Toys chase after the customers, book pages become jumbled, the balls loose their bounce – just all sorts of mayhem. The theory is that the store has taken on the characteristics of its main customers, children, and is therefore sulking. It’s a little scary. And when Mr. Magorium actually does depart, the shop takes on a flat, grey, almost one-dimensional affect. The place looks sick and depressed, mainly because it is sick and depressed. This may be unsettling for some younger viewers.

But there are some delightful and touching moments as well. We see a most endearing sock-puppet monkey reaching out for the closest nearby customer and falls just short of being noticed. The little fellow does not change his expression, but shows discouragement by his posture. It’s a bit that makes you say “Aww…” without being heavy-handed.

Another scene reveals the softening of Henry, and the bravery of the somewhat shy Eric. Taking his mom’s “just say ‘Hi’” pep-talk to heart, Eric begins a conversation with Henry through an office window – each holding up their messages to the glass. To the accompaniment of Cat Stevens’ “Don’t be Shy,” this scene without words is quite powerful. These are some of Zach Helm’s best offerings in the movie. With restraint, he defines certain feelings and emotions well.

Other parts are not so well restrained. Although Dustin Hoffman’s portrayal of Edward Magorium is meant to come across as all kinds of goofy and silly sweetness – it does grate. Also, he employed an annoying lisp. To his credit, Hoffman was best in the role when he let his eyes and facial expressions do the work.

There were other contrivances as well, especially when Mahoney tried to provide Magorium with a very special “last day”, or as she hoped, a way to show him all the wonderful reasons for not leaving. Although the intent was to convey the deep affection that Magorium and Mahoney shared, it was by virtue of Hoffman and Portman’s acting, not through the crazy antics that the script forced them to carry out.

Writer and director Zack Helm has shown he has some real talent and Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium is an appetizing offering. But when you mix the whole lot together, you get a confection that looks delightful, tastes scrumptious, but leaves you a little less than satisfied.

Bonus Features

• Strangely Weird and Weirdly Strange: The Magical World of a Wonder Emporium Featurette – including:

Zach Helm segment
Sock Monkey segment
Mortimer the Zebra segment
Lincoln Man segment

• An Eccentric Boss and an Awkward Apprentice Featurette
• To Meet Eric Applebaum, Start By Saying Hi Featurette
• The Magical Toy Store Featurette

Available in both wide screen and full screen versions with English 5.1 Dolby Digital, as well as Spanish 5.1/French 5.1 Dolby Surround with Spanish, line 21 and SDH subtitles.