Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (2007)
36 %
Reviews Counted: 117 Fresh: 42 Rotten:75 Average Rating: 4.9/10
Consensus:
Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium's title is much more fun that the film itself, as the colorful visuals and talented players can't make up for a bland story.
Rated: G
Runtime: 1 hr 34 mins
Theatrical Release: Nov 16, 2007 Wide
Box Office: $31,920,538
Synopsis: In writer-director Zach Helm's whimsical 2007 film, MR. MAGORIUM'S WONDER EMPORIUM, veteran actor Dustin Hoffman plays the title character, a 243-year-old toy-store owner who is ready to pass his enchanted business on to his beloved assistant, Molly Mahoney (Natalie Portman). However,... [More]
Genre: Childrens
Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Natalie Portman, Jason Bateman, Zach Mills
Director: Zach Helm
Producer: Richard N. Gladstein, James Garavente
Composer: Alexandre Desplat, Aaron Zigman
Producer: Richard N. Gladstein, James Garavente
Composer: Alexandre Desplat, Aaron Zigman
Buy It On DVD
Reviews
The trailers make the movie look like the ickiest kind of whimsy, accompanied by obstreperous special effects, but the film itself is gasp-worthy.
Comment
05/01/08
The result, for all its swirly colors and surrealism, is alternately dull and irritating, an experience akin to learning that you're going on a field trip only to discover that it's to the box factory.
03/06/08
If there were as many great ideas in the story as there are in the art and CGI special effects departments, this fantasy tale of wonder might have been a hit.
03/05/08
I laughed out loud once, yet I am giving this film a positive review. There's something magical about a G-rated film that attempts to capture life, death and a little bit of magic.
03/04/08
Although it's not set at Christmas, it's a great traditional yet contemporary festive treat.
01/22/08
Broken into storybook-like chapters...the film implies that it possesses literary roots; however, Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium comes across as a quickie knockoff attempting to capitalize on a more popular title's success.
12/16/07
Better to prepare your children for the world with a DVD of Hoffman in Midnight Cowboy.
12/14/07
In its favour, there's nothing here to upset the children. (Not, that is, unless they're allergic to Hoffman's hammy, Method-derived acting.)
12/14/07
No wise child, let alone grown-up, will touch this with a turkey baster.
12/14/07
You'd have to be a Scrooge to take against this, though it could use a little more Roald Dahl-ish bite, and a little less of the Hoffman twinkle. Needless to say, it all ends happily.
12/14/07
Things go badly wrong when eccentric Mr Magorium announces he has had enough of his 243 years on earth and has decided to pop his clogs.
12/14/07
This is a lovely story for children under 14. Jason Bateman is the horrified and expensive plod who has to wind up Hoffman’s wild accounts. Portman is wonderful as the daffy heroine who needs to grow up and perhaps fall in love.
12/14/07
Trying with all its might to be endearing, the magic is simply missing. Hoffman is unbelievably annoying as the lisping Willy Wonka wannabe, while Portman looks uninterested.
12/14/07
No doubt intended to be a Christmas blockbuster - this pretty looking film is ultimately all wrapping, with nothing much to find inside.
12/13/07
Too dark for kids, too daffy for grown-ups. There’s the odd glimmer of charm, but beneath the fluttering FX and existential fluster, Helm has buried the most important toy in the box: a good story.
12/13/07
Let’s not be too Scrooge-like; there are pockets of charm, and some of the effects are quite good.
12/13/07
Schmaltzy musical cues ensure we all get the message, but the desperately dull final third is likely to drive both kids and grown-ups to nose-picking, seat-kicking distraction.
12/13/07
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Around the Network
• Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium at Rotten Tomatoes
• Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium at IGN
• Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium at AskMen
• Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium at IGN
• Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium at AskMen
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