Netflix is new Matilda the musical went a little under the radar on the platform for the past week, competing with the massive release of Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery and the Witcher spin-off origin of the blood. But don’t miss it – the adaptation of the West End and Broadway hit is one of the funniest movie musicals of the year, with two standout song-and-dance numbers that rank among the best scenes from 2022 movies.
An adaptation of the Tony Award-winning stage musical, Matilda the musical brings back director Matthew Warchus, screenwriter Dennis Kelly and songwriter Tim Minchin from this production. And the talent behind the camera shows: the fantastic drama retains the impressive choreography and funny songs of the stage production, but adds effects and moments that are only possible in the cinema. Mathilde has a stunning production design, full of pops of color and the kind of flashy costumes you’d expect from a Matilda project, along with incredible child actors and some of the best choreography you’ll see in cinemas this year.
In early December, the stunning finale, Revolting Children, went viral easily online, and with good reason: it’s a great display of the film’s grandiose choreography and the skill of the young cast.
But I’m here to sing the praises of an earlier scene in the film that showcases the skillful songwriting and visual storytelling over and above the excellent choreography and performance: “School Song”.
The act begins with a bald statue of the Headmistress, Trunchbull, with the humorous, grumpy message, “No Snivelling,” before veering into a dramatic act that exposes Matilda and her new friend Lavender to the harshness of the school (and their overlord, who is helping out played) warns of prosthetics by Emma Thompson). If it were just Meesha Garbett’s stunning leading lady or the incredible hand choreography with the school gate, that would be enough for a memorable number. But things escalate to another level in the second half of the song when you realize that the words follow the alphabet. This is reinforced with a series of clever visual gags to emphasize each of the letters as they’re said in the song, making the number even more enjoyable on future viewing.
Matilda the musical is one of the best Netflix films, music films and children’s films this year. And if you found “School Song” half as funny as I did, you’re bound to have a blast.
