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MR MAGORIUM'S WONDER EMPORIUM

Roadshow Home entertainment / 90 minutes / Regfion 4 / Released April 2008

Featuring Dustin Hoffman, Natalie Portman, Jason Bateman, Zach Mills

Even before the gorgeous opening title sequence is over its clear we are in for a very special treat with Mr Magorium's Wonder Emporium. We've all dreamed of running wild in the perfect toy store, well Mr Magorium (a rather lovely Dustin Hoffman) though actually owns it and has done for well over a hundred years. A more amazing shop you'd be lucky to find, every toy in the TARDIS like store, where a flick of a switch spins you round to a different department, seems to have a life of its own.

Mahoney (the always cute Natalie Portman) is his somewhat reluctant manager, she feels she is stuck in a rut and hasn't developed her potential (or her ambitions) to be a concert pianist. All is going swimmingly until the day Mr Magorium (who is nearly 240 years old) announces that he is "leaving the world" and gives the store to Mahoney - the store and the toys are upset and turn in on themselves and the very magic of the toys begins to dissolve.

Mahoney has to face up to her new and not altogether welcome responsibilities but to make things right it seems she may just have to team up with unbelieving accountant Henry aka The Mutant (Jason Bateman) and the stores number one fan, young Eric Applebaum.

A truly wonderful and magical experience that really does appeal to all ages. There are lots of beautiful touches, such as the piano on the soundtrack every time Mahoney is working out a song in her head, the words of wisdom from 9 year Eric, the brilliance that is Dustin Hoffman, the neat little touches of the toys having minds of their own - such as the nervous slinky! And there is even a cameo from Kermit the Frog.

This is surely what the magic of the movies is all about. A truly wonderful experience which without getting too deep and meaningful actually restores your faith in human kind a little.

Lots of extras come in the shape of four featurettes going behind the scenes of the movie, a look at the relationship between Mahoney and Mr Magorium; A glimpse into the world of young Eric Applebaum (Zach Mills who played Eric was excellent and is definitely a major talent). We Also get a glimpse at the wondrousness of the toy store and how much fun was had on set. The theatrical trailer is also included.

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