Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium [Blu-ray]

This 2007 tale is aimed mostly at kids, but there is plenty for adults to see. Starring the veteran Dustin Hoffman as Mr. Magorium, owner of the fantastic toy store, Wonder Emporium, situated in downtown New York city, it also has Natalie Portman as Molly Mahoney, the store's manager and former piano prodigy. Supporting the story is the able Jason Bateman as Henry Weston, an accountant ("the mutant") hired to do an appraisal of the store's worth. Young Zach Mills plays Eric Applebaum, a lonely 9-year-old kid who frequents the store and has trouble making friends.The story isn't complex, and it has a several simple messages. Too often we have dreams as young children and teens that we end up giving up on under the guise of "being responsible." Taking care of your obligations is important! But so are faith and belief! Yes, the film is not realistic, but it's not meant to be. When we grow up, we have to become responsible, but we can take time to appreciate those bits of wonder that ask us to relax for a couple of hours. A few of the gags are silly, but if you liked "The Neverending Story" (the first one, not those sad excuses for sequels!), then I believe you will enjoy this movie.

Great movie

Dustin Hoffman plays Mr. Edward Magorium, the owner of the magical toy store rightfully named Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium. I'm not a huge fan of the movie because of the magic. It's not the witty lines, the family-friendliness or even the character I identify most with, Natalie Portman's Molly Mahoney. It's Mr. Magorium.Molly Mahoney (Natalie Portman) I identify most with Molly Mahoney because she also plays piano. The song she knew best as a child is still, today, the only song she can perform. She feels stuck - or unable to go further with her talent, skills, etc. in life. She believes more in others than herself. She has a very difficult time saying goodbye. I share all of this with Mahoney so that when Mr. Magorium is there for her, it feels like he's speaking to me too.Mr. Magorium (Dustin Hoffman) Mr. Magorium is 243 years old and preparing to "depart." He explains that a light bulb dies, but he...shall depart. A beautiful way to look at a sad situation. He plans to give the toy store to Mahoney upon his departure, but Mahoney simply can't take the responsibility because she doesn't believe in herself. Mr. Magorium spends a good amount of time encouraging Mahoney and Eric (a shy, hat-collecting boy who struggles making friends but helps out at the store). He tries to impart wisdom and encouragement to them both so they will believe in themselves and embrace the bravery he knows they need in life's journey. I cry when Mr. Magorium departs. My heart pours from my tear ducts and I can't help but feel sad. When Mr. Magorium is saying his farewell to Mahoney, he explains:"When King Lear dies in Act V, do you know what Shakespeare has written? He's written "He dies." That's all, nothing more. No fanfare, no metaphor, no brilliant final words. The culmination of the most influential work of dramatic literature is "He dies." It takes Shakespeare, a genius, to come up with "He dies." And yet every time I read those two words, I find myself overwhelmed with dysphoria. And I know it's only natural to be sad, but not because of the words "He dies." but because of the life we saw prior to the words.I've lived all five of my acts, Mahoney, and I am not asking you to be happy that I must go. I'm only asking that you turn the page, continue reading... and let the next story begin. And if anyone asks what became of me, you relate my life in all its wonder, and end it with a simple and modest 'He died.'" His final line to Mahoney is, "Your life is an occasion. Rise to it." By this point, I'm an emotional wreck. I've watched this movie a thousand times, and it was just recently I finally figured out why it is that I can't accept the departure of Mr. Magorium or any of my loved ones in real life. I can't imagine a world without my loved ones in it - the world is the magical place it is because they're here, now, with me. I can't make up for their absence and can't recreate the magic they've blessed the world with. The idea of them no longer living life with me is overwhelming and I'm not ready to accept it. I'm not sure if I ever will be, but I know I will always turn to this movie in difficult times to find a spark of encouragement, a light of hope and a few rays of sunshine to part my dark clouds."We must face tomorrow, whatever it may hold, with determination, joy and bravery."-Mr. Edward Magorium (Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium)

This movie has such amazing dialogue and heartfelt acting, you can't help but feel like a starry eyed kid again. This film is magical and delightful, yet hard hitting when it comes to moving on past life's obstacles. It's a film for adults and children, the comical and serious. Your heart yearns for the characters and you can't help but want the toys to live on forever. When my visual arts assignment called for us to sketch out a story board of a 30 second film scene, I chose Mr. Magorium's full departing monologue to Mahoney which resulted in covering a several minute scene through story board. My class had never seen the film except my professor who started crying when he saw my drawings. I offered to play the film scene on youtube for the class, and afterwards, the whole class was crying. Many went out to see the film afterwards and said they loved it. I highly recommend this film for anyone who needs a boost up in life, needs comfort and reassurance, and needs a reminder that they matter in this crazy world. Love it for its fun and beautiful scenes, treasure it because its underlying message was written for you.

great movie for kids

I wanted to see this film some time ago and unfortunately never managed it. I like the cast as there is some quirkyness about them. I like the idea as movies should bring some magic in to your life. The effects are good, the styling and the look of the movie are good. The story starts a lot like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory but that is ok as its not long before it goes off in its own direction. And lastly the sentiment is nice.The bad bits are that the movie claims to be a comedy but I didn't laugh, although it was light hearted and it made me smile. There could have been more focus on the special effects, there is lots of things going on in the movie but it could have done with more. Lastly, the film ended at the good bit, I was expecting more to happen and the credits rolled in.In short, this is not a bad film but its not a blockbuster either. As a family film it is easy to watch and it does deal with some issues that are in an easy format to understand, basically younger children can watch this and they wouldn't be confused by the plot. The characters are very non-threatening and there is a touch of rainman in the Hoffman character. My advise is watch this on a rainy Sunday afternoon as there is some warmth about the story, its just a shame that it could do with a bit more content.

Before I bought this film I read the reviews here. Most were very enthusiastic but a few were strangely antipathetic, suggesting that this was 'just' a movie for young children and should only be watched in the company of that demographic. Having watched it several times - without infant supervision - I find it just delightful. It was clearly made with love and that quality pervades it at every level. On third and fourth viewing it still makes me laugh out loud. It reminds me that when I was nine years old I had a wonderfully creative imagination - later in life it became amazingly destructive, but it doesn't have to be that way.The performances are excellent - Zack Mills is wonderful as nine-year-old Eric - Dustin Hoffman as Mr Magorium is delightful and seems to be channelling Ed Wynn's bumbling Fire Chief from the 1930s (the voice of the Mad Hatter in Disney's Alice in Wonderland) - Jason Bateman is convincing as Henry the grey-suited 'counting mutant' and gives us a glimpse of Dudley Moore from the 1960s when Henry tries pretending - Natalie Portman is enchanting as Molly Mahoney, pianist, composer and reluctant magical emporium proprietor, her fluid movement showing her early training as a dancer.I love the idea of a toyshop where all the toys are encouraged to play with the customers. I particularly like the self-assembly wooden dinosaur which tries to eat a Frisbee and manages to be out of sight every time the sceptical counting mutant looks round. If anyone doubts that it is a magical toy store, surely the fact that if it's upset it can turn grey and wrinkly proves it is magical.At first I felt very sorry for the authors of the unfavourable reviews and assumed they must be suffering from cherophobia or even triskaidekaphobia complicated by acute arachibutyrophobia. Now I suspect these reviews are brilliant works of parody, written in the style of Henry the 'mutant', before he learns to pretend - congratulations.For me this film's abiding message is "Your life is an occasion - rise to it" or just possibly "Please deposit additional 35 cents."

A little-known classic. Great acting, particularly from Dustin Hoffman as the eccentric title character, coupled with a funny script that has more depth than your usual kids film, this is a movie that we've watched again and again.*** SPOILER WARNING ***For very small children or those of a very sensitive nature be warned that there are themes of loss and passing, that although handled very delicately and not even mentioned explicitly in the script, some might find sad.*** SPOILER WARNING ENDS! ***This is an uplifting, funny and imaginative film that I'm surprised isn't as well known as it deserves to be.Give it a go and you'll be pleased that you did!

Only if I could meet a girl is kind and is wonderful and as beautiful as the main female character in this film...!!Only if I could meet a friend as wonderful as the artistic character in this film...!!and only if I could meet a best friend and mentor like the owner of the shop played by Dustin Hoffman in real life...!!My life would be truly remarkable and wonderful and happy and all the pain and suffering that I have suffered at the hands of corrupt evil ignorant people with no longer exist...!!

If you have ever been looked at as if you don’t belong or have been the “freak”, the “weirdo”, or the “mentally unhinged”, this film will hug you. In this charming story of an eccentric toy creator and his motley crew of misfits and ‘freaks’ we are shown exactly what we all feel as the outsiders. If you have heard anything negative about this film I prompt you to ignore it, it changed my outlook on death, and living, completely, and moved me and the other mentally ambiguous freaks to tears. Watch it.