Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (2007)

User Rating:

6.2/10   

Director:

Zach Helm

Writer (WGA):

Zach Helm (written by)

Release Date:

16 November 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Family | Fantasy

Tagline:

You have to believe it to see it.

Plot:

Molly Mahoney is the awkward and insecure manager of Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium, the strangest, most fantastic, most wonderful toy store in the world. But when Mr. Magorium, the 243 year-old eccentric who owns the store, bequeaths the store to her, a dark and ominous change begins to take over the once remarkable Emporium.

Plot Keywords:

Toy Store | Accountant | Piano | Composer | Hat

Awards:

2 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Fri. July 17

6:50 AM

MAX

Cast

Ted Ludzik	...	Bellini, the Bookbuilder
Natalie Portman	...	Molly Mahoney, the Composer
Zach Mills	...	Eric Applebaum, the Hat Collector
Dustin Hoffman	...	Mr. Edward Magorium, Avid Shoe-Wearer
Madalena Brancatella	...	Jessica, Who Got a Cowboy Hat
Paula Boudreau	...	Brenda, Who Wants a Mobile
Mike Realba	...	Dave Wolf, Who's an Engineer
Steve Whitmire	...	Kermit the Frog (voice)
Liam Powley-Webster	...	Andy, the Boy Who Likes to Color
Marcia Bennett	...	Lora, Who Wants a Fire Engine
Jason Bateman	...	Henry Weston, the Mutant
Oliver Masuda	...	Jordan, Who Said Hi
Samantha Harvey	...	Cassie, the Girl Chased by a Goose
Jesse Bostick	...	Derek, Who Opened the Door
Isaac Durnford	...	Jason, Who's a Little Too Curious

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

USA:G | UK:U | Ireland:G | South Africa:A | Australia:G | Canada:G (all jurisdictions) | Taiwan:GP | Philippines:G (MTRCB) | Singapore:PG | Germany:o.Al. | South Korea:All | Hong Kong:I | Switzerland:0 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:0 (canton of Vaud) | New Zealand:G | Portugal:M/6 | Sweden:Btl | Finland:K-3

Filming Locations:

Cinespace Film Studios, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Mandate Pictures

Trivia:

Dustin Hoffman originated Mr. Magorium's hairdo, bushy eyebrows and lisping vocals. According to Hoffman, when he first tried the voice out on Zach Helm and two of the producers, "they freaked."

Goofs:

Continuity: While in the hospital, Molly and Henry are talking in the hallway while Eric is in the background rolling back and forth on his 'wheelie' shoes. Eric wheels to the right side of the hall, then there is a close-up shot of Henry. Eric is back on the left side of the hall.

Quotes:

[from trailer]
Henry Weston: When you say magical, do you mean special?
Molly Mahoney: Magical.
Henry Weston: What about... really really cool?
Molly Mahoney: MAGICAL!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Frank TV: Money in the Frank (#1.2)" (2007)

Soundtrack:

Love the World You Find

Smoke and Mirrors

99 words or less:

Well-intentioned, but the writer/director Zach Helm has no faith in the audience, nor in film as a visual medium. There is no wonder here, only great swells of music where it says in the script. What little he has to say is spoon fed to you by the dialog and the voice-overs. Colorful SFX can't compensate for the walking clichés that replace real characters: Magical Guy. Blocked Artist. Lonely Child. Boring Accountant. Yeah, it's a Kid's Movie. Cap'n Krunch is Kid's Cereal. Does that make it good?

I feel better now.