MPAA Rating: G
Genre: Comedy/Family/Fantasy
Age range: Ages 5 and up
Runtime: Approx. 94 minutes
Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Natalie Portman, Jason Bateman, Zach Mills
Studio: 20th Century Fox/Walden
Release Date: November 16, 2007
Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (2007) - Summary
243-year-old Mr. Magorium (Dustin Hoffman) has devoted most of his life to his greatest love - Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium. Like Magorium, his toy store is magical. The toys come to life, and the store provides a wonderfully exciting and imaginative experience to all the children who come to play there. Mr. Magorium loves the store, as do his two employees - nine-year-old Eric (Zach Mills) and store manager/aspiring musician Molly Mahoney (Natalie Portman). The only problem is, Mr. Magorium has fulfilled his dreams at the store and is ready to leave.
In order to prepare for his immanent departure, Mr. Magorium hires and accountant, Henry (Jason Bateman) to take an accounting of his store and figure out its value. While the unbelieving account tries to make sense out of the nonsensical store and the records, Mr. Magorium prepares 23-year-old Molly to take over for him. But, Molly is having trouble accepting Magorium leaving, and she does not see how she could run the magic store without him.
Bleak reality overcomes the store and everyone involved when Magorium goes away. Devastated, Eric tries everything he knows to save his beloved work place, but he is unfortunately dependent upon the adults in the situation. Only Molly and Henry have the power to save the magical legacy - but they would have to believe.
Photo © 20th Century Fox
Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (2007) - Parent Review
Rated G, Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium seems a perfect movie for children. True, it is a wonderful, heart-felt family movie with a positive message. However, fantastic toy store scenes may be too few and far between to hold the attention of younger kids. The majority of the family drama centers around the relationships between the characters and their belief in the magic and in themselves, so kids ages five and under will probably become restless during some parts of the movie.
Also central to the story is the theme of death. Mr. Magorium's knowledge that he will soon be leaving the world is the driving force behind the characters' situation and the challenges they must overcome. Some of the movie takes place in a hospital, and a graveside scene is also shown.
Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (2007) - Content Overview
The following lists a few of the most prominent examples of possibly offensive content in the movie (may contain spoilers):Violence (Very Low)
- Some toys are shown getting "mad" when the toy store throws a temper tantrum. Toy volcanos explode, balls roll out of a room, a lemur jumps onto a boys head, and other things such as these.
- A boy purposefully steps on Henry's foot.
Sex/Nudity (None)
Profanity (Very low)
- The word "crap" is used.
Alcohol/Drugs (None)
Bad/Disrespectful Behavior (Low)
- Mr. Magorium and others call the accountant "mutant."
- Some characters jump on the beds in a store.
Scary Scenes (Low)
- Some children may be concerned when the toy store throws its tantrum or when the toys turn all black due to sorrow.
Sad/Unsettling Scenes (Medium)
- Mr. Magorium tells Molly that he is going to leave this world.
- Mr. Magoium is gone and the characters are shown at his grave side. The toy store turns black in sorrow.
- Eric struggles with making friends and feels sad that other kids never want to play with him.
Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium - Topics to Talk About
- Children may have questions about topics such as death, the afterlife, magic, living for 243 years, making friends, being "weird" or "different."
