A Rather Disgusting Film, But Entertaining None The Less. (How To Eat Fried Worms (DVD))

Member Name: boredindunoon

Product:	How To Eat Fried Worms (DVD)
Date:	04/06/09 (84 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Ingenius Methods Of 'Cooking' Worms, Funny & Gruesome. Good Subplots & Undertones.

Disadvantages: May Not Appeal To Many Adults.

Based on the 1973 book of the same title "How To Eat Fried Worms" was released in 2006 and directed by Bob Dolman. The films cast comprises mainly of children, but a few that you may recognize are Luke Benward, Hallie Kate Eisenberg (who played Little Miss in Bicentennial Man) and Ryan Malgarini (Freaky Friday).

The film follows an eleven year old boy called Billy, who at his first day at a new school accidentally challenges the town bully. To avoid looking like a whip and to help earn some respect and friends from his classmates, he finds himself making a bet that he can eat ten worms before seven o'clock on Saturday without throwing up. The fact that he was bluffing and has a rather weak stomach makes the task all the more difficult, as his fellow classmates and the bullies henchmen (or henchboys?) start to cook up a variety of dishes all of which increase in ever more unappealing ways.

For a children's film it is actually pretty entertaining and at times genius when they try to find new disgusting methods of 'cooking' worms. This film has a definite appeal for children who are at the age that they like to be "grossed out" by things. There are also plenty of comic moments that helps to keep the film more like a comedy and less like a Fear Factor like horror.

At it's heart "How To Eat Fried Worms" is a tale about bullying, friendship, courage and being able to overcome problems. The film offers some important lessons such as fitting in at a new school and overcoming fear. These back-tones while evident are not overly present in the film and don't detract from the viewing pleasure in anyway.

There isn't much structure to the film, just multiple scenes of worm eating throughout, in that respect it appeals even more to the younger audience as it's easy to follow, understand, and above all else is rather disgusting. At times even I looked away from the screen (such as the microwave scene.)

Don't let the child cast put you off, as while some of them are inexperienced, in general they all work well together and deliver as good a performance as necessary for a film with a target audience of children. What was especially good and totally realistic was their reactions in the film towards eating the worms.

I read the book upon which the film is based back in Primary school, and as far as I can remember it has been reasonably faithfully adapted for the screen. It would also be an ideal opportunity to encourage your child to read something in the form of the book as an follow-up to the film.

Finally I should point out for all you 'Save The Worms' people out there, that no real worms were harmed or ingested during the film. Just remember to tell your kids, not to try what they see on the television.

Also included on the DVD are a variety of special features, those that a well worth a watch are the deleted scenes, Gag Reel, and Worm Montage. You also have music videos, a trailer, commentary, and a Worm Cuisine to choose from.

This normally wouldn't be my first choice of film but all things considered it is one that I rather enjoyed watching. Overall the film has been done really well and kids will definitely enjoy it.

(I'm a reviewer on Amazon, and some my reviews are copied from there to dooyoo. Please feel free to check out my Amazon profile under my real name of Mr Andrew M Kerr.)

Summary: Thanks For Reading.