I didn't know that this movie is based off a book series. With that said, I thought the movie was ok. Lots of cliche' type lines and scenes but it delivers to who it is supposed to deliver to, kids between the ages of 7-13. I took my daughter who is on the low end of the age group and she rated it as "awesome". It was a neat movie for me to watch but to be honest if not for my children I would never have watched it on my own. Take your children if you want to take them to a movie they will like and enjoy.