http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/11/20/MR.-MAGORIUMS-WONDER-EMPORIUM-Charming-Fun-For-The-Family.aspx Family films are pretty tough to pull off. You’ve got to make sure kids can take the tone and content, but address matters in such a way that adults don’t get bored or go into insulin shock. Lots of studios try it, but only one consistently gets it right: Pixar. Other studios have done it, as there are a handful of truly family films out there (THE IRON GIANT and MILLIONS come right to mind), but it’s risky to do. Some filmmakers, however, like risk. Zach Helm, the guy that wrote STRANGER THAN FICTION, apparently is one, as his latest release, MR. MAGORIUM’S WONDER EMPORIUM, falls into that family category. Fortunately for Mr. Helm, it’s pretty much a success, despite the treacly leanings of Walden Media, the production company behind the Emporium. Edward Magorium (Dustin Hoffman) is a 243-year-old toy inventor, whose genius in creating toys and magic is exceeded only by his whimsical joy in life. He owns an honest-to-goodness magical shop, run by a spunky musical prodigy named Molly Mahoney (Natalie Portman) and assisted in all things magical by a lonely but cheerful nine-year-old named Eric (Zach Mills). While Eric’s tickled pink to be in the Emporium every waking minute, Mahoney’s true desire in life is to finish writing a concerto, but she feels stuck in life, in music and in art. Unbeknownst to her, Magorium has decided his life is up, and wants to leave her the store when he’s gone. To that end, Magorium hires an accountant named Henry (Jason Bateman) to come and do an appraisal of the place. The store, however, is not amused by Magorium’s decision, and promptly begins to sulk. en-US Critics Rant info@criticsrant.com Subtext Version 1.9.4.0 http://www.criticsrant.com/images/default_gravatar_bullhorn.png http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/11/20/MR.-MAGORIUMS-WONDER-EMPORIUM-Charming-Fun-For-The-Family.aspx 77 60 http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/11/20/MR.-MAGORIUMS-WONDER-EMPORIUM-Charming-Fun-For-The-Family.aspx#2266 this looks like a really cute movie:) tinkluvspan http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/11/20/MR.-MAGORIUMS-WONDER-EMPORIUM-Charming-Fun-For-The-Family.aspx#2266 Tue, 20 Nov 2007 12:50:41 GMT http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/11/20/MR.-MAGORIUMS-WONDER-EMPORIUM-Charming-Fun-For-The-Family.aspx#2267 awww how adorable. i dont watch adorable. lol brokun1 http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/11/20/MR.-MAGORIUMS-WONDER-EMPORIUM-Charming-Fun-For-The-Family.aspx#2267 Tue, 20 Nov 2007 13:14:45 GMT http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/11/20/MR.-MAGORIUMS-WONDER-EMPORIUM-Charming-Fun-For-The-Family.aspx#2268 not givin me credit for ranting now. awwwww brokun1 http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/11/20/MR.-MAGORIUMS-WONDER-EMPORIUM-Charming-Fun-For-The-Family.aspx#2268 Tue, 20 Nov 2007 18:57:00 GMT http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/11/20/MR.-MAGORIUMS-WONDER-EMPORIUM-Charming-Fun-For-The-Family.aspx#2309 a good movie with great actors WAVELYN http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/11/20/MR.-MAGORIUMS-WONDER-EMPORIUM-Charming-Fun-For-The-Family.aspx#2309 Fri, 30 Nov 2007 16:36:57 GMT http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/11/20/MR.-MAGORIUMS-WONDER-EMPORIUM-Charming-Fun-For-The-Family.aspx#2997 three words: gay Gay GAY darkrose http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/11/20/MR.-MAGORIUMS-WONDER-EMPORIUM-Charming-Fun-For-The-Family.aspx#2997 Thu, 14 Feb 2008 15:13:22 GMT