In the words of the one and only Ramona Quimby, “Ramona and Beezus” is “terrifical.”
Viewers who had an imagination like Ramona’s will long to return to the magical world of elementary school. Those who didn’t will get a glimpse into what they missed.
The movie follows Ramona — the spunky youngster with the cut-straight-across bangs all girls suffered through at one point — as she makes her stand against growing up and “coloring within the lines.”
Long-time Beverly Cleary fans will delight in seeing the book sprawled across the big screen with its essential themes and characters intact.
Scenes will make you beg to return to third grade — where the biggest problem is taking a horrendous photo on school picture day and the solution to every tough situation is to run away.
Joey King plays the adorable Ramona and Selena Gomez surprises and impresses as older sister Beezus. King and Gomez have a comfortable on-screen relationship that translates to some sweet sister moments.
The supporting cast is equally well cast. Sandra Oh plays the strict but well-meaning teacher. John Corbett is the fun-loving dad. Hutch Dano is Henry Higgins, the other half of Beezus’s wonderfully cute yet first-boyfriend-awkward romance. Ginnifer Goodwin adds an adult love scenario as Aunt Bea, the family member you always wish you had.
Though the movie focuses mostly on the antics of Ramona, the supporting character’s story lines are all developed and add color to the movie.
Ramona and Beezus is marketed as a family friendly movie and delivers (the only naughty word spoken is “guts”).
Both younger and older sisters will find themselves relating to their on-screen counterparts. Ramona stars as the perpetually annoying yet incredibly endearing younger sister. Beezus charms as the young teenage navigating through her first relationship with constant mishaps caused by the pest, Ramona.
As the oldest sister, I can attest that the director gets the sister dynamic down pat: lots of moments of slamming doors, being annoyed out of your mind by their antics and lots of teasing, but some touchy-feely “I’ve got your back moments” to cause the audience to “aww.”
Though it takes awhile to get the action rolling, audience members will be enchanted and enraptured as they hold their breathe to see what farfetched scheme Ramona will come up with next, if Henry and Beezus will get their kiss and, most importantly, whether the family gets the happy ending they deserve.
It’s a family-friendly movie, so the movie wraps everything up with happy bows and ribbons. But, you’ll be so lost in the Quimbys’ world, you’d be furious if they got anything less.
Throw aside the grown up decisions for an hour. Travel back to the world of recess, imagination, lemonade sales, scary monsters hiding under the bed and even more imagination. The responsibilities will still be there when you exit the theater, but you’ll feel more excited to tackle them.
Grade: A