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Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (2007)

Director: Zach Helm

Time Out rating

Average user rating

25 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out London

The trailer makes Zach Helm’s fantasy look appealing, as if it were a companion to ‘Lemony Snicket’s…’ or ‘Nanny McPhee’. It turns out to be no more than a dull, whimsical, superficial film about a 243-year-old toy shop owner who is fast approaching the end of his life. We have no idea why Mr Magorium (Dustin Hoffman, with wig and lisp) is so old and about to die. What we do know is that his emporium is so magical that all the toys spring to life. Now, with old Mags about to pop off, the shop senses a sad future and throws a fit by turning everything grey.

Will Magorium’s successor, manager Natalie Portman, have the belief in the power of magic to restore the store’s powers? Will she ever fall in love with Jason Bateman’s accountant? And who is the kid with the silly hat? Let’s not be too Scrooge-like; there are pockets of charm, and some of the effects are quite good. But if you want your children to experience notions of mortality in the realms of fantasy, rent ‘Bridge to Terabithia’.

Author: Derek Adams

Time Out London Issue 1947: December 12-18 2007

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User reviews of this film

Leo Tsypkin said...

Posted on Jul 19 2010 19:58 Not one of Dutine Hoffan's or Natalie Portman's best movies.

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Angela said...

Posted on May 01 2008 19:27 Average film I think it was missing adult humour but hey it's a kids film & my 4yr old daughter loved it! She loves anything magical or fairytale! We only paid a £1 each so not complaining at that at all!

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Jo said...

Posted on Feb 28 2008 12:38 Took the kids to see it last week and was very disappointed. Thought Mr Mag was very creepy ...... made my flesh crawl in fact, didn't like the 'voice' or the way he touched the children :( Film was much improved after his departure which didn't make me cry as most movie departures do!! Natalie didn't really get into her role, wasn't at all believable. The boy and the 'Mutant' were the best characters but even they were pretty 2 dimensional. Luckily all this went over my 8 yr olds heads and they said they enjoyed it, but even they weren't begging me to get the dvd like they usually do after most films!!

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the Caped Misanthrope said...

Posted on Jan 23 2008 20:25 Shame about this film. Could have been good but simply wasn't. Disappointing as my daughter really wanted to see it. Shame too is the unfortunate under-use of some great talent in the guise of Mr Dustin Hoffman. A fine actor in a weak film. incidentally, the person shown as "dipstick" below criticises the writing of a child with his own terrible writing, and poor use of grammar,
and speeeelling. Some people like to think they know it all. Go for your life Sophie, ignore the critics and express yourself. Having studied language for a long time I can tell you that none of the points he raises matter unless you wish to enter a victorian household, as language constantly evolves and grammar is entirely flexible.
Keep it funky girl, and ignore the idiots ;o)

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emily said...

Posted on Jan 12 2008 11:59 this is putting people of this film and now i dont want to go

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Justine said...

Posted on Jan 12 2008 11:09 Dipstick (appropriate) needs to leave Sophie alone, she,s only a kid - if you have nothing worthwile to say - best to say nothing at all :-)

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Lucex said...

Posted on Jan 01 2008 22:00 It looks brilliant but after lukin at the reviews i dont really want to go and see it

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julii said...

Posted on Jan 01 2008 15:07 i dont reccomend it, it's preety boring and childish and RUBBISH

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Ruth said...

Posted on Dec 31 2007 19:22 The best thing about this film was the trailer. Very dull. I took my 5-year-old daughter who was dying to see it after seeing the trailer so many times. Turns out those clips were the only bits worth watching! Not recommended for any age group.

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[[.x.Sophie....*& said...

Posted on Dec 30 2007 19:01 Hyahh, saw dis film wiff my mum n fought it waz gurd buhh waz sad halfwayy threw lol x if only magorium wud stay x most people wudd enjoy it ah fink n it isnt as bad as people awr makin owt lol x buhh every1 lyks different fings x buhh mee n myy mum enjoyed it x the endin waznt reli dahh gurd x n sort of stayed open as if theyre waz ah numbah2 lol x buhh am nt tellin any1 wahh appens x watch it yahselves furr thah x

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stacey said...

Posted on Dec 29 2007 10:36 I was going to see the film with my mates but everyone said that it is rubbish and they were disappointed so i'm not sure now but we could just go for a laugh!

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murray said...

Posted on Dec 27 2007 13:14 haven't seen it but looking at other reviews , it would appear poor.

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veronica said...

Posted on Dec 26 2007 13:56 these people are very wrong for the use of language on here!!! this is a family website, little kids included!!!

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Lucie=) said...

Posted on Dec 24 2007 10:45 I have not yet seen this film but it looks absolutely brilliant from the reviews it seems quite bad but the trailer is just pure class! Love it loads xx

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yuppie said...

Posted on Dec 23 2007 20:32 I am going to say it could have been a lot better and i think it should belong in the trash

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