While Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium
certainly uses the wacky world of Roald Dahl as framework (and Dustin
Hoffman just seems to have watched Johnny Depp for the last
three months straight) there is an unexpected charm and warmth that
grabs the cockles of your heart - and damn it's good to finally
experience a flick that actually does it!
Hoffman plays the title character, a 243 year old toy store
owner who is ready to pass his magical place of business onto his beloved
assistant, Molly Mahoney (Natalie Portman). However, when Molly (a
former child prodigy pianist) has doubts about taking over the magical store and an uptight accountant (Jason Bateman)
appears to assess the establishment - the Wonder
Emporium soon begins to rebel.
Emporium
is somewhat of a strange beast, with it (well, from where I was sitting
anyway) never quite sure who the hell it's actually been made for. From
first glance, one would be mad not to assume that it's a cartoonish
& colourful summertime piece aimed squarely at the the toddlers
(with Hoffman's borderline mentally retarded 'wacky' interpretation of
Magorium adding significant weight to such an argument) - but for mine
- it's the older crowd that's actually more likely to get something
from the film than the sugared up kiddies.
It's rather odd, as
the bulk of the story is concentrated squarely on Portman's
'20-Something at a Cross roads of Childhood & Adulthood' - which is
in no way relateable to the audience the film's advertising is clearly
aiming at.
Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium
tries to remind us that life can be fun, that the simplest things in
life (like jumping on a bed or popping bubble wrap) are often the best,
which will ultimately will leave the parents in the crowd with renewed
energy for life - but leaving the kids going "Yeah, we know that... we are kids... what's your point?".
In
fact, the youngest cast member who the toddlers in the cinema might
have actually related to (a lonely boy with no friends, a big
imagination - and an even bigger hat collection) is delegated to a
rather adult "voice of reason" supporting role. And for that reason, Emporium
almost inexplicably fails as a successful children's movie. Having said
that - adults and those entering the later part of their twenties will
simply adore it (whether they are willing to admit it in public or not)!
It's
full of all the energy and colour adults are forced to ignore due to
the growing weight of 'responsibility' - and for mine - Emporium
was a breath of fresh air, like a slap in the face to wake you up and
say "It's lunch time, stop writing that report and smell the roses!".
Portman
is amazingly cute as always, while Hoffman delivers a superb
performance (when he's not busy trying to sound like The Mad Hatter)
bringing great warmth and wisdom to the character of Magorium towards
the end of the film. Jason Bateman (best known as Michael Bluth on Arrested Development) continues his assault on US cinema after years of being known as 'That guy from Teen Wolf Too'
delivering plenty of laughs as the uptight accountant 'Mutant' - and
the young Zach Mills also brings some youthful fun with his take on
Eric Applebaum: The Hat Collector.
Writer/Director Zach Helm (who had a surprisingly fresh & enjoyable debut with Stranger Than Fiction) creates a fun design & style to proceedings which mixes the aforementioned Wonka and a dash of Lemony Snicketts, while still delivering enough originality to keep the film from falling flat.
Certain to find it's true audience on DVD, Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium
is an utter delight which is both magical and touching.
Don't be fooled by the kid-centric
marketing, this one will really resonate with the older crowd and the
young at heart. Movie making is about escapism - and if your looking
for an escape from that grey world outside your office window, there is
simply no better place to visit than Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium.
Let's see your sparkle! EXTRAS
The
flick did surprisingly well at the Aussie Box Office after it faltered
in the US. So it's good to see a bit of effort has been put in with the
Special Features.
There are a total of nine featurettes here,
ranging from 'Very Watchable' to 'Zzzzz'. It really comes down to what
rocks you're boat (whether it be behind the scenes fluff pieces or
technical whizz-bangery), but there is something for everyone here.
Trailers also included - but deep down - theres part of me that wanted a kids game on there as well.
Be sure to check this one out.
Conclusion:
Movie 80% Extras: 60%
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