Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life

Based on a series of YA books co-authored by James Patterson (who has a cameo as an angry restaurateur) and Chris Tebbetts, this pre-teen comedy serves up a fairly dismal retread of territory covered in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid movies. The young hero is Rafe (Griffin Gluck), a talented artist who fills his sketchbook with imaginative drawings that come to life in his imagination (here, in crude animation). Still grieving over the death of his brother, Rafe is tormented at home by his troublemaking sis Georgia (Alexa Nisenson), and by Carl (Rob Riggle), the odious boyfriend of their loving but clueless mother (Lauren Graham). Already bounced from two schools for acting out, Rafe has transferred to Hills Village, which is ruled by a tyrannical principal (Andy Daly) and his bullying assistant (Retta)—both officious oafs. Their only interest lies in maintaining the school's first-place ranking on standardized tests, which is being threatened by the “remedials”—including Rafe--who are taught by gregarious Mr. Teller (Adam Pally). Rafe, along with his old pal Leo (Thomas Barbusca) and new campus friend Jeanne (Isabela Moner), foment rebellion by breaking every rule in the student handbook. Naturally, there are consequences, but of course Rafe's problems at home and school will ultimately be successfully resolved. Overall, Middle School feels like a mediocre cable TV movie for kids. Optional, at best. (F. Swietek)