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Mr. Magorium (Dustin Hoffman) is not only a lover of fine Italian shoes, he’s owned and operated the same magnificent toy store for 113 years – with that much time under the same management, it’s no wonder it’s a magical place. From the moment Molly Mahoney (Natalie Portman) opens the store each morning, it’s full of enthusiastic kids – laughing, playing and discovering astonishing things about these very special toys. And if you can’t find something on the shelves, all you have to do is ask the big book of inventory and it arrives faster than you can google it. Mahoney also composes, but right now she’s stuck on the same few notes. One of the helpers around the store is Eric (Zach Mills); he collects more hats than friends and he may be only nine, but he can build amazing Lego sculptures. When Mr. Magorium decides he’s going to leave the store behind, he brings in Henry (Jason Bateman), the accountant counting mutant to get his decades of receipts and ledgers in order.
There are a few things that need to be straightened out before Mr. Magoruim leaves: Mahoney needs to find her own magic and the next note to her rhapsody; Henry needs to learn how to enjoy something besides work; and Eric could really use a new friend. Fortunately for them, at the Wonder Emporium anything can happen, if you just believe.
The target audience for this movie is younger children, but you don’t have
to be under 9 to have a good time. This store is full of wondrous things
that catch your eye. The fun is in the big stuff, but also the little details
– a game of duck, duck, goose is not the same in this toy store; having
shoes that last "the rest of your life"; and who knew you could
be so moved by a little sock-puppet monkey?
Outside the toy store, the best parts revolve around Eric – when he gives Henry a chance to use his imagination and when he creates a magical space inside a scary place, you can’t help but adore this unique little boy.
There are also some very nice messages tucked in amongst all these toys
– about friendship, about life, about temper tantrums, and about a mutant
who learns that numbers aren’t the only things you can count on. Sure,
there are a few flaws (like Dustin Hoffman’s lisp) and one very serious
subject that we’re not going to divulge, but we saw this with a theater
full of small children who were mesmerized and so were we. And by "we",
I mean myself and the Parents of the Movie Chicks (POMC) – we didn’t have
a single child with us. MOMC said it was the first time she has been in
a theatre full of children where they were all so captivated by the story
that they didn’t make a sound.
This film is sweet, charming, and whimsical with a quirky quality – the music is fun and even the credits are cute and original.
© 2007 20th Century Fox - All rights reserved
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