VividSimon
Simply Perfect
Smartorhypo
Highly Overrated But Still Good
Suman Roberson
It's a movie as timely as it is provocative and amazingly, for much of its running time, it is weirdly funny.
chimera3
As a kid, I was always the misunderstood outcast who was far different than everyone else. I was teased and bullied because I was slightly overweight and I had intelligence that had others feel intimidated. Ever since then, I have been drawn to movies where the victim gets revenge on his/her attackers in ingenious ways. For as long as I can remember, I have always been a big fan of "Matilda" and it is something that I would recommend to anyone who has troubles with bullies in school.From the day she was born, Matilda was the shunned one and her brother Michael was always looked at like a golden boy...almost literally. As she got older, she became able to look out for herself without help from her mindless, ignorant parents (Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman). She became able to read at an adult level by the time she was 4 and stunned the librarian while angering her father at the same time.At 6, she has longed to go to school but her father won't let her because he's running a shady business out of his car dealership and needs her as his makeshift go-between to sign for "packages." It as at that point that Matilda (Mara Wilson) discovers that she is able to move things with her mind, also known as telekinesis. When she is finally "allowed" to go to school, she continues to wow her teacher Miss Honey (Embeth Davidtz) while drawing the scorn of her tyrannical principal Agatha Trunchbull (Pam Ferris) as well.As time wears on, she makes friends and becomes very close to Miss Honey while doing her best to dodge barbs by Miss Trunchbull. The unwavering little girl then discovers that she and her family are being watched by investigators (Paul "Pee Wee Herman" Reubens and Tracey Walter) who are determined to bring her father down. She does everything in her power (literally) to slow them down but it is not good enough.By the time all is said and done, Miss Trunchbull is ousted from the school for good while Matilda's parents and her brother flee the country, leaving the young soul in the care of Miss Honey. There are no hard feelings, of course, seeing as how her parents and brother couldn't have cared less about her.From start to finish, "Matilda" is a classic that will warm your heart. It has some priceless laughs in between, but what more can you expect with a child with telekinesis who uses it to get even with her bullies? While I have never read the book of this by Roald Dahl, I can only imagine that it is just as good.If you've got kids who are constantly being bullied in school, show this to them to send a message that they are not alone. As the title of my review states, cruelty has no age limit. Kids, adults, it doesn't matter. There are some who are more cruel than others. It is just that simple.
stormhawk2018
A charming and fun children's movie with some nice lead performances. It's nothing that hasn't been done before, but it does everything well enough to get a solid recommendation from me. It's just an entertaining and light-hearted film that will definitely resonate with its target crowd of younger children, but it made me feel like a kid at the same time. The film is smart and doesn't have juvenile humor or a half-baked story. It's actually a very well told story with a good message and is well directed by Danny DeVito. There's plenty of memorable characters played wonderfully by some lesser known actors/actresses. Imaginative and unique, Matilda is a movie that children of all ages will likely enjoy on some level, but also happens to be a worthwhile time for the whole family.
Davis P
Matilda is a depressing, boring, poor, stale movie. Matilda disappoints in almost way possible. The plot is completely uninteresting and just plain boring. The acting is just mediocre to be honest and there is literally nothing to brag about. The effects are not very good, and the scenes where the power/effects are used are boring. I don't see how anyone can even stay awake during this dud. I especially don't see how children could be interested. For one thing, it is a little dark for children, and the headmaster is very threatening. And another thing, the parents in this film are literally the worst people ever! Like its shocking and just depressing whenever the parents come on screen. I mean there isn't all that much to say about this movie, it falls completely flat on its face. Even the ending is just sad and depressing in my opinion, much like the entire film. 1/10 for Matilda.
Python Hyena
Matilda (1996): Dir: Danny De Vito / Cast: Mara Wilson, Danny De Vito, Rhea Perlman, Pam Ferris, Embeth Davidtz: Creative yet misguided family film aimed at the wrong audience. Mara Wilson plays Matilda, a smart little girl with telekinetic powers. Danny De Vito plays her father who sells stolen auto parts, and Rhea Perlman plays her mother who blows all income at bingo. Matilda is interested in school but her parents insist that television is a faster source of information. When she is finally enrolled in school she becomes quickly aware of the principal's abusive tendencies towards students. She locks kids in a closet, and force feeds one boy until he cannot eat anymore. Fine setup becomes predictable with a mishandled conclusion. It plays like a juvenile version of Carrie but director De Vito has fun with the dazzling visual elements. Wilson is charming as Matilda whose willingness for education is admirable but her handling of the principal may warrant discernment. De Vito and Perlman are funny as her deranged parents but their decision regarding Matilda's future in the conclusion is too convenient. Pam Ferris as the ruthless principal is difficult to believe since what parent would send their children to her? She is about as psychotic as the standard slasher film villain. Embeth Davidtz plays the cardboard role of a teacher with whom Matilda connects. Themes support learning and address social isolation. Score: 6 ½ / 10
