My Take: While aimed at the right audiences of ages 3 and up, it doesn't really capture the attention of its older audiences.
I find nothing wrong with a family movie that's all too cute and fuzzy, which is the category in which MR. MAGORIUM'S WONDER EMPORIUM falls in. But what the makers of these kind of family movies seem to forget is that next to their easily-distracted target audience of little tykes is an adult who only wishes for the film to touch his/her inner child. While its elaborate and visual energy is bound to please kids, MR. MAGORIUM fails to engage everyone else.
In fairness, Dustin Hoffman does what he is intended to in the role of the young-spirited toy manufacturer of the title. It's also one of his weakest performances to date, as his child-like character's behavior quickly turns from cutesy to downright cloying; it's a one-note performance at best. Natalie Portman plays Molly Mahoney, Magorium's eager helper who finds out one day that his free-spirited, young-minded employer is "leaving" (Remember this is a kid's movie. The very mention of death from a light-hearted character might be a bit much for the kiddies), and that she is about to take his place. There's one problem: He knows the magic behind the toy store, while she doesn't. To add to the fact of the film's free spirit, there's also a workaholic, no-nonsense accountant (Jason Bateman) who discovers his inner child by playing with fancy clown hats and stuffed toys, while the adults in the audience feel nothing.
MR. MAGORIUM'S WONDER EMPORIUM will delight the younger audiences, but like many recent family movies, that's the extent of its purpose. Adults looking for a pleasant time for EVERYONE in the family should take the family elsewhere. Unless you just want a comfy, cutesy fantasy you can trust to babysit the kids, MR. MAGORIUM is a friendly time to distract the kids.
Rating: ** out of 5.
I find nothing wrong with a family movie that's all too cute and fuzzy, which is the category in which MR. MAGORIUM'S WONDER EMPORIUM falls in. But what the makers of these kind of family movies seem to forget is that next to their easily-distracted target audience of little tykes is an adult who only wishes for the film to touch his/her inner child. While its elaborate and visual energy is bound to please kids, MR. MAGORIUM fails to engage everyone else.
In fairness, Dustin Hoffman does what he is intended to in the role of the young-spirited toy manufacturer of the title. It's also one of his weakest performances to date, as his child-like character's behavior quickly turns from cutesy to downright cloying; it's a one-note performance at best. Natalie Portman plays Molly Mahoney, Magorium's eager helper who finds out one day that his free-spirited, young-minded employer is "leaving" (Remember this is a kid's movie. The very mention of death from a light-hearted character might be a bit much for the kiddies), and that she is about to take his place. There's one problem: He knows the magic behind the toy store, while she doesn't. To add to the fact of the film's free spirit, there's also a workaholic, no-nonsense accountant (Jason Bateman) who discovers his inner child by playing with fancy clown hats and stuffed toys, while the adults in the audience feel nothing.
MR. MAGORIUM'S WONDER EMPORIUM will delight the younger audiences, but like many recent family movies, that's the extent of its purpose. Adults looking for a pleasant time for EVERYONE in the family should take the family elsewhere. Unless you just want a comfy, cutesy fantasy you can trust to babysit the kids, MR. MAGORIUM is a friendly time to distract the kids.
Rating: ** out of 5.