Quartile rating: 7/10 · 1 rating
An extraordinary young girl discovers her superpower and summons the remarkable courage, against all odds, to help others change their stories, whilst also taking charge of her own destiny. Standing up for what's right, she's met with miraculous results.
Matilda the Musical is a faithful and energetic adaptation of the beloved stage show, with standout performances particularly from Alisha Weir as Matilda and Emma Thompson's gleefully villainous Miss Trunchbull. The acting is genuinely exceptional, bringing the larger-than-life characters to vivid life. Cinematography is competent and colorful but leans heavily on the theatrical staging aesthetic without pushing into truly cinematic territory. The plot follows the well-worn source material closely, offering little surprise for those familiar with the book or stage show. As a remake/adaptation of an already-adapted property, it scores low on novelty — the 1996 film and the stage musical have firmly established this territory. The ending is satisfying but predictable.