene in the film when Greg's old man buys the family a dog; it's also a metaphor... er, I think.
Sure look it, these films have a very strong audience and in some roundabout way there could very well be a reason for that. But you can't ignore the fact that it plays like a kids' TV show with a similar budget. Star of the show Gordon does his best to try and make Greg likeable, but he really is that kid in the neighbourhood that none of the parents like - for a reason.
Bottom line is that there wasn't remotely enough of a plot here to warrant another feature and it would've struggled filling an hour-long kid's serial. Fox released a third one because it was, essentially, easy money. It will distract the kids momentarily; but the DVD won't hold up to repeat viewings - as a matter of fact it struggles through one.
