Matilda

1998, I had to endure watching this on repeat because my little brother was obsessed with it. I was young , I don't think I appreciated it enough.

Skip ahead to the present day , I'm 37 and my own child is now watching it non stop and is obsessed with it. Being older I finally understand what the fuss is all about. I love the film and watch it as many times as my child does. Know every line word for Word. 22 or so years will do that to You.

Update - i'm now 42 with a 1yr old and i have a whole new generation to watch this film all over again with! I can probably act out all the scenes as a one person play now.

Critics always get away with giving a lot of good movies the bad ratings. Matilda was one of them.

I happened to think Matilda was particularly great.

Mara Wilson did good as the title character, except on some levels she acted more like a kid, while more of an over-sophisticated teen on other levels. The only thing missing in her future is a part as the star character in yet another Alice in Wonderland project.

Pam Ferris seemingly got the part of Ms. Truchbull for an obvious reason. No offense, but she's UGLY!! That best fit Ms. Trunchbull's personality.

Danny DeVito was sort of trying to put a one-man act in the film. He was Matilda's dad, the director, and one of the producers.

The other actors/actresses, Rhea Perlman, Embeth Davidtz, Brian Levinson, etc. did good as those they were acting as. That's what made this movie so wonderful. The casting was the right price.

Again, the producers decided to wait until the original story writer passed away before making a movie from one of his works. The British story was somehow modified into an American perspective. One thing most people don't understand is how advanced Matilda's content is, even though it was probably intended for kids. That doesn't make it a bad thing; movies have to appeal to everyone in general, not just little kids.

But other than that, Matilda was a real treat.

I am 33 years old while I am writing these words, and I must admit I am fully enjoyed watching this movie despite this movie was made for kids and despite my age as I referred in the beginning. every thing was perfect . the simple wonderful story , the great acting specially from MARA , that was amazing , that's a kind of movies we are missing these days . my advice to all go watch this , you will not regret.

7/10

I can't say 'Matilda' was one of my favorite Roald Dahl books as a child but the movie adaption isn't that bad.

Matilda is a very bright and intelligent for a girl of her age. She's quite different from her grouchy and ignorant parents. Danny DeVito was good as Matilda's grouchy father, he often plays very grouchy characters. Mrs Trunchbull is as scary as she is in the book. She's worse than mean. She's a deranged and aggressive monster! She's an absolute monster! She hates children and does nothing except bully and intimidate them.

As for Mrs Jennifer Honey she's the exact opposite of Mrs Trunchbull. She's kindest and sweetest teacher you could find. She's like a mother to her school children and tries to protect them, but unfortunately she to is intimidated by Mrs Trunchbull. So when Matilda develops these telekinetic powers, it is up to her to teach Mrs Trunchbull an ultimate lesson.

I really liked the relationship Matilda has with Mrs Honey. It reminds me of the relationships I had with certain teachers at school. So I would say this movie is both frightening and touching at the same time.

I believe this film best represents the themes behind Roald Dahl's rather subversive children's literature. It follows the continuity of both "The Witches" and "James and the Giant Peach," casting repulsive Trunchbull into the roles of Grand High Witch and repulsive evil aunt, with a bit of the ogre (especially during the chase in Magnus House).

It's also pretty obvious that J.K. Rowling had read Roald Dahl long before she wrote the first of her Harry Potter books. I find it very odd how few people have noted Roald Dahl's literary influence on the spate of children's fantasy authors today. All the elements for Harry are here, in Matilda, right down to her unpleasant 'Muggle' family -- the Wormwoods -- and a brutish, Dudley-like brother.

And for the record, Mara Wilson does a good job!