Look what they're saying about the movie!

We like the movie, and that's well and good, but it's nice to hear other people weigh in. What did YOU like or not like about the movie? Here's what the pros said:

“Nicely directed, the film version proves refreshingly free of the customary blights that affect most modern children’s movies, notably adult condescension.”

- Manohla Dargis, New York Times


“It presents kids as real, basically goofy beings and not as miniature, sarcastic, attitude-poisoned adults. That's one thing in its favor. It's also smart, funny and full of queasy imagery kids will love and parents will turn their heads from. And finally, it teaches a lesson without it being condescending to its target audience. That last thing alone is almost like a miracle.”

- Dave White, movies.com


“…you begin to wonder if it wasn’t just made for fifth-graders, but by them as well. That’s a compliment, of course. For Worms is one of those rare kiddie flicks that successfully adopt a child’s-eye view of the world, where nothing is more important than saving face on the playground and where parents are as distant and clueless as storybook giants.”

- Scott Foundas, LA Weekly


“Aside from a single reference to the Internet, it would be easy to assume that Bob Dolman's winning adaptation of Thomas Rockwell's 1973 children's book was actually made in the '70s. Here's hoping its old-fashioned sensibility appeals to contemporary kids, because we could certainly use more movies as smart and sweet as this one.”

- Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News


“Judging by mainstream movies, no one in Hollywood has ever actually met (much less had) an actual child: Kids in American movies tend to be spooky, precocious mini-adults, prone to wise sayings and highly calculated antics. Granted, it's hard to direct children, much less coach them into something as nuanced as naturalism, especially since few directors have the courage of How To Eat Fried Worms writer-director Bob Dolman, who seemingly just wound his cast up, then stood back and watched. The results are anarchic but charmingly authentic.”

- Tasha Robinson, The Onion AV Club


“While changes have been made to the book in the interest of compressing the story and emphasizing certain life lessons, the 33-year-old premise is still perfectly in sync with the sensibilities of preteen boys everywhere.”

-Angel Cohn, TV Guide


“Based on a best-selling children's novel by Thomas Rockwell, Worms has its share of kid-friendly gross-outs but is actually a sweet-natured look at standing up to bullies.”

“The themes are sensible: Kids are not the only ones who suffer bullies or have a tough time adapting to new surroundings. More important, How to Eat Fried Worms has a message of self-empowerment and tolerance that, while familiar, avoids treacliness.”

“There is almost an old-fashioned quality to this simple film…the youthful cast is distinctive and talented. And the emotions and reactions of the characters ring true.”

- Claudia Puig, USA TODAY