Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium is the strangest, most fantastic, most wonderful toy store in the world. In fact, it's a magic toy store and everything in it comes to life - including the store itself. The Emporium only asks one thing of its customers; you must believe it to see it.
This movie was essentially supposed to be Willy Wonka in a toy store instead of a chocolate factory. The big problem with that is that Dustin Hoffman was no Gene Wilder or even Johnny Depp in the remake of Chocolate Factory. From an adult standpoint, Hoffman as Magorium might go down in history as one of the most annoying movie characters ever. I honestly wanted to throw soda at the screen at certain points because his heinous overacting and how annoying his big bushy eyebrows and crazy hair was. This movie also managed to completely squander the acting talent of Natalie Portman (worst laugh ever in this movie as pointed out by Wonder Woman) and Jason Bateman. All of that being said - this is a kids movie and for whatever reason the future steppies enjoyed this movie. Therefore, this movie falls under that dreaded category of movies that the kids will love while the parents wish for pencils to stab themselves in the eyes and ears with.
I wouldn't recommend this movie to anyone not willing to bite the bullet for their kids. Be warned, people! It's a pretty big bullet. Make sure that your children know the sacrifice that your optic nerves are making for them!
