Matilda the musical

Submitted by FunnyPleasant7057 t3_zuwih4 in movies

This movie is an absolute masterpiece!! I can’t remember the last time I cried such tears of joy, sadness and experienced all the emotions I could experience. The songs and the lyrics are magical. Emma Thompson gives her best performance ever. The characters who played Maltilda, Miss Honey and Mrs Phelps were superb. I have always been a big fan of the earlier Matilda movie and felt no remake could top that. I was so wrong. This movie is on the level of Sound of Music and Mary Poppins. Please bring back the trend of these beautiful British musicals so our kids are introduced to some wonderful innocence and a bit of naughty.

151

Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

Flyawaylittlemonkey t1_j1m8a3b wrote

I really enjoyed it as someone who has seen the stage musical many times.

The only downside for me was I did feel (as I felt in the stage play) that having the kind librarian figure detracts from Matilda's relationship with Miss Honey. There's only a limited amount of screen time, and I would have preferred it that Miss Honey got to shine a little more. Lashana Lynch is an amazing actress and she did a wonderful job.

Likewise, the role of the parents was very abbreviated to make room for more of the escapology story. I know that the angle of this version is "the power of stories" but every time we went to the flashback, the overall movie lost momentum. Onstage the parents have some more to do, which I really enjoyed, because it was very funny and added nuance.

I also really loved how they handled "When I Grow Up". As one of my favourite songs from the musical, I was worried about the staging (since it's a very physical song on stage!) but they did a wonderful job with it.

72

rizgutgak t1_j1ob5vy wrote

Just watched it for Christmas with my family. Those kids' dancing skills were unreal.

The Red Berrett girl stole every scene she was in.

Absolutely fantastic

72

KLJohnnes t1_j1zd50f wrote

>The Red Berrett girl stole every scene she was in.

Was expecting her to play a bigger role as she was the one with a different visual (The broken arm and the red berrett) but she didn't really, she just is an extremely talented dancer.

24

Rexyggor t1_j22fzjq wrote

In the OG movie, she's just the older blond girl right?

9

Lybychick t1_j1lovsl wrote

I took our youngest daughter to see Matilda the Musical on stage because she loved the original movie. It was her first exposure to quality live theater and it blew her away. It inspired her to volunteer with the tech crew for the drama group when she got to college.

I’m glad to know they’ve reworked the original source material into a musical on film. We may need to watch it while Christmasing together next weekend.

58

FunnyPleasant7057 OP t1_j1ptopz wrote

You’re so lucky to see the original. I live in India and can only dream! One day perhaps! We love reading Roald Dahl.

17

Own-Appearance5698 t1_j1r409e wrote

Those kids can DANCE. Hats off to them. Cute film and I loved loved loved Lashana Lynch.

31

sadeekukasombol t1_j1p2lx4 wrote

I can’t believe they didn’t include telly.

26

Pjoernrachzarck t1_j1ttc17 wrote

I like it. The power of stories is the power of stories, and adding television as a villanous influence muddles these waters in ways that I find unfair.

Great song though.

13

SolitaryForager t1_j1xtplp wrote

I’m watching this right now and I love it! It seems to reflect more on the child abuse and coping mechanisms Matilda uses. It’s a bit more sad as a result, but in a way that connects you more personally to her and give the vengeance and victory more satisfaction. I love the phys ed scene where Matilda is staring down Trunchbull and the storm is building (“Quiet”). I adore the previous movie version (it has more comedic tones IMO) but this is a worthy interpretation.

Oh and now I’m watching Miss Honey sing “My House” and I guess this is where I cry.

26

FunnyPleasant7057 OP t1_j209e79 wrote

The ending where Ms Honey n Matilda hold hands is where I cry 😭

5

Rexyggor t1_j22g2ov wrote

That is my secret wedding song to whoever I marry. Or... pretend to marry. Cause the world knows I probably won't

2

JaredRed5 t1_j1m3rr7 wrote

Saw it in the theater a few weeks ago and loved it!

20

kia75 t1_j1ponxk wrote

I loved it and agree! The musical was amazing and more than the sum of its parts. I have a lot of little niggles, the music isn't really memorable, The Librarian detracts from Mrs. Honey, and the story does sort of pause every time they start the escapist story, but those are Hitchock's infamous "fridge" moments, where you don't think about them while watching the movie, you only think about them while you're opening the fridge after getting a midnight snack, the movie as a whole work and while watching every moment is breath-taking.

I didn't even know this move was released, I was flipping through Netflix to catch the latest Knives out movie and found Matilda instead!

19

Chloebean t1_j21aalr wrote

I agree about the librarian, but disagree that the music isn’t memorable! Revolting Children is a total bop.

10

Rexyggor t1_j22g7sc wrote

I think some of it is fun. A lot of the songs feel so... pattery so it's hard to bop with them. Revolting Children is more traditional in form.

8

SolitaryForager t1_j1xutx1 wrote

You hit on the one thing I would change if I could - the Librarian character really distracts from the bonding Matilda is supposed to have with Miss Honey. She feels a bit flat in comparison.

6

East_Coast_Main155 t1_j2clndm wrote

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought Ms. Honey and Matilda didn't get the proper bonding!

5

Surrealist37 t1_j1nonvy wrote

Just finished watching this with the family. I put it on because my daughter loved the original film. I didn’t intend on watching it. I ended up watching the whole thing. It was very well done. Really enjoyed it.

13

thisispants t1_j1tr5d8 wrote

I didn't love the movie, it was ok.

The choreography however was absolutely killer, incredible stuff.

Hats off to whoever did it.

12

hamiltrash52 t1_j21oqnd wrote

Choreography was very much the best part of the movie

8

Chloebean t1_j21b4yl wrote

I mostly liked it, but didn’t LOVE it.

Really enjoyed “Naughty.” Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood are the funniest parts of the musical, so I was bummed that they were basically cameos here.

There were a couple of new songs, weren’t there? Wish they hadn’t cut some of the originals for them.

“Revolting Children” was amazing.

Strangely, the thing that bothered me most was changing Trunchbull from being Miss Honey’s father’s sister to being her mother’s sister. Just..why? It makes no sense.

12

fiercetankbattle t1_j1lrz7t wrote

I’ve seen the show 3 times over the years. Can’t wait to watch this! I’ve read nothing but good reviews so far

9

SufferingSaxifrage t1_j1zvr15 wrote

Watched and thoroughly enjoyed it having grown up with the book and the 90s movie. I will say having not seen the play but seeing Revolting Children all over the place, I expected it to come one beat sooner, >!before trunchbull's ultimate defeat, not in celebration of it!<

9

ztreHdrahciR t1_j1ocwfw wrote

Watching currently. This is excellent, but the 1996 Miss Trunchbull was better. She was amazing. Also the original Bruce and the cook were better.

8

Memphisrexjr t1_j252hqr wrote

This version is obviously more for the Broadway fans. There’s too much color and unnecessary extra things added. Matilda talking to the librarian feels like an entirely different movie and it takes away the focus of her relationship with Miss Honey. None of the actors or songs stood out to me. A lot of the movie is too colorful as if it’s a Dr Seuss movie. It feels like it wants to be an entirely different movie while still trying to be Matilda.

7

91271 t1_j26mfyz wrote

It’s based on the musical script. Obviously.

1

popegonzo t1_j1o9q9a wrote

This past summer, one of my kids was in Matilda Jr with our rec department & I loved the show so much I started listening to the soundtrack at work. I was so happy to see it was coming to Netflix & loved it.

I naturally still want to see it on stage.

5

snapitoff t1_j1yf3ml wrote

The “when I grow up” song and scenes felt very out of place

5

caristeej0 t1_j2bgr4k wrote

Just outstanding, utterly incredible. I loved the stage show and was a little concerned that it wouldn't translate to a movie very well, but I'm glad I was wrong!

I absolutely adore the book, the 90s movie, the theatre show and now the movie musical, we even named our daughter Matilda, still waiting to see if she has powers though!

5

ohw09 t1_j29z7xf wrote

It was okay. My love of the Mara Wilson movie was just how mischievous and magical it was. Everyone was great and the story flowed well. The musical was awesome and evoked the same feelings. Plus I love Tim Minchin and thought all the songs were great. But this movie, the choppiness, editing, and just how the story came together, I didn't feel it gave anyone and anything enough room to breath. Everything in isolation was good, but the parts didn't gel together for me, so a lot of the emotions I felt from the first movie and the musical didn't translate to this one. I was so excited for it, and felt let down. I guess I was expecting a lot more.

4

MurmurOfTheCine t1_j22zg4r wrote

Very good adaptation on the whole. The stage musical was one of my favourite I ever saw on the West End, so this was very nostalgic for me.

Bit disappointed they didn’t focus on the parents a bit more like the stage version, and I really wasn’t fussed on this version of “When I Grow Up”, which is my favourite song from the musical on stage. Worked way better with the OG swing set or even with the bike/scooter set it morphed into.

Also not to be rude but is Bruce’s actor a dwarf? I get that they haven’t been getting fat kids to necessarily portray him anymore, but he was so short and stout it looked rather odd?

3

Bheggard t1_j2a48vm wrote

I like the musical. Some of the songs are really good, but I don't think I can call it a masterpiece. I feel this musical movie could've been refined just a little bit more in some parts.

3

Rexyggor t1_j22fv1o wrote

I loved Miss Honey. She was wonderful to watch. I also liked Mrs. Phelps.

I was kind of sad there was no redemption for Mrs. Wormwood. That was what made the end of the OG movie so nice.

It was a bit abrasive at the start. I thought there would've been a more world-building intro.

Do you know if the musical follows more closely the book? Therefore this also following more closely the book than the other movie?

The last song is now the song I will sing for my future husband... If that ever happens.

2

D_o_H t1_j1p7mfd wrote

I love musicals and the Mara Wilson version but I really disliked this version. The songs were mostly unmemorable, the extra characters of the librarian/Miss Honey’s parents weren’t really necessary, and I think the prosthetics really hindered Emma Thompson’s performance. Also I hated how they just called it Chokey instead of The Chokey for some reason lol

−1

MrBeansBear t1_j1qgg3c wrote

It's very much based on the Broadway/West End musical version of Matilda, so will be very different from the Danny DeVito film. If you've seen the stage version, it is much closer aligned to that. Including calling it 'Chokey' (which is more of the British way of saying it). I've seen the stage version a few times and I thought this elevated it. But if I was comparing it to the '96 film, I would probably not love it as much.

27

catsandpomegranates t1_j1ryi3t wrote

I agree with everything you said! I love the Danny DeVito movie. I’ve grown up with it. And then I saw the actual musical, first in London, and then in NYC (in the same year), and it was fantastic - blew my mind. But completely different from the movie I’ve grown up with. I think of the movies as two completely different movies, even though they’re based on the same book/story.

14

MrBeansBear t1_j1tx0te wrote

Yeah, I think that's the best way to think about them, if you compare them, then it won't make much sense at all.

1

Lucius_Funk t1_j1s9d67 wrote

I can’t believe I didn’t turn it off, and watched the whole thing. I thought it was awful.

−8

snapitoff t1_j1yez6b wrote

Can’t get over the Lashana Lynch casting, she has the most off putting face I’ve ever seen. Odd to cast her as the nice teacher. Also not a fan of her as an actress. I feel she delivers all her lines the same way.

−9

SamuraiSanta t1_j1q9430 wrote

Too bad the music tries so much to be a musical it becomes cringe.

−15

Flyawaylittlemonkey t1_j1s9htg wrote

The music from a musical tries too hard to be a musical?

????

37

SamuraiSanta t1_j1shgtv wrote

You know there are bad and good versions of, like, everything?! Even the music in musicals?!

−9

Flyawaylittlemonkey t1_j1tmhm5 wrote

That isn't what you said though. You essentially said that you disliked this musical because the songs are too musically.

9

SamuraiSanta t1_j1v24yg wrote

No. I said the music they made to this musical tried too hard. As in, it got cringe. It happens in music. So don’t get butt hurt just because it happened to a musical.

−8

Flyawaylittlemonkey t1_j1vb8io wrote

You didn't explain yourself clearly and then you got - to use your own phrase, butthurt - when people pointed out you looked like an idiot.

Though judging by the use of "cringe" you're probably about 14, so I'll let you off.

11

SamuraiSanta t1_j1vek7w wrote

I did state quite clearly what I meant. That I had to spoon-feed you an explanation is on you.

−3

Flyawaylittlemonkey t1_j1vgx2s wrote

Mmm mate that's why you're mass downvoted. Maybe just learn from this instead of continuing to be stubborn?

5

SamuraiSanta t1_j1xipbe wrote

I'm down voted by you butt hurt people because I criticized your musical.

−2

CardiBsTwerkWind t1_j1xx786 wrote

Just take the L and keep it pushing my guy

3

SamuraiSanta t1_j1yvbcm wrote

What’s the L here? That I think the composer tried too much? Either you don’t understand how that works, and/or you’re butt hurt. Talk about L 😆

1

supurbwhiteshark t1_j1rzkv7 wrote

It’s literally called Matilda : The Musical , what were you expecting?

26

SamuraiSanta t1_j1s1wyl wrote

I think you have to read my post again.

−9

supurbwhiteshark t1_j1s22xb wrote

The music is from a Broadway musical, adapted into a screenplay. So it is a musical. It’s not “trying” to be one.

17

SamuraiSanta t1_j1s7git wrote

I know it’s a musical, duh. I just think the music tries to hard. It’s not that difficult to understand.

−8

catsandpomegranates t1_j1ry7wc wrote

This movie is based on the actual musical. If musicals aren’t your thing, then I get it, but I think it’s what makes Matilda special.

8

SamuraiSanta t1_j1s21gn wrote

I know it is. And I have nothing against musicals in general. But this one tried too much.

2

TrueLegateDamar t1_j1qdism wrote

It felt like they were just singing random words than an actual song, and as a result I don't remember a single one.

The dance choreography was amazing and liked the performances, but as a musical it missed the mark

7

fruitporridge t1_j1lvfbu wrote

Watch the trailer of the kids dancing

Those kids are on crack

I loved the original version. It was a staple on tv every sunday afternoon

−19

Flyawaylittlemonkey t1_j1m7v6g wrote

If you mean the Mara Wilson version, it's not "the original".

This is a completely different movie based on a wildly successful musical theatre adaptation of the book with music by Tim Minchin.

It's not a remake of the first movie. It's completely a different thing. And it's very good!

36

HailToTheKingslayer t1_j1w5e17 wrote

The Mara Wilson/Danny DeVito one isn't 'the original'. Just a different version. The musical one is based off the stage musical.

5