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From:Jason Bateman , David Rendall , Steve Whitmire , Dustin Hoffman , Jonathan Potts , TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENT , 20th Century Fox ,
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User Rating: Amazon Sales Rank:#2544 |
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 Refreshing, magical, uplifting, 2008-08-25
What a refreshing movie for families, after so many ridiculous "family films" full of arguing and food fights. I don't have a lot to add that others haven't already said, but this movie was beautifully done and encourages children (and even those who aren't children) to find the magic in themselves. I was very happy with this film and highly recommend it. There is one scene that very small children may be a bit frightened by.
4 of 4 customers found the following review helpful:
 "Do You Believe in Magic?", 2008-08-25
Splitting kindergarteners into groups, I was given the privilege of assigning names for each group. I was surprised to learn that about two-thirds of them had recently seen `The Chronicles of Narnia - The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Widescreen Edition),' so I knew names like Aslan, Mr. Tumnus, and the beavers would mean something special to them. `Weren't you scared when the wolves showed up?' I asked. `No,' they said in unison if not with some amusement. The thought hadn't occurred to them, even if their teacher embarrassed teacher wouldn't admit he got a jolt every time the wily beasts made their appearance.
What does that have to do with `Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium'? Well, it has to do with audience appeal. For some this movie will be only for primary purposes, say pre-school to third grade. For me I was enchanted, but for some the digitalized special effects will seem ho-hum, and cynics will not even want to ride along.
For all his inviting charm, Dustin Hoffman plays Edward Magorium, a soft spoken Willy Wonka with a lisp. He's 243 years old, and his life is measured by the nifty pair of shoes he bought in Tuscany. When his last pair wears out, he's done. (Maybe I'm being too philosophical, but most of us--myself included--can hardly be trusted with that much time.)
He laudably puts the majority of his life span into his Emporium, a free-for-all place--that in my estimation--comes to life. A magic inventory book summons a wish list, duck-duck goose takes literal form, and a perpetual paper air plane flies around the store. These are just tasters, for the pacing of their unveiling is magical enough for me. (I don't want to give away the whole store--sorry!)
Just like in `Willy Wonka' Magorium is looking for a successor to his emporium. Mollie Mahoney (Natalie Portman) heads his staff, but while she believes in the magic, she pines to be a professional pianist and doesn't feel worthy to take his place. The toy store seems to agree as it starts to turn grey in its foundations as the turnover becomes imminent.
The story unfolds like a book, complete with chapters as their created by a book builder (Ted Ludzek). Balancing the skeptic/believer schism are an accountant and a kid. Young Eric (Zack Mills) imitates his hero by sporting a collection of hats; sober Henry Westin (Jason Bateman) can't seem to smile, let alone loosen up to play checkers. Edward Magorium isn't worried, for he's reassuring to Molly, and hiring Henry to assess the place was his idea.
Looking at the movie posters, I thought, `Well, it looks nice, but...How much can they do with a toy store?' The answer is they do enough with the toy store, but what they do to the story is even better. Predictable in places, I was still smitten by the interplay of budding romance and childhood whimsy. Given the simple, but effective soundtrack and Mills' narration, and you're given one sweet and solid movie. If you hold films like 'Elf [Blu-ray],' dear, then you're going to have a good time in 'Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium'.
A J.P.'s Pick 3*'s = Good
 Beautiful., 2008-08-02
This was such a good, bright, intriguing, magical movie. However I couldn't give it the full 5 stars for two reasons. First, it is terribly sad. I generally don't mind "bittersweet" movies, but this one just drug me too far down that even the joyful ending couldn't erase the sad feeling from earlier in the film. Mahoney's distress was just too real!
The second reason is the manner in which Magorium dies. I love that the movie somewhat "demystifies" death, reinforcing that a life well lived is not a cause for sadness but of celebration and honor. But the fact that they made his death so ordinarily human with the funeral and everyone lined up at his graveside dressed in black, really disappointed me. I was so hoping as they showed his feet on the night he "departed" that somehow they would just disappear as a fitting end to his magical life. Instead I was left with the terrible question, "What did he do to himself?" and "Who found his body?" etc. I am relatively certain that kids over a certain age are savvy enough to ask the same questions. And the way the movie portrays it, I don't think there are satisfactory answers.
This portrayal of death with the questions it raises take away from the main message of the movie that, "Your life is an occasion... rise to it," and that we do that by believing in ourselves and by faith in the seemingly impossible. "Wonder Emporium" is a beautifully crafted movie with only this one dark spot in my mind.
This is the kind of movie that seems like it must have been a well-loved book first with it's classic kid-lit characters... what a joy to find that there are people in Hollywood with the talent and imagination to create a story like this in present times! I look forward to more.
Wonderful, 2008-08-01
This movie is suitable for all ages. It really is entertaining and magical, and yet it seems to teach us sorta of a moral as well.
Wonderful performance by Dustin Hoffman.
Magical, 2008-07-18
Let me make this clear first. I didn't watch this film with any children, nor am I some sort of child in a mans body. I'm a lover of movies that seek to entertain, inspire and teach. Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium does all three and the supporting cast to Dustin Hoffman really make this movie work.
Dustin Hoffman plays the eccentric toy shop owner who's over 240 years old and a believer in magic. One day he tells his dependable shop manager, Mahoney played by Natalie Portman that he's "Leaving." Firstly he must hire an accountant who we come to know solely as Mutant played by Jason Bateman to sort out all his paperwork, all 240 years worth. This becomes a story of friendship, love, belief and living life to the full to achieve all you wanted to achieve.
There are times in this film when it becomes truly heart wrenching. Especially the scene where Magorium finally leaves, but you become accepting of this, as that's what the movie's all about. Moving on. A very entertaining film for the entire family to enjoy and is something I'd strongly recommend
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