Movies From the Hat 2 – Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium (2007)

Recommended by Connor of Conman At The Movies

(Recommendation #24 of 30)

Tnx Connor

“We must face tomorrow, whatever it may hold, with determination, joy and bravery ” – Mr. Edward Magorium

Number of Times Seen – 2 (30 Dec 2007 and 27 May 2015)

Brief Synopsis – When the owner of a magical toy store decided that it’s time to move on, he gives the store to his able manager but the magical store begins to change for the worse.

My Take on it – Like Peter Pan (1953), this movie is all about discovering the child within you and finding a way to let it out.

Dustin Hoffman, Natalie Portman and Jason Bateman are all great here and pass on the message about the importance of being true to your real self and to your heart.

The effects used in this movie for the toy shop are really cool, because seriously, who wouldn’t want to visit a store like that.  It wouldn’t matter if you were a kid or an adult.

The music helps give us the phantasmagorical feeling making the story seem even more genuine and real.

One of the standouts here is Zack Mills who plays a little kid who helps out at the store because he is “socially awkward” and has no friends.  The environment of the store give shim the ability to shed his shyness and really be himself and come out of his shell.

Bottom Line – Hoffman, Portman and Bateman are all great here.  The idea of a toy store like this is the dream of every kid (and the kid in all of us adults). Great effects and music help this movie feel very phantasmagorical which contributes to its believability.  Zack Mills is great as a kid who volunteers at the store and helps run it.  Amazing message about being true to yourself and your heart.  Recommended!

MovieRob’s Favorite 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.” (From IMDB)

Rating – Globe Worthy

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