Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (Widescreen Edition) Reviews

• Charming...Charming

  
  By AW5JSQCHC2ZJO on 2008-02-07
  I would just like to say that it is rare in this day and age for a theater audience to stand and applaud at the end of a movie. That is exactly what happened when I saw Mr. Magorium.
  It is also rare for a movie to captivate, not only myself and my wife, but my 13 year old, 10 year old and especially my 4 year old all at the same time.
  It was a truly magical movie. Dustin Hoffman was brilliant and brought the charm of Mr. Magorium to life; a performance matched only perhaps by that of Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka.
  To those who suggest this is a child's movie. They are correct. It is for children...of all ages.
  
  

• Great for the young 'uns (and not so young 'uns!)

  
  By A35YWA2V4QHOJ3 on 2008-03-16
  This is a terrific family movie that is suitable for children of all ages. There are, to a degree, some parallels with Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory [HD DVD]. However, for the most part it is its own movie. It centers around a man (played by Dustin Hoffman) who wishes to leave the management / ownership of his magical toy store to his favorite employee (portrayed by Natalie Portman) as he can sense that his end is near. Unfortunately, Portman's character is apprehensive about taking over the toy store, mostly stemming from a lack of self-confidence.
  
  To be sure, many will say that this film is predictable, and so it is. However, the people who criticize it on such grounds are, I believe, missing the point. Granted, there are no real "hooks" in the plot or plot-twists that will keep you guessing. So what? In a movie like this, it really doesn't matter. At base, to me the film is not so much about the story itself as it is about how we all used to look upon the world with such a sense of wonder when we were children. People who are only looking for surprises are not prone to "getting it" insofar as this DVD is concerned.
  
  The casting is terrific with Hoffmann and Portman leading the way. Hoffmann gets his chance to play a sort of pseudo-Santa Clause, and it's evident that he enjoyed himself immensely. I've always like Portman, and it's nice to see a young woman who is both a fine actress as well as a great person. She is kind of the antipode to "bad girls" like Lindsay Lohan.
  
  If you are the parent of small children, I'd highly recommend this film. If you're not a parent of small children but enjoy feeling like a kid again, this one is recommended to an equal degree.
  
  

• Whimsy and Fantasy

  
  By A65R0Q7IPDSS8 on 2008-01-20
  [Mild spoilers in this review:]
  
  This is a unique movie. The plot is relatively simple - Toy Store Owner prepares his assistant to take over the business. There is no villain in the form of a character. I suppose the "villain," or conflict in the plot, is "lack of imagination." This is initially personified in the form of a dry, by-the-books accountant, however this character is by no means the villain in this story. "Lack of imagination" is the force opposing Mr. Magorium and his whimsical store.
  
  I suspect that mainstream America and the critics didn't respond favorably to this movie for two reasons: marketing this movie was difficult; and much of mainstream America and the critics are guilty of exhibiting the same element that served as the conflict in the movie: "lack of imagination."
  
  For example, in one scene, the witless accountant finally gives in to others' use of imagination and tries being imaginative himself by wearing silly hats and pretending to be someone else. He and a young boy act out fairy tale stories and let their imagination run wild. The boy's mother discovers them and is immediately suspicious of the accountant's intentions. It's as if the movie is commenting on some people that perhaps don't "get it." Additionally, as if life were imitating art, there were some people that didn't "get" this movie.
  
  My family (with two kids aged 6 and 3) thoroughly enjoyed this movie, and we could comfortably watch it without fear of "toilet gags" and without anxiety of seeing crude/vulgar moments. And this movie also effectively addressed the potentially disturbing subject of "death." I liked the approach here.
  
  Like the characters in the movie, give Mr. Magorium a chance. And let your imagination flow with the movie.
  
  Favorite line: "Light bulbs die. I am departing."
  
  

• A man with no more tricks left up his sleeve

  
  By A1A535W556ROBQ on 2008-01-28
  For young folk, this movie does seem to capture their imagination. My six year old sat enthralled through most of it given the emporium full of wonderful toys that Mr. Magorium had. Unfortunately, for adults this is a dull, plodding movie that will test your patience throughout. I expected much more from Hoffman and Portman, but they can only deliver on what has been handed them, and in this case it was more props than it was story, as Zach Helm made Mr. Magorium into a 243-year-old Mr. Gadget who no longer had any tricks up his sleeves and had decided to sign out. The reason, as Mr. Magorium explains, is that he has come to the end of his last pair of Tuscan leather shoes and there is nowhere else to find them. The film's fixation on death is a bit strange given that it seems aimed mostly at elementary age kids. Sadly, the main characters are all such loners that they have a very hard time letting Mr. Magorium go, so we get endless attempts to forestall the event and a store that goes into a deep gray funk over the matter. What little humor there is in the movie is parsed out in little cubes of sugar, seeming forced and contrite. They could have at least found the toymaker extraordinaire an old shoe shop in New York that could fix his dilapidated shoes. Poor Molly seems to have the hardest time, staring at a block of wood Mr. Magorium gave her, unable to unlock its magic power until the end, when everything is restored to glowing technicolor as it should be. By then all one can say is, Whew, glad that's over!
  
  

• A wonderful celebration of imagination over conformity

  
  By A21B2TJBWCSK1R on 2008-03-03
  Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium champions classic toys and the stores that used to carry them before the proliferation of chain stores like Toys R Us and Wal-Mart made them virtually extinct. In this age of crass commercialism, this film celebrates idealism and imagination - things that our world so desperately needs.
  
  Dustin Hoffman portrays Magorium as an optimistic Willy Wonka-type who is a genius toy maker and has a pet zebra in his home. He runs a magical toy store complete with an enormous book that lists the store's entire inventory and going to the appropriate page magically produces said toy. Each character has their own dilemma to resolve: Eric has to make a friend; Henry has to learn how to have fun, and Molly's desire to create music instead of running the Emporium. The cast is uniformly excellent, from Natalie Portman's engaging turn as Molly to Jason Bateman as the button-down accountant.
  
  There is an absolutely charming scene where Henry and Eric communicate on opposite sides of a pane of glass via handwritten messages to the Cat Stevens' song, "Don't Be Shy" that demonstrates director Zach Helm's skill a visual storyteller. It was at this moment that I wondered if he is a fan of Hal Ashby's films as this song was used prominently in Harold and Maude. This hunch was confirmed with Ashby's surname popping up in a scene as a store name. It is these little touches, like the nervous slinky or the gigantic dodge ball that fills an entire room or Magorium's hospital room at night decorated with many glow-in-the-dark stars, that make this film such a joy to watch.
  
  He adopts a vibrant colour scheme with the larger shocks of colour being primary in nature and then the smaller details (toys and clothes) comprised of secondary and tertiary colours. For example, the hospital that Magorium stays in is dominated by golden yellows while warm, brown wood dominates the Emporium. The entire film is like a giant box of Crayola crayons exploded all over it.
  
  Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium is not at all what I expected it to be (to be honest, I had little to no expectations) and was pleasantly surprised by how charming and imaginative this film turned out to be. It makes a convincing argument for keeping magic and wonderment alive. So often we grow up and either lose or ignore these feelings. There's more to life than dollars and sense. Mr. Magorium is a wonderful film that appeals to your heart without being so obviously manipulative and celebrates imagination over conformity. It also appeals to children with condescending to them and to adults who haven't forgotten what it's like to be a kid.
  
  "Strangely Weird and Weirdly Strange: The Magical World of a Wonder Emporium" is comprised of four featurettes that take brief looks at various aspects of the film. The first one features cast and crew praising director Zach Helm. Another takes a look at how the Sock Monkey puppet works. We also see how the production dealt with an actual zebra on the set. Finally, we see how the life-sized sculpture of President Abraham Lincoln was made entirely out of Lincoln Logs.
  
  "An Eccentric Boss and An Awkward Apprentice" takes a look at the characters of Mr. Magorium and Molly Mahoney. Not surprisingly, the actors were drawn to the project because of the well-written script. Cast and crew speak highly of Hoffman and Portman. The two actors describe their characters.
  
  "To Meet Eric Applebaum, Start by Saying Hi" takes a look at Eric and the actor who plays him, Zach Mills. Like the previous featurette, the character is described and the actor is praised. He was picked out of 1,200 other kids.
  
  "The Magical Toy Store" examines the fantastic set that was the toy store. Helm and the production designer worked together to create a big playground for kids. They wanted to create the impression that the store really existed. There's also footage of this set being constructed.
  
  Finally, there is "Fun on the Set," a montage of the cast and crew goofing around on and off the set.
  
  
• Lacks Wonder and Magic
  By A3M2WW0PO34B94 on 2008-01-24
  "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium", the new film directed by Zach Helm (who wrote "Stranger Than Fiction"), starring Dustin Hoffman, Natalie Portman and Justin Batemen, wants to be the next "Willy Wonka" but it has too little conflict, too little narrative and, most importantly, too little magic to make it the next Family classic.
  
  Mr. Magorium (Dustin Hoffman sporting a haircut that looks like he was just riding a motorcycle and gelled into place and a strange lisp which is meant to make him seem childlike) is the owner of a strange and wonderful toy store in the middle of Manhattan. As soon as he opens the store everyday, the toys come to life and children stop by to play with the creatures all day every day. His store manager, Molly Mahoney (Natalie Portman) was once a promising concert pianist, but can not find the last notes to complete her first concerto. All day, every day, her fingers play the notes on an imaginary keyboard until she comes to the end and can no longer play the remainder. One day, Mr. Magorium announces he is leaving, and will leave the store to Molly. Because of this, he hires an accountant, Weston (Justin Bateman) to come in and figure out what the store is worth and to set the accounts in order. The narrator of the film, a young boy named Eric (Zach Mills) hangs around all day and observes everything, narrating the film much like a picture book, complete with chapters. And he has a hat collection, which provide an endless supply of unusual chapeaus for his head.
  
  "Mr. Magorium" tells a fairly simple story with relatively few characters. Each of these characters is awkward and uncomfortable with their place in the world, but Magorium is the only one who seems to embrace it. Hoffman's Magorium is a strange fellow who has a machine that dresses him in the morning, a zebra in his apartment, and a strange, wonderful store. He walks around with a wide-eyed innocence, despite claiming to be over one hundred years old. Hoffman certainly seems to be having fun playing the eccentric, but the performance just doesn't go far enough. There is little depth to the character. He owns this strange and wonderful shop and wants to leave it to Molly after he leaves, in a way, to help her. That's it. Despite some scenes of Magorium playing with the kids in his shop, there are no other layers to his character. Everything else is mentioned in passing; he s over 100 years old, the reason he is leaving, etc. Just hearing these wild statements isn't really enough to make him strange and wonderful.
  
  Also, because the film is rated `G', there is no possibility of making him even the slightest bit dark. In "Willy Wonka" and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", both Gene Wilder and Johnny Depp made it clear, in subtle and unsubtle ways, Wonka doesn't really like kids. He then puts the bad kids through their paces, trying to find out who should take over his empire. In just about any great Family film, there is some sort of darkness, some sort of menace. In "Magorium", the only darkness comes when the store seems to miss Magorium's presence. Because he isn't around, everything turns black and gray, waiting for someone to reawaken the spirit and flavor of the magic it once knew.
  
  But this isn't enough to provide anything but a mildly pleasant diversion.
  
  Molly appears to be that person, the person who will take over the shop. Magorium's trusted manager, she knows many of the secrets and loves working there, meeting all of the (remarkably) well-behaved children. But when Magorium first mentions he will be leaving, and why, she is unsettled. What will happen to her career as a composer? What happened to the promise of her performances as a pianist? She still has hope, because she reflexively plays the piano with her hand all day. But taking over the store seems like it will definitely close the chapter on one part of her life.
  
  Natalie Portman is a good choice for this role because she has a wide-eyed innocence about her that lending itself well to the character. But she is just kind of bland. She loves working for Magorium and loves the store. There is a slight amount of conflict when the accountant (Bateman) shows up. See, he doesn't believe in the store and this irks her to no end. But because the film is rated `G', there isn't even any possibility of a romantic relationship between them.
  
  Strangely, Eric and Weston become friends. Eric is a strange, lonely kid who finds solace at Magorium's store. He has no friends, and his mother worries about him, but he enjoys lending a hand. So what if he sees some kids playing with Lincoln Logs and the urge strikes him to build a lifelike statue of Lincoln using the Logs. Every day he comes to the store, he is wearing a different hat and he seems to enjoy the eccentricity. He believes wholeheartedly in the magic of Magorium's Wonder Emporium.
  
  Weston, played by Justin Bateman, is an accountant and doesn't believe in the store. He is there to set the records in order and he has a lot of work to do. Because he doesn't believe, Molly can barely tolerate him. Because he doesn't believe, Eric feels the need to help him realize the magic. Gradually, they become friends and talk and Weston asks about the hat collection. Eric offers to take him home and show him the collection and Weston is simply amazed; every wall of his room is covered in hats. They begin to play pirates and Eric's mother comes home to find them jumping around on the bed. Hmmmmmmm.
  
  Naturally, Molly will realize two things. She will realize how to bring Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium back to life and she will realize how to complete her concerto. Will they be related?
  
  But before this happens, we have to sit through a veeeeerrrrrryyyyyy slow second act in which she decides to sell the store and entertains offers from other people, because her first inclination is to get rid of the store. Naturally, after working with Magorium for years, learning all about his store, his passions, his life, her first inclination is to sell the store. I'm being sarcastic. This moment seems completely false. All it shows is that Molly has learned nothing from Magorium.
  
  And perhaps we haven't either.
  
  
  
  
  
• WORST BLU RAY EVER
  By A283GFXPFXPG2C on 2008-03-09
  It's not the movie that's horrible (it's great) but $30 for a blu-ray with ZERO special features? Save you money and get the much more engrossing widescreen dvd release. How do they expect people to pay top dollar for blu-ray and not include any special features whatsoever? It's robbery.
  
  
• Not since "ET" and "Toy Story I"
  By A3AVJCB1ZD6ZY5 on 2007-11-25
  I love first run movies. No home theatre system can replace the smell of popcorn, the wall of video and sound of a real theatre--but with the rising cost, I see them on matinee and I rarely ever see a film twice in the theatre.
  
  If my companion had agreed to turn around and see "Mr. Magorium" again, I would have done so. I do plan on taking some friends to see this film--a retread for me but it'll be a treat to see their reactions as the plot unfolds.
  
  "Mr. Magorium's Magic Emporium" is a 100 year old magical toy store that's about to see some changes. You see, Mr. Magorium (Dustin Hoffman), the 243 year old proprieter has just run out of his last pair of shoes that he'd selected to 'last the rest of his life' and he's going to move on. (Note--he didn't say 'die' batteries do that)
  
  Eric Applebaum (Zach Mills) is a young boy who collects hats, but only made one friend at summer camp. "Jeff" turned out to be a squirrel. He's the narrator of this story and a frequent visitor to Mr. Magorium's.
  
  Molly Maloney (Natalie Portman) is the manager of the emporium and the Magorium's unsuspecting heir. Mahoney is just marking time at Magorium's--she was a musical prodigy, but at 23 feels washed up because she can't get her music quite right. She's surprised when the boss calls in an accountant--they've never had one. Magorium keeps it secret from her that he's doing this to value his bequest to Mahoney.
  
  That's where Henry Weston comes in. He's a "Just" man as Mahoney puts it. It's "just a"--toy store, car, etc. No magic in him.
  
  When Magorium does move on, it's up to the three of them to ressucitate a place that's lost all the color in it. It takes a wooden cube and a whole lot of belief to make that happen.
  
  I'll certainly buy this DVD when it becomes available and see it periodically, because it is a geniune 'feel good' movie without drowning you in excess sucrosity. The animation was delightful and I was especially moved to see Kermit the Frog make a cameo appearance as a Magorium customer.
  
  
• Charming...Charming
  By AW5JSQCHC2ZJO on 2008-02-07
  I would just like to say that it is rare in this day and age for a theater audience to stand and applaud at the end of a movie. That is exactly what happened when I saw Mr. Magorium.
  It is also rare for a movie to captivate, not only myself and my wife, but my 13 year old, 10 year old and especially my 4 year old all at the same time.
  It was a truly magical movie. Dustin Hoffman was brilliant and brought the charm of Mr. Magorium to life; a performance matched only perhaps by that of Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka.
  To those who suggest this is a child's movie. They are correct. It is for children...of all ages.
  
  
• More magic and fewer tears preferred
  By A1YCQWZ8VHEZ3I on 2008-02-24
  If I had to assign one word to this movie, it would be "heavy."
  
  I watched this movie with my 6 year old daughter. She was bored (though a good sport), and I expected a lot more magic and a greater feeling of wonder, particularly when in the toy store. I hadn't anticipated that death would be a constant vein throughout the movie. Also adding to the sense of sadness and loneliness was the element of misfits who find a friendship with each other that was unsettling itself in some ways. Finally, the most lighthearted moments (that is, the funniest parts of the movie) occurred when the store was throwing a temper tantrum (a bit of a mixed message for kids I think).
  
  My daughter and I both were sad enough to tear up several times during the movie. (I'm certainly not opposed to children's movies that include death, for example, "Where the Red Fern Grows," "Old Yeller," and "Charlotte's Web" are all movies I watched in grade school and will have no qualms about showing my daughter.) Given though that we set out to watch a fun, magical show (based on the previews), I was disappointed when instead we left the movie feeling "bummed."
  
  This movie may very well be a tool for opening communication with a child on death and the feelings of sadness, anger, fear, and then hope that are often associated with loss, but I do not recommend it if you are looking for a feel good or whimsical movie as I was.
  
  
• "Life is an occassion - Rise to it!"
  By A1OFXBB34ZFVWU on 2008-03-24
  A breath of fresh air of a family movie. Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium is simple in its storytelling about believing in your self, finding the magic in your life. It is an enchanting movie; entertaining without the typical hper-action, potty/burping humor or street-smart smack talk so overdone in every other "family" movie these days.
  
  Charming. Brilliantly understated acting; not over the top in any way, no sterotypical characterizations. Dustin Hoffman, Natalie Portman, Jason Bateman and child actor Zach Mills played true to their characters, filled with wonder, believable. I can only imagine that the movie's negative reviews are based on reviewers having preconcieved ideas of what they "thought" the movie would be like. This is a simple Willy Wonka-esque story, 90 minutes of enchanting entertainment without hype or preachiness. Slow down and enjoy it!
  
  
• Amazing movie!
  By A2CXHP2XICCOBW on 2008-03-07
  Anyone familiar with Eastern philosophy will appreciate this movie and it's message. While my children enjoyed the magical wonders of the movie, I loved the message of it. The characters are believable and kind, and each one grows and learns that you create your own reality. What a colorful and fun way to teach children that life is not always easy but it is what you make it. Believe in yourself.
  
  
• Impressively Impressive
  By AQZKKNNG6GWKV on 2008-03-10
  I have seven very young siblings, and so am used to sitting through terrible, TERRIBLE movies aimed at younger children.
  
  This one, however, impressed me. Dustin Hoffman was brilliant as Magorium, while staying away from a Wonka impression. Jason Bateman's performance has made me a fan, and Natalie Portman shows that *gasp* she can act.
  
  Zach Mills, however, really jumped out at me as Eric. Unlike many performances by children these days, his was convincing and hearfelt.
  
  The music also adds a very nice touch.
  
  Overall, for a kids movie, it is excellent. I would actually give it four and a half stars, but it won't let me.
  
  
• My experience shows that kids love it and adults are less enthused
  By AUHG8KSHI529U on 2008-03-15
  OK, I didn't quite know what to make of this movie. It has its charms. Unlike some folks, I didn't mind Dustin Hoffman's choice of hair and lisp for Mr. Magorium. The man is supposed to be more than two hundred years old, magical, and imbued with a childlike wonder of life. Yet, the story really isn't about him. The story is about Molly Mahoney, played by Natalie Portman (one of the actors I always enjoy). She was a child prodigy on the piano who, the story says, played the Rachmaninoff Second Piano Concerto. Yeah, right. No one who could actually play that concerto as a child would ever find there way behind the counter of a toy store. The sad history of prodigies does indicate a poor chance for her to progress into permanent pianistic stardom, but she would likely stay in music or head into some other intellectual profession. Oh, and the kind of music the movie has her "composing" and playing is just absurd. Portman's hands look as if they have had lessons and played the piano, but they are not hands strong enough or experienced enough for a big concerto. As the Master Thespian used to declare, "Acting!"
  
  Magorium hires an accountant, a counting-mutant, to help him figure out what the store is worth since he has never even seen a receipt. The hiring of Henry Weston (played by Jason Bateman - whom I also always enjoy) is one of the more delightful scenes in the movie. Of course the store is in a state beyond disarray. Magorium isn't big on explaining why he wants the Mutant (as he is affectionately called). The other delightful character in the movie is Eric Applebaum (delightfully done by Zach Mills). Eric is a lonely boy with amazing creativity, a superb collection of hats, and zero friends. Given his personality that seems as impossible as Molly's playing Rachmaninoff.
  
  The store Magorium runs is indeed magical, and we are given abundant evidence of it. However, it understands Magorium's secret, as do some of the toys, and none are happy about it. Magorium intends to give the store to Molly, who doesn't want it because she wants Magorium to stay. He can't or won't. The store turns entirely black after he goes and Molly intends to sell it. But Eric and the Mutant want her to keep it. The climax of the story, which is about the power of being aware of the magic that is your life and the power of believing in yourself, is whether or not Molly can bring the store to its former glory or whether she lets it slip away. Take a big guess.
  
  So, some of the things in the story didn't work for me. I didn't like that no one has an actual complete family. Magorium's history is largely never discussed nor is how he lived to be a couple of hundred years old. We do learn about his delight in the kind of shoes wears. Molly is alone except for the store (no boyfriend, fiancé, mother, or father), Eric has a Mom but only because he is nine. She doesn't do much except fret. The Mutant is as alone and as detached Molly. And the issue surrounding Magorium's decision actually makes no sense and has nothing of the weight such events have in real life.
  
  Yet, my opinion of the movie changed when my five year old granddaughter watched it. She was delighted and mesmerized and demanded to see it again immediately. And she has watched it twice more since. So, there is obviously something about the movie that is compelling to a small child that escapes me as an adult, deeply into the realities of life. Hmmmm... take that for what you will and I added a star because of my grandchild's enthusiasm. It is not a bad movie. The special effects are a bit much. However, it is successful for the kids. Go with them, I guess.
  
  Reviewed by Craig Matteson, Ann Arbor, MI
  
  
  
• The Parable of the toy store
  By A2NC9G399V3UF0 on 2008-02-29
  Mr Magorium's Wonder Emporium: Truly Wonderous!
  It is a rare film that holds your attention hours after you see the credits roll. Mr Magorium is that, and more. It is, at its' core, a modern day parable that speaks to the power and magic of faith.
  On the surface, Mr Magorium's Wonder Emporioum is a toy store for the ages. The children come into play in brightly lit corners stacked high with toys, games, books, and models. Rockets fly around the ceiling. A magical ball room transforms itself into an upstairs suite with the twist of a knob. The life of the store is reflected in the joy of the children and parents who enter the doors.
  Mr Edward Magorium is dying. 243 years old, and his shoes are finally wearing out. As he explains to his assistant, Molly Mahoney, his last pair of shoes is wearing out and he knows that when they do, he will die. To prepare for the event, he hires an accountant, Henry Weston, to evaluate the value of the store and the contents. Magorium, names him Mutant, and throughout the whole film, Henry discovers the oddities that define a 200 year old man. $300,000 for a door knob (I've never paid more than $250,000). An IOU from the Thomas Edison. Century old toys. And a book keeping system that defies logic and belief. It's almost too much for a trained Mutant to bear!
  
  Like a living being, the toy store ebbs and moves. Cracks appear on the walls. The life within the toys wanes and the atmosphere is less magical. A young assistant, Eric Applebaum,
  On the passing of Mr Magorium, the store 'dies' as well. But not before he presents a gift to Molly of a large block presumably possessing magical powers. Unable to sustain the life of the store and business flow, Molly closes and prepares to sell much to the disappointment of Eric Applebaum, the young hat collector who works at the store.
  
  When all is darkest, and Molly's dream of finishing her grand masterpiece, she discovers the missing piece to the puzzle. When all is dark, and she is about to sign the store over, she discovers the magic behind the emporium.
  
  "Move" "Move" "Fly...." is all that is required when her journey to joy takes flight as her faith is renewed and the toy store explodes! In one broad stroke, he symphony is complete, and the deadened toy store comes to life once more.
  
  I said before this is a modern day parable, and I believe it is. Beneath the toys lies the truth of the mustard seed. "If I have faith as a mustard seed, I could say to the mountain, move, and it shall MOVE!" And it does.
  
  There are other themes too. Joy in the journey. Youth. Living life to its' fullest. Passing on of our faith. Mourning.
  
  Dustin Hoffman and Natalie Portman are wonderfully cast in this film. The `mutant', Justin Bateman, plays a perfect straight man.
  
  This is a true family film that is not fluff. Talk about it. Watch it together. Share it. That's what the `parable of the toy store' is all about.
  
  Tim Lasiuta
  
  
  
• Interesting, But Surprisingly Depressing
  By A3SULW2PRZQ11M on 2008-03-11
  This is not the happy movie I thought it would be. It has some interesting special effects and excellent actors, but parents should be prepared to explain to their young children why Mr. Magorium had to die. Yes, death is a part of life, but thinking about it all the time is no way to live. I had been to a funeral a few hours before I watched this movie. I was expecting this movie to be more uplifting, but I walked away a bit unsettled.
  
  
• Magorium celbrates imagination, innocence
  By AXV9GS0TMSVW on 2008-03-04
  "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium" is a great and albeit odd family film. It's odd in the sense that many alleged family films of late have been sprinkled with hints of vulgarity and innuendo. So "Magorium" is great in the sense that there's none of that here. This is an innocent family film that is fun and entertaining, even if its story seems on the sophmoric side. The film's spirit makes up for it by leaps and bounds.
  
  The story centers on Mahoney, played by Natalie Portman, who manages the store, but is an aspiring piano player who sees herself leaving the store soon. She is friends with Eric, a boy who comes to the store but has no friends his own age. Magorium, played with cartoon like precision by Dustin Hoffman, is looking to leave the store to Mahoney. In the meantime, the store seems to be losing some of it's magic.
  
  Part of the charm of this film is that it is pure fun. The actors (especially Hoffman) look like they're having a good time and the pure magic of the toy store celebrates children and their imagination. Coming from a child development background, I especially grinned at one of the lines where Mahoney remarks to a child that they don't have to stay in the lines when they color. The effects and look of the store are neat. While there are neat visual effects, a lot of the store's charm comes from creative use of sets and puppetry and, oh, a couple live animals here and there.
  
  The film falters a bit in the story department. It's an okay story. Like many children's features though, it's short. The conclusion seems rather rushed by the end of the film's 90 minute running time and I felt something was missing from the script. Some of the film's humor is spot on, while some of it rests on tired puns. When that happens, we are at ease because of the performers' ability to deliver.
  
  Overall, this is a fun family film. It's a real shame that it did not do well in theatres as the film captures innocence and imagination better than a lot of recent family films. Parents can rest assured that this film lives up to its G rating. The film is cute and non threatening, and while the story may not break any ground in family entertainment, this is still a film that families can sit down and enjoy without worry.
  
  
• Great for All Ages
  By A2P4ZRTRLUEV8L on 2008-03-06
  I watched this movie the other day and loved it. Even though at times this movie can be sad, it is a great charming movie. This is one of those movies that you don't mind watching again and again. Seeing this movie reminded me of childhood (playing with slinkys, collecting stuffed toys), and all the fun classic toys and games. It's amazing that one of the most beloved characters in this movie isn't even human. This movie is incredably cute, and a great family film for all ages from 1 to 100.
  
  
• "MR MAGORIUMS WONDER EMPORIUM" MOVIE REVIEW
  By A1FGOU69XQIU9V on 2008-03-11
  A movie treat for all ages. Dustin Hoffman is quirkly and good natured and does a wonderful job of playing an eccentric toy shop owner with a real good heart. Natalie Portman shines in this movie as his open eyed innocent helper. Every character is likeable and loveable something we don't often see. The genre is a kids movie, but every now and then we all need to remember the innocence inside. This movie does a great job of that. Enjoy.
  
  
• Magical!
  By A38RL0DNR1CN1C on 2008-03-24
  This movie was one of the greatest "kid's" movies I've seen in some time. It was filled with imagination, and lots of cute, funny moments. The characters were very likeable and most important of all, there wasn't a hint of any bad language or phrases geared only towards parents that are in every animated movie these days. That is a huge pet peeve so that was very refreshing. A friend and I took our kids and we both said simulateously after it ended- "I'm buying that one!".
  
  
• Great Family Movie
  By A1NN8Q1DLAYPGH on 2008-03-24
  This is one of those wonderful "feel good" movies that makes a family sigh and feel the warmth and love. It is well written and entertains all ages!
  
  
• Great Movie With a Great Meaning..
  By A4QHLKG4FV1L6 on 2008-04-10
  I wholeheartedly agree with previous reviewers about finally finding a movie without the potty humor, or the adult inuendos. I absolutely hate that. I do NOT have to be entertained on "my" so called level in a kid's movie. How very selfish of adults to expect it.
  I loved the message in Mr. Magorium's, teaching kid's to believe in themselves, to see the wonder in the world, to never stop seeing the magic.
  And to all those reviewers who give this movie one star because there are no bells and whistles. You need to watch it again. Pay close attention to the part where Mahone says "you're a "JUST GUY". This is just a movie, just an actor, just a set. JUST THE SAME OLD THING>.. Maybe you have to look for the magic or believe in it by the story. Not have Hollywood feed it to you.
  I bought Enchanted at the same time as this one and I like this one much better.
  
  
• It Tries to be Wonderful, but It Turns Out to be Just a Movie
  By A2I6MHMAZZDCRX on 2008-03-05
  Mr. Magorium (Dustin Hoffman) is well over 200 years old. He owns a magical toy store in New York City. And when I say magical, I do mean magical. The toys come alive and play with the kids. There is even a door of rooms controlled by a dial to find the room you want.
  
  Molly Mahoney (Natalie Portman) is the store manager, a former piano virtuoso ready to get back to her music career. Mr. Magorium doesn't pay any attention to her, however, but brings in a mutant. Okays, so it's really an accountant, but he figures the word derived from mutant at some point. Henry Weston (Jason Bateman) is hired to find out just how much the store is worth. See, Mr. Magorium has not kept records at all. Fortunately, he has saved every receipt along the way.
  
  Yet it's Eric Applebaum (Zach Mills), a nine year old hat collector with no friends, who first notices the problem. A wall of the store is turning dark and bubbling. Could Mr. Magorium's decision to leave be causing the problem? Will the store react poorly if he follows through?
  
  This movie was marketed as a fun comedy fantasy. From those ads, I was really looking forward to seeing it. Unfortunately, the movie is much more serious then I was led to believe it would be. While the theme of believing in yourself is wonderful, the melancholy tone made parts of it sadder then I was looking for.
  
  Despite the disappointment in tone, there is much to praise. There were several funny sight gags and great lines. Most of these were in the previews, however. This accountant got a huge kick out of the characters continually calling Henry "Mutant." And don't miss Kermit the Frog's wonderful cameo. This movie wasn't the special effects extravaganza I was expecting, but what was there was great. And the acting was top notch. All four of the leads made their characters absolutely believable. Special praise has to go to Dustin Hoffman as Mr. Magorium. He made the movie work.
  
  I think if I had walked into this film knowing what to expect, I would have enjoyed it. But since the movie wasn't what I wanted, I couldn't help but feel disappointed. I'd give the movie 3.5 stars if I could. It's a decent film as long as you are expecting a darker kid's film.
  
  
• This movies sucks. Buy a happy meal for your kids instead.
  By A1AJVR6E82JV7W on 2008-04-07
  This movie should be avoided for 3 reasons. (1) The movie focuses on the upcoming death of Mr. Magorium. Unless you enjoy discussing death with young children you will be unhappy with this topic. (2) Most of the movie is talking, talking and more talking. There are few...make nearly zero...special effects that are entertaining to children. One special effect is Mr. Magorium dancing on bubble wrap that has been placed on the sidewalk. (Likely the movie producers were on a budget.)(3) The story-line is weak. Merely, Mr. Magorium is dying and he picks his employee of 15 years to succeed him. There is no moral and nothing for children to learn. For these 3 reason, forgetting the slick marketing of this movie and picking any number of tried and true children's movies is the better bet. This is no Willy Wonka movie.
  
  
• I loved this Movie!
  By A18FUHNBP90IB4 on 2008-05-30
  My whole family (boy 10, girl 7 and 2 35+ parents) watched this movie and we all got something out of it! I laughed and cryed and it opened up a discussion about the life and death. One of my favorite parts was when he had name tag 'My name is not Steve' - I laughed through out my conference the next week... I keep telling adults that they need to watch this movie - great life lessons! Great Movie - Enjoy!
  
  
• Grows on you
  By AOTMP0OKJOUWI on 2008-08-31
  This is not a movie for those who expect the world to be complex and sensible. With a title that rhymes like that, what would you expect beside the magical sweetness that just happens to be accepted by the world? I was quickly drawn in by this storybook world where the bizarre and quirky is just a way of life and no one thinks much more of it. Throw in a beautiful message of finding yourself, and I was pleasantly engrossed in this heartfelt tale.
  
  Mr. Magorium is a very old inventor (several centuries) who has not only helped a few famous souls out there but has managed to create a magical toy store. However, he feels it is time to pass from this world. It seems to be pretty much his decision and he seems perfectly fine with it, and I found that to be an interesting look at death.
  
  However, the store's manager Molly is a young woman who still hasn't quite figured out her place in the world. It's pretty shocking to her to learn that her beloved boss plans to die and leave her in charge when she has no idea who she is and only has a hat-collecting boy with no friends his own age and a workaholic accountant as her only companions.
  
  Mr. Magorium is positive she'll do fine, with a little encouragement, and thus pours out a sweet story about finding the best in yourself.
  
  It wasn't what I expected, and that's not a bad thing, especially when I realized the plot was deeper than a toy store romp.
  
  I don't think the characters other than Mr. Magorium were as realized as they could have been, but they were still a far cry from two-dimensional bimbos and it did leave room for some proper growth.
  
  Overall, I was pleasantly surprised at the story's charming simplicity and message. Nothing wildly exceptional, but it held its own in the way of family movies.
  
  
• Fabulous movie for kids!
  By A33V749BRBQXOW on 2008-09-08
  When this movie was in theatres I read the reviews and they were horrible...we decided to skip it.
  My daughter (5 years old) wanted to rent it the other day - and after watching it consistently over two weeks (we had late fees!), we'll be buying it. She absolutely loves it! Both my husband and I found it very charming. While adults who are looking for an intelligent adult movie may say disparaging things about it, if you view it through the eyes of a child, it is truly magical! It deals with life, death and self-worth/ esteem in a beautifully sensitive manner, easily understandable by young children.
  I think it's a great movie for kids under 13 or 14 :)
  
  
• Amazing that a film like this could be made today
  By A3E3QGTG1QYHAH on 2008-09-10
  The most magical thing about this film is that it was made. It is a movie that isn't about anything except the joys we all overlook. Yes there is death but that comes to us all, whether we are willing to admit it or not. But this had positive things to say about not only the end of stories but about how sometimes the begins are much more dificult than those ends. It was lovely and kind and pleasant in an innocent way that I haven't seen on the screen in a very very long time. There was no meanness or anger or sarcasm, just a joy in a pair of journeys, one ending and one begining. This film will move people who want to be moved, to find those parts of ourselves we as adults have worked so hard to lose.
  
  
• Let's Hear it for the Toys
  By A18G7GG53G2X8A on 2007-11-20
  What a charming movie "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium" is; here's a film that's delightful, fun, and touching without getting too sentimental. Not that the story is free from sentiment--many key moments tap into a number of emotions, many of which we thought we had abandoned long ago. Watching this film, my belief in the power of positive thinking was refreshed, and I'll thank you to not make fun of me for saying something so hokey. Much like the toy store owned by the eccentric yet loveable Edward Margorium, the film thrives on magic and whimsy, with a plot that instills a positive message without getting sappy. It was thoroughly delightful to watch something so upbeat.
  
  Some have dismissed this film as being a watered down rehash of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory." I do understand how that comparison can be made; both films include oddball lead characters and magical, kid-friendly environments. Nonetheless, "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium" stands on its own, having the power to entrance its audience with a meaningful story, humorous characters, and a wealth of creative special effects. Basically, it feels as bright and colorful as it looks, and we begin to feel joyous as soon as the opening credits begin to roll. Immediately after that, a voiceover narration introduces us to Bellini (Ted Ludzik), the bookmaker for Mr. Magorium's toyshop and his personal historian. From this, we learn that the film will be divided into chapters, each one covering the events that led to big changes.
  
  The most important character, obviously, is Mr. Magorium (Dustin Hoffman), a 243-year-old free spirit who operates a living toy store. Behind certain doors, rooms can change with the flick of a switch. An inventory book can produce a toy in the blink of an eye. Toys are able to operate on their own. Balls bounce by themselves. A mobile has living fresh-water fish hanging from strings. Stuffed animals reach out and beg to be hugged. The store's manager is Molly Mahoney (Natalie Portman), an incredibly insecure young woman desperate to find her purpose in life. A marvelous pianist, she's unable to escape the world of prewritten music; she wants to compose an original piece. But something is holding her back, something strong enough to leave her frustrated while sitting behind a keyboard. She knows there's more to herself, but she doesn't know what it is or how to free it. As happy as she is working for Mr. Magorium, she feels stuck.
  
  After running the shop for over one hundred years, Mr. Magorium decides that it's time to leave (and I won't get more specific than that). To sort out the financial details--of which he had never given any thought to--he hires an accountant named Henry Weston (Jason Bateman). He's immediately given the nickname Mutant, not only because Mr. Magorium believes it's the suffix to "accountant," but also because he's an uptight workaholic that doesn't believe in magic. From his point of view, nothing extraordinary happens in the store; it's a place where kids buy things, and nothing more. Mahoney says he sees everything in terms of the word "just"--it's "just" a toy store, and it "just" sells ordinary things. Doing paperwork and talking business is all he knows how to do, which is why he thinks nothing of pointing out suspicious financial activity to Mr. Magorium. Example: when Mutant addresses doing business with imaginary characters like the King of Planet Yahweh, Mr. Magorium says, "Oh, he's not imaginary. He was never a king, and Planet Yahweh doesn't exist, but he's real."
  
  Frequenting the store is nine-year-old Eric Applebaum (Zach Mills), who also serves as the film's narrator. I loved this character; he's articulate and witty, and in some ways, he's just as eccentric as Mr. Magorium. For one thing, he has an impressive hat collection, and he wears a different one every single day. He can also build a life-sized state of Abraham Lincolm out of Lincoln Logs. But as approachable as he seems, he has absolutely no friends, save for Mahoney and Mr. Magorium. They both pressure him to be more outgoing, but he holds himself back because everyone his age has labeled him as weird and unlikable. He finally begins to engage Mutant, who gradually relearns how to have some fun. There's a wonderful scene in which they have a conversation through a window; they communicate by writing messages on pieces of paper and holding them up.
  
  Mr. Magorium tells Mahoney that, upon his departure, she'll be the sole owner of the Wonder Emporium. Her self-confidence plummets--how can she operate a business without the man who started it? And what if she doesn't want to be the owner? What if she wants to pursue a career in music? The store itself also takes the news pretty badly, as seen when it's bright red walls turn gray and the toys go berserk. Much like an infant child, it throws a temper tantrum, forcing Mr. Magorium to temporarily close the store. Even for a man that owns a pet zebra and actually helped Thomas Edison invent the light bulb, this is simply too bizarre; everything must be smoothed out before he leaves, and in order for that to happen, he has to have the full cooperation of the store, of Mahoney, and of Mutant.
  
  There are many, many subtler nuances that make "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium" a truly enjoyable film, such as a machine that dresses people, a living dinosaur skeleton made of wood, and a cameo appearance by Kermit the Frog. But what I enjoyed the most was its emotional core; I actually felt happy when I left the theater, not only because I had watched a fun film, but also because it actually resonated with me on a deeper level. This is an enchanting story--I recommend it to everyone, young and old alike.
  
  
• Not Enough Magic or Wonder In This Emporium
  By A3M2WW0PO34B94 on 2007-11-26
  "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium", the new film directed by Zach Helm (who wrote "Stranger Than Fiction"), starring Dustin Hoffman, Natalie Portman and Justin Batemen, wants to be the next "Willy Wonka" but it has too little conflict, too little narrative and, most importantly, too little magic to make it the next Family classic.
  
  Mr. Magorium (Dustin Hoffman sporting a haircut that looks like he was just riding a motorcycle and gelled into place and a strange lisp which is meant to make him seem childlike) is the owner of a strange and wonderful toy store in the middle of Manhattan. As soon as he opens the store everyday, the toys come to life and children stop by to play with the creatures all day every day. His store manager, Molly Mahoney (Natalie Portman) was once a promising concert pianist, but can not find the last notes to complete her first concerto. All day, every day, her fingers play the notes on an imaginary keyboard until she comes to the end and can no longer play the remainder. One day, Mr. Magorium announces he is leaving, and will leave the store to Molly. Because of this, he hires an accountant, Weston (Justin Bateman) to come in and figure out what the store is worth and to set the accounts in order. The narrator of the film, a young boy named Eric (Zach Mills) hangs around all day and observes everything, narrating the film much like a picture book, complete with chapters. And he has a hat collection, which provide an endless supply of unusual chapeaus for his head.
  
  "Mr. Magorium" tells a fairly simple story with relatively few characters. Each of these characters is awkward and uncomfortable with their place in the world, but Magorium is the only one who seems to embrace it. Hoffman's Magorium is a strange fellow who has a machine that dresses him in the morning, a zebra in his apartment, and a strange, wonderful store. He walks around with a wide-eyed innocence, despite claiming to be over one hundred years old. Hoffman certainly seems to be having fun playing the eccentric, but the performance just doesn't go far enough. There is little depth to the character. He owns this strange and wonderful shop and wants to leave it to Molly after he leaves, in a way, to help her. That's it. Despite some scenes of Magorium playing with the kids in his shop, there are no other layers to his character. Everything else is mentioned in passing; he s over 100 years old, the reason he is leaving, etc. Just hearing these wild statements isn't really enough to make him strange and wonderful.
  
  Also, because the film is rated `G', there is no possibility of making him even the slightest bit dark. In "Willy Wonka" and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", both Gene Wilder and Johnny Depp made it clear, in subtle and unsubtle ways, Wonka doesn't really like kids. He then puts the bad kids through their paces, trying to find out who should take over his empire. In just about any great Family film, there is some sort of darkness, some sort of menace. In "Magorium", the only darkness comes when the store seems to miss Magorium's presence. Because he isn't around, everything turns black and gray, waiting for someone to reawaken the spirit and flavor of the magic it once knew.
  
  But this isn't enough to provide anything but a mildly pleasant diversion.
  
  Molly appears to be that person, the person who will take over the shop. Magorium's trusted manager, she knows many of the secrets and loves working there, meeting all of the (remarkably) well-behaved children. But when Magorium first mentions he will be leaving, and why, she is unsettled. What will happen to her career as a composer? What happened to the promise of her performances as a pianist? She still has hope, because she reflexively plays the piano with her hand all day. But taking over the store seems like it will definitely close the chapter on one part of her life.
  
  Natalie Portman is a good choice for this role because she has a wide-eyed innocence about her that lending itself well to the character. But she is just kind of bland. She loves working for Magorium and loves the store. There is a slight amount of conflict when the accountant (Bateman) shows up. See, he doesn't believe in the store and this irks her to no end. But because the film is rated `G', there isn't even any possibility of a romantic relationship between them.
  
  Strangely, Eric and Weston become friends. Eric is a strange, lonely kid who finds solace at Magorium's store. He has no friends, and his mother worries about him, but he enjoys lending a hand. So what if he sees some kids playing with Lincoln Logs and the urge strikes him to build a lifelike statue of Lincoln using the Logs. Every day he comes to the store, he is wearing a different hat and he seems to enjoy the eccentricity. He believes wholeheartedly in the magic of Magorium's Wonder Emporium.
  
  Weston, played by Justin Bateman, is an accountant and doesn't believe in the store. He is there to set the records in order and he has a lot of work to do. Because he doesn't believe, Molly can barely tolerate him. Because he doesn't believe, Eric feels the need to help him realize the magic. Gradually, they become friends and talk and Weston asks about the hat collection. Eric offers to take him home and show him the collection and Weston is simply amazed; every wall of his room is covered in hats. They begin to play pirates and Eric's mother comes home to find them jumping around on the bed. Hmmmmmmm.
  
  Naturally, Molly will realize two things. She will realize how to bring Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium back to life and she will realize how to complete her concerto. Will they be related?
  
  But before this happens, we have to sit through a veeeeerrrrrryyyyyy slow second act in which she decides to sell the store and entertains offers from other people, because her first inclination is to get rid of the store. Naturally, after working with Magorium for years, learning all about his store, his passions, his life, her first inclination is to sell the store. I'm being sarcastic. This moment seems completely false. All it shows is that Molly has learned nothing from Magorium.
  
  And perhaps we haven't either.
  
  
  
  
  

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