Imagine your favorite childhood toy store and imagine the store as if it were alive. Now, imagine it were run by Dustin Hoffman. Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium brings that vision to life, completely encapsulating every meaning of the word “fantastic.”
Mr. Edward Magorium (Hoffman, Stranger Than Fiction), the 243-year-old man who claims he beat Abraham Lincoln at hopscotch and lent the idea of the light bulb to Thomas Edison, has the best job in the world. His toy store, Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium, offers the best kinds of toys around: They actually play back.
The store is managed by Molly Mahoney (Natalie Portman, The Darjeeling Limited), a former piano prodigy whose restrictive imagination has stunted her talent. But just when she’s thinking about taking up a “real” job, she discovers Mr. Magorium plans to “leave” – as in, plans to die.
Apparently, Mr. Magorium has bought enough pairs of his favorite shoes to last him a lifetime, and he’s down to his last pair. After his death, he wants Molly to take his place as the owner of the toy store, with a little help from Mr. Magorium’s new accountant, Henry (Jason Bateman, The Kingdom), and 9-year-old Eric (Zach Mills, Hollywoodland). But before the store passes into Molly’s hands, she needs to find the magic within herself to fill Mr. Magorium’s shoes (so to speak).
Helm stays with the kid-movie feel from the beginning of the film, but focuses on the theme of death throughout. This gutsy move alone reveals Helm’s choice to pursue a theme that kids are usually uncomfortable with, but he masters it effortlessly – and the result is impressive.
Helm’s actors make it all possible. Hoffman is charming as Mr. Magorium, and although his makeup might draw similarities to his other big-eyebrowed role as the man himself in Hook, he works as the pleasant toy aficionado.
Portman also works as Mahoney, expertly instilling her signature beautiful sadness to the playful character.
Overall, Magorium exposes an epiphany shared by most people: It’s easy to be a kid. Magorium clocks in at exactly 90 minutes, and yes, the film is meant for children, but everyone can enjoy its adult themes and charismatic characters.
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RATING: 3 STARS OUT OF 5
