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Rating:  - Beautiful.
This was such a good, bright, intriguing, magical movie. However I couldn't give it the full 5 stars for two reasons. First, it is terribly sad. I generally don't mind "bittersweet" movies, but this one just drug me too far down that even the joyful ending couldn't erase the sad feeling from earlier in the film. Mahoney's distress was just too real!
The second reason is the manner in which Magorium dies. I love that the movie somewhat "demystifies" death, reinforcing that a life well lived is not a cause for sadness but of celebration and honor. But the fact that they made his death so ordinarily human with the funeral and everyone lined up at his graveside dressed in black, really disappointed me. I was so hoping as they showed his feet on the night he "departed" that somehow they would just disappear as a fitting end to his magical life. Instead I was left with the terrible question, "What did he do to himself?" and "Who found his body?" etc. I am relatively certain that kids over a certain age are savvy enough to ask the same questions. And the way the movie portrays it, I don't think there are satisfactory answers.
This portrayal of death with the questions it raises take away from the main message of the movie that, "Your life is an occasion... rise to it," and that we do that by believing in ourselves and by faith in the seemingly impossible. "Wonder Emporium" is a beautifully crafted movie with only this one dark spot in my mind.
This is the kind of movie that seems like it must have been a well-loved book first with it's classic kid-lit characters... what a joy to find that there are people in Hollywood with the talent and imagination to create a story like this in present times! I look forward to more.
Rating: - Wonderful
This movie is suitable for all ages. It really is entertaining and magical, and yet it seems to teach us sorta of a moral as well.
Wonderful performance by Dustin Hoffman.
Rating:  - Magical
Let me make this clear first. I didn't watch this film with any children, nor am I some sort of child in a mans body. I'm a lover of movies that seek to entertain, inspire and teach. Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium does all three and the supporting cast to Dustin Hoffman really make this movie work.
Dustin Hoffman plays the eccentric toy shop owner who's over 240 years old and a believer in magic. One day he tells his dependable shop manager, Mahoney played by Natalie Portman that he's "Leaving." Firstly he must hire an accountant who we come to know solely as Mutant played by Jason Bateman to sort out all his paperwork, all 240 years worth. This becomes a story of friendship, love, belief and living life to the full to achieve all you wanted to achieve.
There are times in this film when it becomes truly heart wrenching. Especially the scene where Magorium finally leaves, but you become accepting of this, as that's what the movie's all about. Moving on. A very entertaining film for the entire family to enjoy and is something I'd strongly recommend
Rating: - Funny Movie
This is a funny movie. Dustin Hoffman is outstanding in his role (especially when he talks to the zebra).
Rating: - Underrated, a fantastic movie
People didn't really "get" this movie when it came out in November, partly because it looks like a cross between Willy Wonka and Pee Wee's Big Adventure. It's actually a movie about friendship, and death. And it's really funny.
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