Rating PG
Length 1h57
Release 02.12.2022
Director Matthew Marchus
About Matilda lives with her brother and parents, who are unappreciative of her. She utilises her telekinetic abilities to settle the score after her principal brutally tortures her with the help of her kind-hearted teacher.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: Netflix
Trailer:
The Good
I’m very happy the film did not keep to the stage adaption’s tradition of casting a man in the role of Ms Trunchball. I found it odd it the play, but had they cast raph fines as originally planned it wouldn’t have translated.
Keeping with Trunchball, Emma Thompson is glorious in the role. I was curious how she was going to have the physical presence given her naturally tiny frame. Not quite sure how it was achieved, but it all works.
Alisha Weir does an incredible job at carrying this film as the powerful and courageous Matilda. As much as I don’t want the Harry Potter adaptation to go ahead, Weir is perfect for Hermione.
The production design is stunning, particularly the school which you can see clearly the prison inspiration.
I do love that the story has returned to England for this production. There’s something inherently British about the story and while the Danny DeVito directed film is incredible, there’s a charm and tone here that is missing in the other.
The Bad
I do not like most musicals, and this is not exception. The opening number almost saw me turning it right off.
The Ugly
There’s something about a musical worked around children. Perhaps it’s that they are not able to sing using the full range, but it’s musical talking over a score. It makes me want to rip my ears off.
Final Thoughts
I’ll never watch it again, but if you love your musicals you might gain some enjoyment from it.
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