This is not a movie for those who expect the world to be complex and sensible. With a title that rhymes like that, what would you expect beside the magical sweetness that just happens to be accepted by the world? I was quickly drawn in by this storybook world where the bizarre and quirky is just a way of life and no one thinks much more of it. Throw in a beautiful message of finding yourself, and I was pleasantly engrossed in this heartfelt tale.
Mr. Magorium is a very old inventor (several centuries) who has not only helped a few famous souls out there but has managed to create a magical toy store. However, he feels it is time to pass from this world. It seems to be pretty much his decision and he seems perfectly fine with it, and I found that to be an interesting look at death.
However, the store's manager Molly is a young woman who still hasn't quite figured out her place in the world. It's pretty shocking to her to learn that her beloved boss plans to die and leave her in charge when she has no idea who she is and only has a hat-collecting boy with no friends his own age and a workaholic accountant as her only companions.
Mr. Magorium is positive she'll do fine, with a little encouragement, and thus pours out a sweet story about finding the best in yourself.
It wasn't what I expected, and that's not a bad thing, especially when I realized the plot was deeper than a toy store romp.
I don't think the characters other than Mr. Magorium were as realized as they could have been, but they were still a far cry from two-dimensional bimbos and it did leave room for some proper growth.
Overall, I was pleasantly surprised at the story's charming simplicity and message. Nothing wildly exceptional, but it held its own in the way of family movies.
Mr. Magorium is a very old inventor (several centuries) who has not only helped a few famous souls out there but has managed to create a magical toy store. However, he feels it is time to pass from this world. It seems to be pretty much his decision and he seems perfectly fine with it, and I found that to be an interesting look at death.
However, the store's manager Molly is a young woman who still hasn't quite figured out her place in the world. It's pretty shocking to her to learn that her beloved boss plans to die and leave her in charge when she has no idea who she is and only has a hat-collecting boy with no friends his own age and a workaholic accountant as her only companions.
Mr. Magorium is positive she'll do fine, with a little encouragement, and thus pours out a sweet story about finding the best in yourself.
It wasn't what I expected, and that's not a bad thing, especially when I realized the plot was deeper than a toy store romp.
I don't think the characters other than Mr. Magorium were as realized as they could have been, but they were still a far cry from two-dimensional bimbos and it did leave room for some proper growth.
Overall, I was pleasantly surprised at the story's charming simplicity and message. Nothing wildly exceptional, but it held its own in the way of family movies.