Review: Pom Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold

Reviews

Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium

Meet Super Creep

By MARK BAZER | November 14, 2007

1.5 Stars

VIDEO: Watch the trailer for Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium.

Willy Wonka was supposed to creep kids out, right? The title character of Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium, played with dull eccentricity by Dustin Hoffman, will likely have the same effect, though that probably wasn’t writer/director Zach Helm’s intent. Magorium, a centuries-old toy inventor/toy-store owner, is one of those characters who would be committed were he not in a G-rated film. That’s the opinion of an adult, however, and this is a movie based on the notion that anyone over 12 just doesn’t get it. Instead of heading to an asylum, Magorium decides to die — and leave the store to his sweet assistant, Molly Mahoney (Natalie Portman). So the Emporium, as much a living organism as it is a store, throws a tantrum. Helm has his inspired moments (Mattel product placement notwithstanding), and it’s nice to see a kids’ film not created by committee. Still, this one’s a lot to sit through. With Jason Bateman as Henry, the Mutant. 93 minutes | Boston Common + Fenway + Fresh Pond + Circle/Chestnut Hill + Suburbs

Related: Smoking Popes, In living color, Love and friendship (Rhode Island-style), More

Topics: Reviews , Dustin Hoffman, Natalie Portman, Jason Bateman, More

| More

ARTICLES BY MARK BAZER

REVIEW: EXTRACT | September 02, 2009
I'm hard-pressed to say, though, whether Extract is a significant leap forward for Judge in terms of story or just not as funny as his earlier work.

SOUL MEN | November 05, 2008
Mac especially is a joy to watch, and a counterpoint to the humor elsewhere, as he breaks out Temptations-style moves with just the right mix of sly fun and respect for the music.

FILTH AND WISDOM | October 27, 2008
As the lead character narrates his “filthy” story, and those of his London flatmates/neighbors, we hit upon boredom long before wisdom can arrive.

CITY OF EMBER | October 15, 2008
Kids who see the truth when adults cannot is a central idea in children’s stories, but today’s kids would hardly recognize the grown-ups in Ember’s totalitarian society.