Like the toy store that provides the film with its title, "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium," which starts out so light-hearted, also gets a little serious at that point. Fortunately, that stumble is only momentary.
On whole, the film has just enough charm to win over at least a few in the audience, even if it's not quite as wondrous as its title might have you believe.
Much of the movie's modest appeal has to do with its cast. Natalie Portman stars as Molly Mahoney, a former child prodigy who now works for Edward Magorium (Dustin Hoffman, sporting bushy hair and eyebrows).
Molly has recently learned that her beloved boss is "departing," whatever that means, and that he plans to leave his store to her. Needless to say, she's not happy about this.
He's also hired a no-nonsense accountant, Henry Weston (Jason Bateman), to appraise the store's worth, which has also rankled Molly.
However, to her surprise, as well as that of nearly everyone else, Henry has struck up an odd friendship with Eric Applebaum (Zach Mills, who also narrates). He's an eccentric 9-year-old who's in the store so frequently that he's become an employee.
In a few respects, screenwriter/director Zack Helm's tale may remind a few viewers of "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory," only minus all the candy.
Where that film (and its Roald Dahl source material) got a bit obsessive about dark mischief, this one has a sweeter, cuddlier side, though it's not as cloying as you might think.
Hoffman is amusingly goofy as the mysterious Magorium, who claims to be nearly 250 years old. He also says he inspired Thomas Edison to create the light bulb.
The on-screen friendship between Hoffman and Portman is believable, as is that between Bateman and relative newcomer Mills.
Best of all, "Wonder Emporium" features what may be the most surprising, delightful cameo appearance in a film all year.
"Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium" is rated G, though it does contain some slapstick violence of the pratfall variety, one mildly vulgar toilet gag and one brief drug reference (a sedative). Running time: 94 minutes.
E-MAIL: jeff@desnews.com