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Movies / On DVD / 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.

Rated: G

Runtime: 1 hr 34 mins

Genre: Childrens

Theatrical Release:Nov 16, 2007 Wide

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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Release:

May 12, 2009

[DVD Details]
 
 

DVD Features:

  • Region 1
  • NTSC
  • Keep Case
  • Full Frame - 1.33
  • Widescreen - 2.35

Audio:

  • Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
  • Dolby Digital Surround - Spanish, French
  • Subtitles - English, Spanish, French - Optional

Additional Release Material:

  • Behind the Scenes: "Strangely Weird and Weirdly Strange: The Magical World of a Wonder Emporium" (Parts 1-5)

Featurette:

  • 1. "An Eccentric Boss and an Awkward Apprentice"
  • 2. "To Find Eric Applebaum, Start by Saying Hi"
  • 3. "A Magical Toy Store"
  • 4. "Fun on the Set"

Trailers:

  • 1. Forced Trailers
  • 2. 20th Century Fox Previews

Interactive Features:

  • Interactive Games: "Paper Airplane Tutor"
 
 
 
 

Reviews for Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium

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1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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The wonderful fantasy elements Zach Helm was trying to tap into do not translate over to this particular toy store.

Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
06/17/09
Jamie Gillies
Jamie Gillies
Apollo Guide

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

Full Review Source: ESplatter | comment Comment
07/12/08
Steve Biodrowski
Steve Biodrowski
ESplatter

A weak whimsical story with a good heart.

Full Review Source: Laramie Movie Scope | comment Comment
07/06/08
Robert Roten
Robert Roten
Laramie Movie Scope

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: MSNBC | comment Comment
05/01/08
Alonso Duralde
Alonso Duralde
MSNBC

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: Washington City Paper | comment 1 Comment
03/06/08
Tricia Olszewski
Tricia Olszewski
Washington City Paper

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: Cinema Signals | comment Comment
03/05/08
Jules Brenner
Jules Brenner
Cinema Signals

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: The Scorecard Review | comment Comment
03/04/08
Jeff Bayer
Jeff Bayer
The Scorecard Review

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

Full Review Source: DVDTalk.com | comment Comment
02/29/08
David Cornelius
David Cornelius
DVDTalk.com

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

Full Review Source: Heart 106.2 | comment Comment
01/22/08
Simon Thompson
Simon Thompson
Heart 106.2

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

Full Review Source: Los Angeles CityBeat | comment Comment
12/21/07
Andy Klein
Andy Klein
Los Angeles CityBeat

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: Reel Times: Reflections on Cinema | comment Comment
12/16/07
Mark Pfeiffer
Mark Pfeiffer
Reel Times: Reflections on Cinema

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

Full Review Source: Independent | comment Comment
12/14/07
Robert Hanks
Robert Hanks
Independent

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: Daily Telegraph | comment 1 Comment
12/14/07
David Gritten
David Gritten
Daily Telegraph

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

Full Review Source: Financial Times | comment Comment
12/14/07
Nigel Andrews
Nigel Andrews
Financial Times

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: Guardian [UK] | comment Comment
12/14/07
Xan Brooks
Xan Brooks
Guardian [UK]

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: Sun Online | comment Comment
12/14/07
Sun Online

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: Times [UK] | comment Comment
12/14/07
James Christopher
James Christopher
Times [UK]

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: Daily Mirror [UK] | comment Comment
12/14/07
David Edwards
David Edwards
Daily Mirror [UK]

Mr Magorium’s Terrible Tedium.

Full Review Source: Daily Mail [UK] | comment Comment
12/14/07
Daily Mail [UK]

No doubt intended to be a Christmas blockbuster - this pretty looking film is ultimately all wrapping, with nothing much to find inside.

Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
12/13/07
Kate Lloyd
Kate Lloyd
BBC
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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