Matilda’s Cake Scene Is Wildest Comparison To The 1996 Movie

The iconic cake scene in Matilda The Musical closely resembles the original movie but brings new life to the familiar favorite from 1996.

Matilda The Musical‘s portrayal of the iconic Matilda chocolate cake scene may be the most striking comparison between the two movies. Matilda, the original version, is still renowned as a childhood classic, depicting the bright young child with telekinetic powers as she takes on the school and her horrible headmistress. Matilda The Musical, while it follows the same story, has some major differences in the delivery of the storyline as well as the added drama that comes with grand musical numbers. These differences show the story in two separate tones, making them both strong in their own ways.

The movies, though based on the same story, have some key differences. For one, Matilda The Musical is based on the stage show that is based on the book, rather than directly adapting the book itself, so some of the characters from the original Matilda are missing. Matilda’s parents are not seen quite as much in the newer version, and she doesn’t have a brother in the newest version.

In addition, the musical leaves out some details about Ms. Trunchbull’s house belonging to Ms. Honey and focuses more on the school and headmistress position. The new version also gives viewers a much-needed peek at the school after Ms. Honey takes over, providing some sought-after details for original viewers.

Related: Matilda The Musical’s Miss Honey Is Weaker (But That’s A Good Thing)

Matilda’s Musical Cake Scene Proves The Original Version Was Wild

Despite some key differences, there is one iconic scene that appears in both the original and the new version of the film: Bruce Bogtrotter versus the massive chocolate cake. In the newer film, the scene takes on a lighter, more chaotic tone as Bruce is tortured with the cake. The children, their tables, and all the furniture revolves around Bruce as he conquers the confection. The scene ends with the gentle, weak Ms. Honey breaking and screaming out in joy at Bruce’s success. In the original film, Bruce is tempted first with a piece of cake that he enjoys before being tortured to eat the whole huge cake that Trunchbull had Cook make for him. This scene is complete with dramatic close-ups of Matilda and Lavendar, and the kids in the crowd whisper in fear for Bruce and the possibility of the cake being poisoned.

The musical highlights the complex emotions that viewers feel while watching the scene, as it is horrible to imagine taking on the cake, but the viewers’ inner child can’t help but crave a bite for themselves. The juxtaposition of whimsical and serious is clear from the beginning of the number with Bruce’s burp, as well as the disparity between the spinning dance moves and the lyrics in the song that question how Bruce will make it through. Matilda The Musical differs from the book but still highlights the childlike wonder of eating the whole cake in a way the original doesn’t since it is so silent, intense, and dramatic.

Why Both Matilda Cake Scenes Work (In Their Own Movies)

Both movies portray Bruce versus his chocolate cake perfectly in the contexts of their respective films. The original Matilda ends in a showdown between Matilda and Trunchbull to get Ms. Honey her house and the position of headmistress, and the tone of the whole film is pretty dark and serious. With the introduction of the new narrative of the Acrobat and the Escapologist as well as bright sets and songs as opposed to the dark halls in the original film, both films give off different moods. Additionally, Matilda The Musical is filled with 13 songs that are upbeat and more fantastical, while the original film is a pretty straight forward narrative with a dark tone. The original Matilda is definitely a classic, but Matilda The Musical manages to bring new life to the story, especially the chocolate cake scene.

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