Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (2007)

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 | Inheritance | Independent Film | Character Name In Title

Awards:

2 nominations

US Showtimes:

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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
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:

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

Filming Locations:

Cinespace Film Studios, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Mandate Pictures

Trivia:

Release prints were delivered to theaters with the fake title 'Magic Shop'.

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): When Mr. Magorium asks Henry to name the Fibonacci series from its 11th to 16th integer, Henry should name 6 integers, but only names 5. The 5 he names are the 12th to 16th integers of the Fibonacci series. He leaves out the 11th integer - 55.

Quotes:

Mr. Edward Magorium: I've been inventing toys since the 1770's.
Henry Weston: What, excuse me...
Mr. Edward Magorium: Yes?
Henry Weston: You say 1770's?
Mr. Edward Magorium: Yes, sir, so you can imagine accounting is a brand new concept to me.
Henry Weston: You know, that would make you at least 240 years old, sir.
Mr. Edward Magorium: You're already hired, mutant, there's no need to show off.

Movie Connections:

References "The Muppet Show" (1976)

Soundtrack:

Love the World You Find

NOT just for kids! I was uplifted, and found my own SPARKLE!

I expected a "kid" movie. And an insipid one at that. Treacly and dumb. So why did I go? Well, I'd seen everything else, and I really like Dustin Hoffman and Natalie Portman. I like Jason Bateman, too. So I took a chance. And it was really GOOD! True, kids will like this movie. But the theme of belief in one's self, and "possibilities," and all that metaphysical stuff appeals to me. Granted, the story line was about a toy store, but the real story underneath that, and which came shining through the juvenile aspects, was one of TRUE magic and possibility for all of us. The cast played their parts well, and the mechanics of the movie were good--- nice colours, nice sets. The animation, or puppets, or whatever the moving toys were, was believable.

At one point, Natalie Portman asks Jason Bateman if he sees "sparkle" in her. He has to say "no." But later, after the plot unfolds, admittedly predictably, the sparkle finally shows up. It showed up in me, too! The SPARKLE was there throughout the movie.

Whether you have kids or not, if you are in the mood for something light yet meaningful, check this out. It has the wonder of a Harry Potter movie, without the vapid and stupid plot of those films. This movie is brave enough to be simple, and true enough to be.... well, true. I feel better having sen it. And that's a worthy accomplishment for ANY movie!