| Product: |
Mr Magorium's Wonder Emporium (DVD) |
| Date: |
12/07/08 (83 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: A fantastic magical tale
Disadvantages: Could be seen as far fetched but hey it's a childrens film
Mr Magorium's Wonder Emporium is a fantastic magical film that the whole family can enjoy. It is a film that doesn't take itself too seriously and so shouldn't be taken too seriously by the viewer but does at times deal with a few topical issues.
Mr Magorium's Wonder Emporium is a magical toyshop in which anything can happen and frequently does. Lego builds itself, the force of gravity does not worry toy aircraft and playmobil characters have their own adventures. Its owner Mr Magorium is an eccentric 243 year-old that has dedicated his life to making toys.
The insecure Molly Mahoney, a pianist who has spent her life being told she has potential but is currently struggling to write her 1st symphony, manages the store and is doing a brilliant job but big changes lie ahead.
Mr Magorium is on his last pair of shoes and considering he bought enough o last his whole life he knows he is about to depart and so realising he has no idea of the worth of the shop hires Henry, a somewhat stuffy account, he affectionately dubs 'Mutant' to find out, as he himself prepares to bequeath the entire story to Molly.
She however is utterly shocked when he reveals his plans to her and store regular Eric, a nine year old boy, and doesn't feel she has the ability to do what he is asking of her. To make matters worse the shop itself also has other ideas. To try and make him stay Molly must use any means necessary to show him he still has things to live for. Mr Magorium however is still determined to go, his time is up and he's had a wonderful life. So he departs leaving Molly a cube he says will aid her.
But what does the cube do?
Will Henry ever loosen up and believe?
And can Molly Mahoney believe in herself and find the inspiration to complete her symphony?
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This film is in my opinion a fabulous light-hearted magical tale. It is humorous without being childishly slapstick and at moments is quite emotional. The way Eric deals with ease the situation of Mr Magorium's departure and on the whole plays the voice of reason within the film is reassuring to both an adult and child audience.
The musical score is simple yet effective and really adds an emotional power to the tale being told from the very beginning to the very end. It is a mix of childlike nursery rhyme style ditties and more complex inspirational pieces.
The characters themselves are rather stereotypical and range from the eccentric mad inventor Mr Magorium to the insecure and uncertain shop manager, the lonely and shy young boy to the somewhat stuck-up and refusing to believe accountant. These stereotypes however work really well within the film and really pull together all elements of the film.
The acting is superb on all scores. Dustin Hoffman excels as the eccentrically loveable Mr Magorium and Natalie Portman is a true star as Molly Mahoney showing every emotion with conviction. The performances of Zach Mills and Jason Bateman, Eric and Henry respectively, are also extremely solid and at times rather heart-felt.
From the moment the store open its doors to the very end of the film the wonders inside and the story itself captures your imagination and allows you to run free in a place that has everything you could ever have dreamed of. The store itself asks for only two things in turn: that you believe in it and that you believe in yourself.
If you can do both of these things then the film will be a true hit and in your life you'll be able to achieve anything you set your heart to and in my opinion that is what this magical adventure is really all about.
Summary: A great little film that shouldn't be taken too seriously
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