The story begins at Matilda’s birth. Her parents, Zinnia and Harry Wormwood, are not happy, and therefore, refuse to love and nurture her. At age 2, she develops independence.

A few years later, Matilda discovers her passion for reading. She visits her local library and borrows some books.

Her parents, however, disapprove of her reading and say that she should watch TV instead. But she continues to read.

Time passes, and Matilda is now 6 years old. Her parents continue to mistreat her and favor their son, Michael. 

She wants to go to school, which shocks her parents. Even her dad puts her down for it and insults her. He finds her reading her library books, rips them up, and forces her to watch a game show. That prompts her to magically destroy the television without making any movements.

Shortly after, Matilda starts school. She befriends a girl named Lavender. However, their greeting is interrupted when the wicked principal, Miss Trunchbull, comes outside the building. She harms other students with dangerous methods. One is throwing them–literally. And the other is threatening them to put them in the chokey, a closet that is similar to an iron maiden.

Matilda is in a class with a kind teacher, Miss Honey. She impresses her with her intelligence, especially since it’s beyond her years. Miss Honey even thinks that she could be put with older students in a higher grade. However, Miss Trunchbull won’t accept that.

Later, Miss Honey visits Matilda’s home and recommends to Zinnia and Harry that Matilda starts college early. Of course, they refuse to do so.

The next day, Miss Trunchbull discovers that a slice of her chocolate cake from the staff refrigerator is missing. She finds out that a boy, Bruce Bogtrotter, ate it. As his punishment, he is forced to eat the entire cake the slice came from. And in front of the whole school.

Miss Trunchbull continues to abuse the kids. She gives them all a 5-hour detention and even locks Matilda in the Chokey. Eventually, Miss Honey gets her out.

As the days go by, Matilda uses her magic powers, specifically telekinesis, without any movements. For example, after Lavender puts a newt inside Miss Trunchbull’s water, Matilda uses her wizardry to spill the water onto Miss Trunchbull. And the newt ends up on her, too.

Not long after, Matilda visits Miss Honey, who discusses her past. Her mother died and her father remarried a woman who was mean. Then he died, apparently from suicide. And poor Miss Honey was left in the care of her aunt, who abused her. That lady turns out to be no other than… Miss Trunchbull.

Shortly after, Miss Honey and Matilda sneak into Miss Trunchbull’s house to get Miss Honey’s old belongings. But Miss Trunchbull comes and can tell that someone entered her home. Matilda and Miss Honey escape without being noticed.

Matilda continues to use her telekinesis to help the others at school. But Miss Trunchbull continues to cause harm.

Can Matilda protect everyone with her magic? Or will Miss Trunchbull increase her power and mistreatment toward everybody?

This movie kept my attention all the way through. I admire the characters, especially Matilda. I am impressed with how she was so resilient, particularly since she was on her own because her parents refused to treat her well. I also admire how she matured so quickly.

An amazing aspect is Matilda’s relationship with Miss Honey. I thought it was so sweet since Miss Honey was so kind and practically loved her.

The amount of conflict was just right. It was also executed well. One scene that kept me worried was when Matilda hid from Miss Trunchbull while in her house.

Another element that stands out to me was how Matilda’s parents would demand that she watches TV instead of read. In my family, as well as possibly many others, it was the reverse. My parents didn’t like my brothers and I watching too much TV. My dad said that reading can make you smarter than watching television.

Although I found Zinnia and Harry forcing Matilda to watch TV interesting, I disliked how they treated her. They wouldn’t even believe her when she told the truth about certain things. One was when she said that she was six and a half. But her parents kept insisting that she was 4. Another moment is when her dad is illegally having deals with his car and Matilda warns him about the FBI catching him on surveillance cameras. Yet he will not believe her.

Despite its strengths, the film did have some big flaws. One is how Matilda’s main goal wasn’t clear. She had small goals such as going to school and overthrowing Miss Trunchbull. However, the lack of clarity of her main goal made the plot hard to follow.

Nevertheless, I really enjoyed Matilda. Even though it’s rated PG, there are a couple of profane words. But they are so minor that the movie is still appropriate for kids. 

It also has no violence. So, I think young children will be able to handle it. 

I give the film 4 out of 5 stars.