Parents need to know that this sweet, family-friendly fantasy is brimming with product placement, though most of it's in context (you can't really make a movie about a magic toy store without toys...). Plus, the positive messages about friendship, trust, finding your potential, and believing in yourself overshadow most of the branding. There isn't any violence, but the store does throw a temper tantrum that sends toys flying after patrons (the red walls also fade to gray, and the toys lose their spark and color). A significant death, while presented in an idealized way to fit in with the tone of the film, is handled gently and poignantly; there are some sad scenes, but it's peaceful overall (though really young kids may need further explanation of how death really works). A young boy is looked at as a loner and has trouble making friends with other kids.
Positive messages:Strong positive messages about believing in yourself and others, as well as working together and staying open to the possibility of "magic" in everyday life. A significant death is handled gently; there's some sadness, but overall the characters learn from it and become stronger.
Violence & scariness:In one chaotic scene, the store throws a temper tantrum -- toys are tossed from shelves, others fall or explode, some attack store patrons (one child is tied up, a woman ends up with a squid on her head, a dragon breathes fire, etc.). So there's some mild peril for a few moments, but nothing serious. Some bickering between characters.
Language:One use of "crap" and a few mild insults -- "insufferable fool," "ninny," etc. Henry is affectionately called "Mutant." Mr. Magorium uses a lot of big words, which many kids may not understand (of course, given how fast he talks, they may not really notice them, either).
Consumerism:The Wonder Emporium is brimming with toys of every size, shape, and color, and many are recognizable brands: Curious George, Easy Bake, Playmobil, Legos, Silly Putty, Lincoln Logs, Matchbox, Hot Wheels, Ugly Doll, Slinky, and more. Expect lots of retail tie-ins.
This movie looked better in the previews. It was cute and sweet and had some cool magical effects with the toys and the toy shop which were fun to watch and I know my 5 yr olds enjoyed. The movie had too much of an adult theme - the toy shop owner dying, an accountant coming in to do the books, the owner leaving the shop to Natalie Portman's character - all of it was a little too much dialog for kids and I think those parts were boring for them. More magic, less talk = would have been a better movie. They did like it but didn't love it. The death scene was done beautifully and appropriately for a G movie.
What could have been a wonderfully delightful movie really fell flat and had my kids asking me "Is that it? Is there any more to it?" There were a couple of interesting scenes, but for the most part they were like an oasis in the desert. If they would have developed the storyline or plot better it wouldn't have been such a flat movie. Nothing objectionable at all - just a movie my kids never wanted to watch even a second time.
This was a fun, sweet movie. The magically store will really attract your kid's attention. The store expresses it's sadness as Mr. Magorium plans to 'depart', so be prepared to discuss death with your child. The subject is handled very well, however. I also liked the relationship between the adult and child who both needed friends in their lives.
Fantastic movie that any one no matter what age can watch. SPOILER: kids learn how to deal with the death of a person who was close to them when Mr. Mogorium dies. Positive messages make up the movie, and all the employees of the emporiom are good role models.
This movie is REALLY GOOD. I saw it for a friends birthday when I was 7, and-4 years later- I still love it. The ending is kind of sad, but good all the same. It's really funny and good for most kids. Really though, this NEVER gets old.
I CANNOT believe what everybody says!! This is a GREAT movie, and I think it should be for ages 0+ up! This deserves a 5 star rating! I don't think it's THAT sad when "he dies". It's just "he dies". Nothing more than that! I admit I got tears in my eyes.
The actors were TERRIFFIC! Dustin Hoffman, Natalie Portman, Zach Mills, and all the others!!! It was wonderfully put together. I LOVED IT!!!!!!
It was entertaining and the subject of transitioning from death to another world wasn't heavy or overdone. We liked the way to story played out, I think in time it will stand out as an unique and exceptional film despite what most childless cynics say over at Rotten Tomatoes. Worth the rental.
I thought this movie was cute,colorful,and entertaining. The only bad language is the word crap, and Mr.Magorium says he's leaving, you dont see him die, but he says his goodbyes, and then a funerul is shown.
I thought it was a good movie but but both my eight year old son and six year old nephew both liked it but said it was a little sad. There are some funny parts in the movie but I think it was a little too mature for really young kids.
Innapropriate for Kids dealing with death in their lives...
I let my 6 and 12 year olds watch this movie (without doing the research) by themselves. I read the back and checked out the G rating and thought "Oh, this is fine". The back of the box says that the boss is going to retire, not DIE. My children lost their grandfather and are dealing with death and what it really means. My son is all of the sudden (I thought) freaking out again about my death and thinking that I am going to die and leave him. I just watched the movie and now I know why he is again freaked out. Had I had known that Mr. Magorium was slated to die and not just retire, I never would have allowed him to watch the movie. My daughter yes, that I why I suggest that this movie is for older kids and not those who are dealing with a real death in their lives. It's not sweet and trancendant...it's death and has thrown my family back to having to reassure my son that if Nana picks him up at daycare it's because Mom is working and not because she is dead.