After Rafe's unexpected transfer, his first day led him to the strict and exceedingly vain Principal Ken Dwight and his stern, obsequious Vice-Principal.
Critics Of "Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life"
Alonso Duralde
TheWrap
October 07, 2016
Throw in some tacked-on anti-standardized-tests speeches and a late-in-the-game reveal about a death in the family, and you've got a movie that's constantly zigging and zagging emotionally without a skilled hand at the wheel.
Channeling the spirit of John Hughes and playing like a tween version of Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life delivers an easily digestible and amusing portrait of youthful hijinks.
Despite a cringe-worthy gaffe with regards to the Wu-Tang Clan's geographical origins, "Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life" is harmless fun with a trace of anarchy in its DNA.
Given the current discussions in this country on how our school system is failing our kids, the movie's plea for creativity over tests will have surprising resonance for parents too.
Though its title and general tone lament the stifling atmosphere of the years between childhood and full-fledged teenhood, the movie misses the animal hostility and physical awkwardness of genuine tweens.
Ironically, Middle School's message is about encouraging kids and grown-ups to think outside the box and yet, the filmmakers themselves do precisely the opposite.
Downright funny kid-movie satire about the horrors of moving to a new school and dealing with a dictatorial principal who hates creativity and loves oppressing students.
Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life is better than middling as it sidesteps the trap of simply pandering to its youthful demo with cheap laughs and silly mugging.
