Barnes & Noble

Erstwhile Taxi tyrant turned filmmaker Danny DeVito is a good choice to bring Roald Dahl's book to the screen. They seem to be kindred spirits, with similar sensibilities for dark comedy built around those moments in life when horrible and unexplainable things happen. Matilda, for instance, has the bad luck to be born to the neglectful Wormwoods -- DeVito and real-life wife Rhea Perlman -- who discourage her love of books. Then, she is sent to a Dickensian school run by the monstrous Miss Trunchbill (Pam Ferris). But Matilda (the adorable Mara Wilson) turns tragedy to triumph with the help of the compassionate teacher Miss Honey (Embeth Davidtz) and her own special telekinetic gifts. Matilda is rated PG for "exaggerated meanness and ridicule." This includes harrowing scenes of the verbally abusive Trunchbull shot-putting children out the window. But this just makes Matilda's Carrie-esque revenge all the sweeter. What makes the DVD Special Edition such a delight are the kid-friendly bonus features: among them, Wilson's own video diary of life on a movie set, an amusing "Guide to Good Manners" comprising scenes from the film, and a welcome segment extolling the virtues of the public library. Behind-the-scenes segments reveal the secrets of stunts and special effects, but as DeVito advises, watch the movie first. Lemony Snickett has nothing on Dahl when it comes to plucky children triumphing over unfortunate events. Devotees of the Dahl canon will appreciate DeVito's fidelity to the author's macabre vision. Donald Liebenson

Barnes & Noble

Erstwhile Taxi tyrant turned filmmaker Danny DeVito is a good choice to bring Roald Dahl's book to the screen. They seem to be kindred spirits, with similar sensibilities for dark comedy built around those moments in life when horrible and unexplainable things happen. Matilda, for instance, has the bad luck to be born to the neglectful Wormwoods -- DeVito and real-life wife Rhea Perlman -- who discourage her love of books. Then, she is sent to a Dickensian school run by the monstrous Miss Trunchbill (Pam Ferris). But Matilda (the adorable Mara Wilson) turns tragedy to triumph with the help of the compassionate teacher Miss Honey (Embeth Davidtz) and her own special telekinetic gifts. Matilda is rated PG for "exaggerated meanness and ridicule." This includes harrowing scenes of the verbally abusive Trunchbull shot-putting children out the window. But this just makes Matilda's Carrie-esque revenge all the sweeter. What makes the DVD Special Edition such a delight are the kid-friendly bonus features: among them, Wilson's own video diary of life on a movie set, an amusing "Guide to Good Manners" comprising scenes from the film, and a welcome segment extolling the virtues of the public library. Behind-the-scenes segments reveal the secrets of stunts and special effects, but as DeVito advises, watch the movie first. Lemony Snickett has nothing on Dahl when it comes to plucky children triumphing over unfortunate events. Devotees of the Dahl canon will appreciate DeVito's fidelity to the author's macabre vision. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide

Based on the book Matilda, by British children's author Roald Dahl, this film moves the setting from the U.K. to the U.S.; otherwise it follows the original closely. Matilda Wormwood (Mara Wilson) is an extremely curious and intelligent little girl who is very different from her low-brow, mainstream parents (Danny DeVito and real-life wife Rhea Perlman), who quite cruelly ignore her. As she grows older, she begins to discover that she has telekinetic powers. Not until a teacher shows her kindness for the first time does she realize that she can use those powers to do something about her sufferings and help her friends as well. Villains from the awful Miss Trunchbull (Pam Ferris), headmistress of her miserable school Crunchem Hall, to her parents and older brother begin to feel her ire. Look for Paul Reubens (aka Pee Wee Herman) in a small part as an FBI agent investigating Matilda's shady father. Clarke Fountain

Product Details

• UPC: 043396013537
• Source: SONY PICTURES
• Region Code: 1
• Aspect Ratio: Pre-1954 Standard (1.33.1)
• Presentation: Pan & Scan
• Sound: Dolby Digital Surround, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
• Language: English, Français, Español
• Subtitles: English, Français, Español
• Time: 1:38:00
• Sales Rank: 2,115

This DVD is also available as part of a box set:

• Slumber Party Pack: Madeline/Matilda

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