Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium

Wonder Emporium is infact wonderful
This review is off the Mark of normal Story Blazer reviews, because it was written by an un-normal Storyblazer. Normal Me. Before the creation of Normal StoryBlazers, was just Me. Normal Me. But I’m part of this Storyblazing business, just like these guys.

Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium is one of those films that reaches into the inner child and pulls them out. It pulls out the child-like child and not the childish child. The Child-like child is the type of person we are to be like if we are to enter the kingdom of heaven. The Child-like person is one that trusts in the goodness of God’s world and finds wonder and joy in living. The Childish person seeks his own selfish desires and pouts and whines when he doesn’t get his way.
- Fr. Ignatius Xavier

MMWE is a magical imaginative movie that has enough magic and fun to entertain both any kid from 1-92 or elves from 1000 to 3004. The movie seemed a little short on the wonder and could have had more. There were moments in ‘Toys’, with Robin Williams which seemed a tad bit more wonderful, but only in aspects and not in the whole picture. But were not talking about Toys or Toy Story are we. There is a movie full of wonder. There are parts of my trip to the supermarket that were more wonderful as I ran into a bunch of fairies trying to free the lobsters from the lobster tank while some dudes were chasing a Donkey throughout the store. Sorry, that last one happen in the movie Gus. I got that mixed up. – Banyai the Elf.

The theme of death makes this more than a typical kids movie. Death is a theme that is not talked about a lot in family films but is an important one that should be discussed. Knowing this before venturing into the Emporium is probably helpful information to those parents who think this is just a fun time at the toy store.- Fr. Ignatius Xavier

A few good booya's out of several Booya's- Banyai the Elf

I like to hear what others have to say about films, which is why I included the thoughts of other Storyblazers. Here are my thoughts.

The theme of believing in one’s self is an important theme in the picture as if one has doubts in one’s own ability, one can not usually accomplish much. But of course Hitler believed in himself, so believing in oneself has conditions. It always needs to be grounded in love and goodness and trust in the abilities that God has given one to do. Mr. Magorium entrusts his magic toy store to His assistant Mahoney played by Padame.

Jason Bateman plays the uptight attorney who crosses over from skeptic to faithful believer. He plays the same type of role in Hancock as a matter of fact. The relationship between the two almost ventures into romantic territory but doesn’t quite get there. Dustin Hoffman is delightful as Mr. Magorium as he is in all most all his films. I also liked the narration and pacing of the film. Nice little cameo by Kermit the Frog Also.

I recommend this film to all who want to escape to a place of wonder. ‘Willy Wonka’ and ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ is more of an ideal place for wonder and ‘Bridge to Terribetha’, deals better with the issue of Death overall, but MMWE is a nice little film that will make you smile and help to remind us of the wonder of living and to trust in the abilities that have been given to us by the Ultimate Gift Giver. –Normal Me Overall Grade B +/A-