Summary: This coming of age story is based on Thomas Rockwell's young-adult-lit classic about an otherwise average kid who stands up to the class bully.

Thomas Rockwell's classic children's novel is adapted to the big screen in this delightful, touching adventure. Billy (charming newcomer Luke Benward, BECAUSE OF WINN-DIXIE) has just moved with his parents and little brother, Woody (Ty Panitz) to a new town, and the first day of school does not go well for him. He gets on the wrong side of school bully Joe (Adam Hicks), and when he fights back--something none of the other kids have ever had the courage to do--he ends up accepting a dare to eat 10 worms in the course of one day. As Joe and his gang strive to cook up ever more revolting recipes, Billy gradually wins the respect of his peers, and gains courage in his own abilities too. He befriends Erika (Hallie Kate Eisenberg) and becomes the champion of the underdog, dispelling the myth of Joe's power and unexpectedly having a blast along the way. The film is spot-on in its depiction of a kid's universe, complete with peer pressure, the mild threat of adult intervention, and the occasional flight of fancy, such as the witch the boys encounter by the river. Billy's relationship with his pesky little brother is hilarious and something almost any kid can relate to, and his dad (Thomas Cavanagh, SCRUBS) provides an entertaining subplot that shows how some things don't change, no matter what age you are.

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The popular 1973 kid's book How to Eat Fried Worms gets a respectful, straightforward translation with this 2006 movie. When bullies put worms in his thermos, Billy fights back--and only gets in deeper trouble when he makes a stomach-churning bet that he can eat ten worms.

Using a variety of cooking schemes, the pack of bullies make a slimy meal even more repulsive, but Billy--to his own surprise--takes on everything they throw at him. As the disgustingness escalates, he discovers that not everyone is what they seem. Though many story elements are changed from the book, How to Eat Fried Worms treats the situation and characters with intelligence and integrity. There are a few cartoonish moments (including some inventive animated sequences), but overall the movie is down-to-earth and sincere, delivering some simple and unforced messages about courage and friendship along with the gross-out humour. The kids--including Luke Benward (Because of Winn-Dixie) as Billy and Hallie Kate Eisenberg (probably best known in the US from a series of popular Pepsi ads) as a too-tall girl who shares Billy's outsider status--aren't overly slick, and the scenes between Billy and his father (Tom Cavanaugh, from the TV show Ed) feel honest and unpatronising. A modest but heartfelt movie. --Bret Fetzer

Aspect Ratio:	16:9 Anamorphic Wide Screen
Main Language:	English
Region:	Region 2
Special Features:	Gag reel, Worm montage, Deleted scenes, Movie making fun, Worm cuisine, Commentary, Music videos , Trailer
Year:	2006
Release Date:	March 12, 2007
Runtime:	98 minutes
Certification:
Catalogue Number:	E D V 9408
Keywords:	Comedy, How, Eat, Fried, Worms
Genre:	Comedy