Matilda
(1996/Sony Blu-ray)
Picture: C
Sound: B- Extras: C- Film: B+
One of my favorite
authors of all time is Roald Dahl, so when it comes to films based on
his works I am very critical. In 1996, TriStar Pictures released
Matilda (based on the novel by the same name) starring Mara
Wilson as Matilda and Danny DeVito (Harry Wormwood) with Rhea
Pearlman (Zinnia Wormwood) as her horribly, atrocious parents.
The story of Matilda
follows a young girl who from birth was emotionally and
physically neglected, left to her own devices to develop into a young
woman with astonishing powers. Whereas other children may have sunk,
Matilda (Mara Wilson) swam; using a library and books as her
babysitter, absorbing every last drop of knowledge that she could.
After some convincing and a convenient excuse to pawn their child off
on the US school system, The Wormwoods enroll Matilda at Crunchem
Hall. Crunchem Hall is a rundown school with a notoriously angry and
beastly headmaster named Agatha Trunchbull (Pam Ferris). Matilda
could not be more elated to finally be in school, but after
befriending several children and learning of Miss Trunchbull's nasty
ways, fear sets in.
The Trunchbull takes
extreme pleasure in torturing children and keeping the teachers of
Crunchem Hall on their toes with daily inspections. Miss Honey
(Embeth Davidtz) is Matilda's good hearted teacher who subsequently
is revealed to be The Trunchbull's niece. During one of her
inspections the children of Miss Honey's class place a newt in her
drinking water; freaking out The Trunchbull and concurrently inciting
her rage. Whereas most live in fear of The Trunchbull, Matilda
(being the special girl she is) discovers and refines some
extraordinary powers. Never truly explained why, Matilda possesses
telekinetic powers that allow her to move objects with her mind; I
suppose she developed these powers by exercising her mind from a
young age, having to care for herself. As the film progresses we get
to see Matilda use her powers for good as she saves the other
children, defeats the Trunchbull, and manages to find her happy
ending (and Miss Honey's as well).
I can't say that the
film is spot on with the novel, as the novel feels a bit grittier
with a fantasy edge; like most of Dahl's novels. What I can say,
however, is the film was very well done with solid acting throughout
(DeVito and Pearlman at their best) while keeping a consistent tone
and pace. Pan Ferris as the Trunchbull steals the show and is
certainly the most memorable character. Mara Wilson is cute and does
a good enough job as she utilizes her I'm a little kid with a lisp
shtick; though she can be a bit annoying at times. We get guest
appearances from Tracey Walter and Paul Reuben as quirky FBI agents
who are consistently duping Mrs. Wormwood, posing as boat salesman as
they look into Mr. Wormwood's less than legal business practices.
The film is quite
fun and can be enjoyed by pretty much anyone. It never feels like a
nonsensical children's tale, though it is consistently family
friendly. The energy and life brought to this imaginative tale by
the likes of Ferris, DeVito, and Pearlman are refreshing and though I
would have preferred a slightly grittier tale, Matilda does a
fine job.
The picture is
presented as a 1080p, AVC Encoded, MPEG-4 2.40 X 1 image that is nice
enough as an improvement over the DVD, but falls flat as a Blu-ray.
The image is clean and clear with a fine layer of grain consistent
with filming technique; but overall the quality is not nearly as
sharp as it should be. The colors are also nice, but do not pop as
they should with a somewhat blah contrast. The sound is a 5.1
DTS HD-Master Audio track that is somewhat nicer than the picture
attempting to use all of the surrounds, but concurrently comes
heavily from the front. Panning effects are nice enough and the
musical scores do immerse the viewer.
Extras are weak with
little offer, seemingly ported over from the DVD with the exception
of one HD bonus feature, which is the nicest of the bunch. Extras
include:
My Movie about Making Matilda
Matilda's Movie Magic
A Children's Guide to Good
Manners
Escape to the Library
Afternoon Tea, a very Magical
Matilda Reunion
- Michael P. Dougherty II
