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MR. MAGORIUM'S WONDER EMPORIUM (HDNET MOVIES KIDSCENE)

Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium is a great movie. It is magical, literally. Mr. Magorium (Dustin Hoffman) is a 243 year-old-man who owns a magical toy store. He has to leave and plans to pass the toy store on to the manager, Molly Mahoney, who is also like a daughter to him. Even though Molly doesn't want him to leave, Mr. Magorium hires an accountant to help sort out all his paperwork so she can manage the store more smoothly. Molly doesn't want the store and is confused. She tries to find her inner talent but doesn't know where to go to pursue it. Mr. Magorium helps her find her potential and shows her she has the power to control all the toys and the whole store.

I like this movie because there is a lot of excitement involved. This is not a normal toy store. All the toys are alive. Legos walk around, paper air planes fly themselves through the air and balls bounce on their own. Even the stuffed animals move. My favorite part is when the store gets mad and throws a temper tantrum because Mr. Magorium is leaving. The walls turn grey and the toys go psycho.

Eric (Zach Mills) does a spectacular job. He is the only one who doesn't give up on the store. He, also has an awesome hat collection, and I like him the most. Henry, (Jason Bateman), is a boring adult but in the end he finally lets his inner child out to play with Eric. Molly Mahoney (Natalie Portman) does a great job of showing how an adult gets stuck and doesn't know where to go next in life. The special effects are phenomenal because it seems like the toys are really moving which kept my attention.

The moral of this story is to have faith in yourself which goes along with a quote in the movie stating "Your life is an occasion, rise to it." This movie is perfect for ages 8 through18. Both boys and girls will love to watch this movie because it is all about magical toys. I give it a five out of five dazzling stars.

Reviewed by Haley P, KIDS FIRST! Critics, age 11

This is a whimsical, heart-felt film that has a lot going for it, but it doesn't exploit the story to its full potential. It takes place in Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium, a magical toy shop. Mr. Magorium (Dustin Hoffman) plays an eccentric child-like character who's over 240 years old. Molly Mahoney (Natalie Portman) a piano-prodigy works for him When Magorium tells Mahoney that he's giving the store to her because he's going away, she panics and the two embark on an emotional journey that will change their lives.

This film has me whistling the musical score while I'm writing this. It matches the film's visuals and atmosphere. Just listening to the piano, mixed in with the orchestra, is superb. The acting is amazing. I love Hoffman's performance. Magorium looks at the simple things in life and lives each second to spread joy to the world. It's surprisingly inspiring. The other actors such as Portman and Jason Bateman (Henry Weston A.K.A. Mutant) share a friendly connection on-screen and do a fantastic job working with one another. Eric (Zach Mills) plays an avid hat wearer/collector who has trouble making friends. He's a fantastic child actor.

With great characters and an okay story line, what could go wrong? Well, the ending. Without giving anything away, we see the characters go through their personal transitions, then wham, Mahoney and Henry have a confusing scene. It's almost as if they cut a line or two. What happens doesn't fit the film. It really angered me because we go through so much and then there is a rushed ending.

The moral of the story is, "Live your life so that people can remember your legacy." Mr. Magorium creates his legacy by spreading joy to people with his toy shop. He now wants Mahoney to live her life and create her legacy.

My favorite scene is when Mr. Magorium talks about his departure with Mahoney. I love this scene because of the truth and sincerity behind it. Magorium doesn't want her to be sad, but wants her to remember him as he was. It's touching.

I give this 4 out of 5 stars and recommended this to 6- through 11-year-olds. While I didn't like the ending, this is a family film with enough magic, creativity and goodwill for an evening of enjoyment.

Keefer C. Blakeslee, age 13, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic

see youth comments

Mr. Magorium is 243 years old and still runs his magical emporium, the most magical and spectacular toy store in the entire world. But when he is ready to finally retire and leave the store to the manager, the magic takes a dark turn.