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Movies / Upcoming / Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium
Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium

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Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (2007)

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Reviews Counted:120

Fresh:44

Rotten:76

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.

Runtime: 1 hr 34 mins

Genre: Childrens

US 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... 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, when Molly, a former composer and pianist, has doubts about taking over the (literally) magical store, and an uptight accountant (Jason Bateman) appears to assess the establishment, the many inhabitants of the Wonder Emporium begin to rebel, resulting in a chaotic situation that can be fixed only with the help of a shy, lonely boy (Zach Mills). A first-time director best known for his inventive STRANGER THAN FICTION screenplay, Helm ably--ahem--helms EMPORIUM, which clearly nods to the WONKA and TOY STORY movies without seeming derivative. Always one to dive gamely into a quirky role (see TOOTSIE, RAIN MAN, HOOK, etc.), Hoffman makes Magorium both silly and endearing, while Portman charms as his earnest protégé, and Bateman provides an enjoyable level of skepticism while enduring the nickname "The Mutant." Although the film's playful quality could veer toward excess, its thoughtful script and able actors allow it to stand out as a highly entertaining production. [More]

Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Natalie Portman, Jason Bateman, Zach Mills

Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Natalie Portman, Jason Bateman, Zach Mills

Director: Zach Helm

Director: Zach Helm
Producer: Richard N. Gladstein, James Garavente
Composer: Alexandre Desplat, Aaron Zigman
Studio: 20th Century Fox

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Reviews for Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
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Reviews
Tomatometer Critic Review Category
splat

Urban Cinefile Critics

The magic only comes in occasional flashes, with the rest of the time filled by forced silliness that is not united by anything more than talk of smiles and puppies and rainbows

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Dec., 07 2007 01:20 AM

Urban Cinefile

splat
65/100

Jamie Gillies

The wonderful fantasy elements Zach Helm was trying to tap into do not translate over to this particular toy store.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jun., 17 2009 09:34 AM

Apollo Guide

splat

Steve Biodrowski

For all its computer-generated effects and colorful sight gags, Magorium is a dreadfully prosaic movie, lacking charm and grace.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jul., 12 2008 04:44 PM

ESplatter

tomato
C+

Robert Roten

A weak whimsical story with a good heart.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jul., 06 2008 02:53 PM

Laramie Movie Scope

tomato
5/5

Alonso Duralde

The trailers make the movie look like the ickiest kind of whimsy, accompanied by obstreperous special effects, but the film itself is gasp-worthy.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | May., 01 2008 04:42 PM

MSNBC

splat

Tricia Olszewski

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.

Full Review Source: | comment 1 Comment | Mar., 06 2008 04:43 PM

Washington City Paper

splat
3/5

Jules Brenner

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.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Mar., 05 2008 09:49 AM

Cinema Signals

tomato
6/10

Jeff Bayer

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.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Mar., 04 2008 09:37 AM

The Scorecard Review

tomato
3.5/5

David Cornelius

Yes, there is wonder here, and plenty of it.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Feb., 29 2008 03:26 AM

DVDTalk.com

tomato
7/10

Simon Thompson

Although it's not set at Christmas, it's a great traditional yet contemporary festive treat.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jan., 22 2008 02:46 AM

Heart 106.2

splat

Andy Klein

... never quite as magical as it wants to be.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Dec., 21 2007 02:14 AM

Los Angeles CityBeat

splat
D+

Mark Pfeiffer

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.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Dec., 16 2007 04:57 PM

Reel Times: Reflections on Cinema

splat

Robert Hanks

Better to prepare your children for the world with a DVD of Hoffman in Midnight Cowboy.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Dec., 14 2007 10:11 AM

Independent

splat

David Gritten

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.)

Full Review Source: | comment 1 Comment | Dec., 14 2007 10:02 AM

Daily Telegraph

splat

Nigel Andrews

No wise child, let alone grown-up, will touch this with a turkey baster.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Dec., 14 2007 09:42 AM

Financial Times

splat
2/5

Xan Brooks

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.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Dec., 14 2007 09:22 AM

Guardian [UK]

splat
2/5

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.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Dec., 14 2007 08:41 AM

Sun Online

tomato
3/5

James Christopher

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.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Dec., 14 2007 08:34 AM

Times [UK]

splat
2/5

David Edwards

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.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Dec., 14 2007 08:20 AM

Daily Mirror [UK]

splat
0/5

Mr Magorium’s Terrible Tedium.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Dec., 14 2007 03:57 AM

Daily Mail [UK]

 
 
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