Matilda the Musical’s showstopping songs make it a Netflix must-watch

Netflix’s new Matilda the Musical The platform went under the radar this week with the huge release of The Glass Onion Mystery: Knives Out And the Witcher spinoff Blood Origin. But don’t miss it — the adaptation of the West End and Broadway hit is one of the most fun movie musicals of the year, with two standout song-and-dance numbers that are among the best scenes of 2022 movies.

This adaptation is based on the Tony-winning musical. Matilda the Musical Director Matthew Warchus and Dennis Kelly (screenwriter) are back. Tim Minchin, songwriter, is also returning from the production. You can see the calibre of talent behind this camera: While the spectacular drama keeps the incredible choreography, fun songs and stage production’s great choreography intact, it adds effects and moments only possible in cinema. Matilda has evocative production design filled with pops of color, and the kind of ostentatious costuming you’d expect from a Matilda project, along with incredible child performers and some of the best choreography you’ll see at the movies this year.

Earlier in December, the showstopping finale, “Revolting Children,” went mildly viral online, and for good reason: It’s a great display of the movie’s terrific choreography and of the skill of the young performers.

But I’m here to sing the praises of an earlier scene in the movie, one that shows off the deft song-writing and visual storytelling beyond the excellent choreography and performances: “School Song.”

The number starts on a stark statue of school headmistress Trunchbull, with the humorously dour message “No Snivelling,” before launching into a dramatic number warning Matilda and her new friend Lavender of the harshness of the school (and its overlord, played with the help of prosthetics by Emma Thompson). It would have been enough to make this a great number if it weren’t for Meesha Garbett’s amazing performance as a lead bully and the hand choreography at the school gates. The second part of the song is where things get even more interesting. You realize that the lyrics are following the alphabet. That’s heightened with a series of clever visual gags to highlight each of the letters as they are said in the song, and makes the number even more enjoyable on future viewings.

Matilda the Musical is among the best Netflix movies, musical movies, and children’s movies this year. And if you found “School Song” half as fun as I did, you’re bound to have a great time.