Variety
A delightfully twisted fairy tale that artfully juggles broad tomfoolery and sly drollery, along with a generous serving of sight gags enhanced by special effects.
Full review
Matilda (1996)
Danny DeVito’s 1996 family comedy based on the Roald Dahl children's fantasy book following a young girl (Mara Wilson) with a brilliant mind, the parents (De Vito and Rhea Pearlman) that constantly mistreat her, the lovely teacher (Embeth Davidtz) who recognises her gift, and the dreaded Miss Trunchbull (Pam Ferris) - the abusive headmistress who punishes her students by locking them in 'The Chokey'.
1996Rating: PG93 minsUSA
ComedyKids & FamilyFantasy
- Director:
- Danny DeVito ('Death to Smoochy', 'The War of the Roses', 'Throw Momma from the Train')
- Writer:
- Nicholas KazanRobin Swicord
- Cast:
- Mara WilsonDanny DeVitoRhea PerlmanEmbeth DavidtzPam FerrisPaul Reubens
Matilda (1996) | Reviews
90%21 reviewsRotten Tomatoes® Score
All reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Time Out
The real joy here is the view of generational war, the children's assumption of zero tolerance for injustices inflicted by absurd adults, and the recognition that the big meanies should be punished, by fair means or foul.
Full review
Roger Ebert
Whatever it was that hurt Dahl so deeply, he never forgave it, and his children's stories are driven by it. DeVito seems to vibrate on the same wavelength.
Full review