Kangatopia

It occurred to me today that I didn’t bother to write a review of Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium. The problem I have with recapping a movie I’ve seen with my kids is that I never actually pay a lot of attention to the movie. More often, I am concerned with making sure the kids aren’t making a lot of undue noise or otherwise drawing attention to themselves. In this case, however, I was feeding my kids candy we bought at 7-11 beforehand and trying very hard to not be seen by the man who sold us the tickets. I’m pretty sure he was the owner, or at least manager of the place, and I really didn’t want to offend him – or worse, get in trouble with him.

The movie was fine. It wasn’t great. The characters, including the character of the toy store itself, were charming and yes, well, magical. Natalie Portman’s laugh could even be called a character in this film. Her laugh was brilliant, as I’m sure you know if you’ve seen the trailer which features it. It’s a wonderful movie to show a child who has just experienced the death of someone they love. I took Bear to see The Polar Express just after my mother died, and that is also a fine movie for a child who has brushed up against death. Of course, at that time any movie that dealt at all with the wonder and magic of life, and belief in something ineffable, would have struck me as important and good for grieving parents and children, or anyone for that matter.

This is a movie that is utterly predictable, but also beautiful. Take a child to see it, and I’m certain that if you can watch it as a child who is full of optimism and hope that life is wonderous and disappointment is a byproduct to be quickly set aside, then you and your young companion will have a lovely time.