MR. MAGORIUM’S WONDER EMPORIUM
RYAN: I’m feeling an incredible rush right now having just walked out of “Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium.” Just saying the title is fun.
CAROLINE: It rhymes; I’ll give you that. But as you can imagine, I didn’t love this movie.
RYAN: Did you like it even a little?
CAROLINE: Yeah, sort of. It’s cute. It’s a G-rated film starring Dustin Hoffman, Natalie Portman and one of my favorite cuties, Jason Bateman.
RYAN: Was it overall a better movie-going experience for you than “Bee Movie”?
CAROLINE: Yes, because this one is live action. And I think I can speak for both of when I say that I’m never a huge Natalie Portman fan; but she’s decent in this.
RYAN: She’s fine, but she overacts a little bit. She’s just never as believable or natural as she should be, especially in the Star Wars films.
CAROLINE: Oh my God, she’s like a brick in those movies…not that I’ve ever seen any of them. Did you buy Dustin Hoffman as the fantastical toyshop owner?
RYAN: Totally! He really creates a character in this movie; Mr. Magorium has a really distinct voice and a special walk…
CAROLINE: …not to mention a speech impediment. Jason Bateman plays the uptight accountant, and I just can’t get enough of him. There’s also a little boy, Zach Mills, who I liked but didn’t love.
RYAN: I thought he was quirky cute, and his voice over is phenomenal. I kind of related to him as the outcast child who didn’t have any friends, hearkening back to the days of mine own youth. He’s not adorable though.
CAROLINE: He has sticky-outy ears. I didn’t hate him, but I didn’t fall in love with him either, nor did I fall in love with this movie in general. It has some magical elements but it never swept me away totally. But I’m not a child so that makes sense. Bottom line?
RYAN: It definitely doesn’t have the same magic as “Stardust” or “Enchanted” had, but I did really love this movie and might even put it in my Top 10 for the year. The music is absolutely brilliant; I will be buying the CD. The colors are great, it’s short and sweet and it’s got some great life lessons.
CAROLINE: There’s some good morality for kids in it, yes.
RYAN: It’s a magical film, and very well directed. It’s short enough that even if you don’t love it, you’ll still be entertained.
CAROLINE: I sure didn’t love it, but I did love the stuffed monkey who pines for Jason Bateman. It’s a cute movie and I’m sure the kids will enjoy it, but I would recommend this film to you only if you’re under 12.
RYAN: The special effects are really good too. But watch out for Natalie’s strange conducting dance at the end.
CAROLINE: Seriously. That was just bizarre.