Walden Media’s latest project, Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium, the “G” rated family film about a magical toy store, is a wonder, indeed. Among other wonders, it has left me wondering what to say about it. I should begin by reporting that my 10-year-old daughter and I enjoyed it very much. My five-year-old Boy Wonder enjoyed most of it, but sobbed for the last 15 or 20 minutes. What I think I like best about this film is that the more I thought about it I realized that it is more than simply the brightly colored, fun-fest it appears to be.

Dustin Hoffman’s Mr. Magorium is a 243-year-old man imbued with magic, an endless sense of wonder (get used to it, that word will appear again and again, because, really, it’s what the film is all about), a deep love of humankind and a mind as expansive as space and as bright as the stars that fill it. His toy store thrives on the power of wonder and joy with which it is filled. Wonder and joy provided by Mr. Magorium, Molly Mahoney (Natalie Portman), the store manager, and the customers, primarily children, who flock there to play.

Now, there may be people who feel that a story about the life-giving power of optimism and wonder is insipid, tired, you chose the negative adjective indicating “a waste of time” which you prefer, but I am not one of those people. I am one of those silly believers in the power of hope and love, and applaud a film, especially one aimed at children and families, that encourage belief in their power and importance.

Another reason I really liked this film is precisely the reason Boy Wonder did not. Mr. Magorium, and I am not giving anything away here, has decided that after 243 years, his time has come to move on, and he gives the store to Mahoney. When she is unclear about what he means by “moving on," Mr. Magorium tells Mahoney he plans to die, and discussed death with her not as something to regret or fear, but a natural progression in the adventure of life. I find this attitude to be not only refreshing and healthy but also, because death is increasingly treated as something to be prevented and postponed at all costs, uplifting. However, despite Mr. Magorium’s acceptance of this inevitable part of life, neither Mahoney, the Wonder Emporium, nor my son were quite so willing to see him go. All three went into deep mourning, and while Mahoney and the shop recover before the movie’s end, Boy Wonder was still sobbing when we left the theater.

So, I definitely recommend Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium as a delightful, fun, family film, although it may be a good idea to bring tissues, just in case. It unequivocally deserves its “G” rating (and that alone may appeal to some); it is funny, visually delightful, and well cast (I especially enjoyed Jason Bateman’s straight man, Henry the Mutant/Accountant). I appreciated the upbeat, hopeful nature of this film and think that, especially as we head toward Thanksgiving and the holidays, it may be just the ticket to a wonder-filled mood.