The world of Ramona and Beezus is an interesting one. The story revolves mainly around Ramona, a child finding it a tough struggle with being her own childish self and one that is dealing with budding family issues (including losing her home, friends and way of life). On top of all this, she is notoriously clumsy and constantly finding herself in unintentional trouble. Trying to help, Beezus (her older sister) does her best to guide her younger sibling in the right direction, but lacks patience due to the fact that she’s a teenager trying to keep it together as well. Combined, they’re goofy and loving.
While certainly I will acknowledge right off the bat that this movie has its fair share of holes and lack of smooth transitions between plot points. It rolls through situations without apology and creates really unbelievable moments that generally mean death for a child (in a funny sense) rather than forgiveness. For example, if a child were to accidentally pull the tire holders out on a jeep and watch it roll into a small garage filled with various paint buckets, you would probably have a heart attack. In Ramona and Beezus‘ world it just means another funny moment for viewers to cringe at.
So, yes this is a movie with some realistic flaws.
With that said, this is just a ‘movie’. If you go into the film expecting too much and asking for realism you’re going to be walking away disappointed. If you can forgive the film for all its flaws (or at least temporarily excuse them) what you’re going to find is a lighthearted comedy about a struggling family trying to keep it together. You’ll have a full gambit of moments that most of us have experienced in life when we were kids. You’ll find a couple of kids worrying about if their home is going to be taken from them. You’ll find them worrying about if their once-in-a-while fighting parents are going to get a divorce. You’ll find two siblings that love each other, but at the same time really can’t stand each other at moments of importance; all of these things are perfect representations of real life. Together they may not work perfectly, but individually they’re spot on.
Of course, these moments only work when the right actors fall into place for them. Joey King’s portrayal of Ramona Quimby is perfect. She’s obnoxious, bright, heart breaking and believable. She plays way above her age and it ultimately leads the movie like it should. Selena Gomez, Ramona’s sister Beezus, does a great job as the older sibling. While I think she was completely misrepresented in the trailer, she plays a perfect sister that is constantly annoyed by her younger sibling (but does show compassion when needed). Outside of the major players, a subtle actor that has been subtle all his acting career, but damn good, is John Corbett; he plays their father Robert. His typical relaxed attitude that he had in Northern Exposure and My Big Fat Greek Wedding rears its head here and, just like in those productions, he works out quite beautifully. Through all the chaos that goes on with Ramona, he’s the calming light that brings everyone’s tension level down.
Anyway, good acting mixed with a lighthearted family film means that you should watch this if you have some kids in the household (it would probably be good for Thanksgiving if you need to calm the relative’s kids down). Just go into it with an open mind and understand that director Elizabeth Allen isn’t shooting for an Academy Award winning piece and you’ll find it a pleasant experience.
Now, as for the features attached to this DVD, you’re in for the same type of pleasant treat. Here’s what you’re looking at:
– Show & Tell Film School
– Deleted Scenes
– Gag Reel
– My Ramona with Author Beverly Cleary
– Theatrical Trailer
The featurette on the film (Show & Tell) is pretty solid, though short. It has some interviews with director and cast. It just gives some insight into the vision of the film and what people did and expected as the film was being shot. The Beverly Cleary featurette is darn good, as is the gag reel (gag reels are always fun). The rest is blah, but somewhat interesting. Overall, the features are good and they compliment a decent movie.