Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium is as blissfully cheery and tirelessly optimistic as the title would suggest. It is a light fantasy firmly targeted at the younger set, and perhaps at those who are just young at heart.

This marks Zach Helm's first foray away from the keyboard and into the director's chair, taking up the reins of his own script. Last year he made a splash with his fantastic script for Marc Forster's Stranger Than Fiction, which put Helm's imagination on display and made one wonder just what he could come up with next. However, despite his considerable ability, and as delightfully smile-inducing as Magorium is, the Emporium's doors never completely open to the possibilities. When the film ended and the lights came up I was left liking what I saw, but wondering just where the focus had been. Yes, there was a single overriding thread, but there were enough frayed ends left over that it felt unfinished and left me unfulfilled.

Dustin Hoffman stars as the title character, curator of the most curious of toy shops. It is no Kay-Bee or Toys 'R Us, oh no. The Wonder Emporium is filled front to back and top to bottom with toys that move as if they have lives of their own. These curiosities are not arranged in sterile, narrow rows; rather there is a flow that encourages children to play with the toys and use their imaginations. Moving with the endless curiosity of a child, Mr. Magorium makes his way around the fixtures, taking the time to listen to the kids and play with his creations; however, his is not the story of central importance.

The primary thread belongs to Natalie Portman's Molly Mahoney, who manages the store's day-to-day operations. That's something the 243-year-old Magorium could never do; his life is one of curiosity and creative inspiration, not cash transactions and inventories. However, as glorious as working in this shop would seem, it does not quite have the magical upside that Mahoney (who is only referred to by her last name) is looking for. You see, Mahoney was a piano prodigy at a young age, whose potential was never realized. She struggles with writing her music, and feels trapped in a dead-end position at the store. She lacks the necessary confidence to move to the next level, despite her obvious skills. Funny, reminds me of someone else I know... But I digress.

As the movie starts, Mr. Magorium has a surprise for Mahoney. It starts with his cheerful optimism about the wonders the next stage of his life will bring. His death is approaching, and his final wish is to turn over the stores's ownership to young Mahoney. However, Mahoney's lack of confidence will not allow her to take the big step.