Movie Review: How to Eat Fried Worms

I read this book as a kid, and sort of vague remembered it. Basically I remembered liking it. Billy, a new kid with a weak stomach, stands up to the school bully, leading to a bet that he can eat 10 worms in one day. Halle Kate Eisenberg (the former "Pepsi Girl" is a too-tall misfit girl who befriends him. Of course, he has the obligatory obnoxious younger brother and the parents who just don't quite understand (though they mean well).

There is a definitely gross-out factor in this one, aimed at pre-adolescent boys, and if you've got a strong gag reflex, you might need to look away a few times. Subplots briefly touch on why the bully is mean and that adults face bullies, too. The message isn't deep and the jokes are cute and funny. I actually enjoyed the movie, and wouldn't mind if it's one of the ones Eddie will eventually want to do over and over. Many kids' movies seem aimed more at girls, what with all the princesses and cutesy-ness, but this is definitely one for boys.

It's not high theatre, but it'll give you a few giggles.

Three out of five stars