Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life

“Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life” is a film that’s difficult to categorize as “good” or “bad”. I can make a case for either camp. If I look deep into my soul and ask the harsh questions, I don't truly think that it's a good movie, but it has some redeeming qualities. It’s a lot better than I thought it was going to be, but by virtue of being one of those films where the teenagers are ridiculously smart, the school stereotypes present at every turn and the adults being stupid in order for the plot to come about, it can only be so good.

Rafe Khatchadorian (Griffin Gluck) has just started classes at a new school and immediately gets off on the wrong foot. Principal Dwight (Andy Daly) spots his sketchbook and destroys it, citing that the doodles are in violation of one of his many sternly enforced rules. Rafe’s best friend Leo (Thomas Barbusca) inspires him to get back at the school by leading a massive rebellion in which he will break the Principal's rules.

This film is a fire-breathing dragon. There are cool things about dragons. They can fly, breathe fire, their blood has magical properties. Despite this, by virtue of being a dragon, one would never make a good pet. “Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life” cannot, no matter how much it tries, escape the fact that it’s a film aimed at 9-14 year-olds. When I look at this film, I see the same problems present in so many children’s live-action television series. When adults are stupid in this picture, it’s a wonder they haven’t accidentally killed themselves on the way to work. When there are bullies on-screen, they’re so flat you'd swear they just came out of the paper mill. Principal Dwight has no ambitions in life besides squelching every creative ounce out of the students of Hills Village Middle school. Carl (Rob Riggle) is dating Rafe’s mom (Lauren Graham) and it’s not enough that he’s rude and insensitive, he also has to be dimwitted, adulterous, self-centered and greedy. You wonder how desperate Mom is to find a man (I happen to think Lauren Graham looks pretty good) that she'd be up for dating Rob Riggle despite neither of them having anything in common. In the same vein, the children in this picture are ninjas and psychics, able to use their mind powers to block adults from seeing bad behavior and always capable of sneaking in and out of buildings on a whim. I know the premise is wacky, but couldn't they at least try to explain how Rafe breaks into his school at night?

The picture isn’t devoid of charm. For one, I really like the message. At its core, it’s about the fact that normal is boring. Children should try to stand out, to be unique and creativity should be nourished. Sure Rafe is breaking the rules, but the rules he’s rebelling against aren’t fair and when you see his imagination come to life in some very lively animated segments, his talent is undeniable. I also thought that the performances ranged from good, to excellent. The child actors are charismatic, particularly young Alexa Nisenson as Rafe’s younger sister. There’s a scene where she’s crying and she’s completely convincing. It hints at a solid career in the future. I criticized the way the characters were written earlier, but there are many instances where the dialogue is sharp, snappy and very funny. I laughed out loud numerous times.

I want to put the blame on someone and I’m going to say that it’s director Steve Carr’s fault. Some scenes were clearly cut out and the elements that don’t work here I’ve seen in some of his other family pictures, “Paul Blart: Mall Cop”, “Are We Done Yet? ”, “Daddy Day Care”.

It's important to distinguish family films and ones aimed solely at children. “Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life” is a film for the kids. If they want to see it, sure. If you’re a parent, you won’t want to abandon them to escape the cinema. If you’re free to choose whatever you want at the multiplex, I wouldn’t put this picture at the top of the list, but it's not all bad. In the end, I was pleasantly surprised by “Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life”, but it still doesn’t rise to that middle-of-the-road level. There are enough good things about it that allowed me to enjoy it, but mixed in there were decisions that made me go “That’s unfortunate. You really could’ve had something special here”. (Theatrical version on the big screen, October 17, 2016)