Matilda the Musical

 It's time to rush one last review out before the new year. So, how about another Roald Dahl re-adaptation? We have an asterisk, this time!

One of his last works, Matilda, was previously filmed in 1996 with Danny DeVito directing himself as the no-good Mr. Wormwood, the title character's (Mara Wilson) dad. The asterisk is that this is Matilda the Musical, the film of the stage musical directed by Matthew Warchus and scripted by Dennis Kelly, who reprise their roles here. Let's talk more about it.

While most parents adore their newborns, the Wormwoods care less about their Matilda (Alisha Weir). Mrs. Wormwood (Andrea Riseborough) only finds out about her pregnancy when it's too late. Mr. Wormwood (Stephen Graham) is bummed that he didn't get a son. Years later, Matilda frequents Mrs. Phelps's (Sindhu Vee) mobile library for whatever's around. The authorities get the Wormwoods to enroll Matilda in public school. They end up sending her to the gloomy Crunchem Hall, run by an ogrish headmistress, Ms. Trunchbull (Emma Thompson). The only bright spot for Matilda is her teacher, Ms. Honey (Lashana Lynch), who supports her pursuing a higher education. 

Matilda slowly but surely realizes she's telekinetic. This makes it easier for her to get back at the cruel adults in her life. Meanwhile, she spins a tragic tale for Mrs. Phelps about an Escapologist and an Acrobat. It's a lot more relevant than she realizes. She needs to master her gifts to save her classmates from being locked in Trunchbull's Iron Maidens, The Chokeys. 

Trunchbull is a good distillation of Dahl's sinister whimsy. Her punishments for troublemakers include hammer-tossing a student by her pigtails and forcing another to eat a whole chocolate cake. Her punishing anyone regardless of true guilt makes her more unnerving. Her vision of a childless world is silly and a bit weird. The makeup team and cinematographer Tat Radcliffe help make her imposing. Tim Minchen's songs help us empathize with the kids feeling powerless under her Iron Fist. Overall, Thompson is surprisingly good as Trunchbull.

Weir is excellent as Matilda. We're on her side as she copes with the uncaring adults in her life. Her getting even with them gives us some great results. A few of its best moments are when she realizes her telekinesis. Her finally using them on Trunchbull is quite pleasing. As for the adults, Graham and Wiseborough are perfectly lousy as the Wormwoods, while Lynch and Vee are pleasant as Ms. Honey and Mrs. Phelps.

The film's locales were designed by David Hindle and Christian Huband. Its bright and cheery opening number is too much, perhaps intentionally so. But you'll be used to the brightness as the film goes on. The Escapologist and Acrobat subplot is set in a circus as perfectly farfetched as their act. Crunchem Hall is just as menacing as its headmistress. The visual effects for Matilda's powers were cool. One particularly memorable moment was her summoning up a storm with her powers. The musical numbers had some good staging, though it often sounded like the music overpowered the lyrics. Maybe it was just me.

Matilda the Musical was released for Netflix, though theaters might be playing it somewhere. Whether on the big screen or your screen is a good venue for this fine family musical. Its villains are often overwhelming with their cruelty. But their comeuppances are quite pleasing. Its songs and protagonist help keep its 117-minutes moving right along. See what I mean when you see it. That's all for this year.