I was skeptical about watching this movie, as although I really enjoy children's movies, this one LOOKED like it might be a bit too childish. But to my surprise, there is quite a story to it, for the young and old! Matt Weinberg is one of the most charming little actors I have ever seen! The movie, of course, consists of many magic tricks, which makes it very pleasant to watch. There is also familiar music, that is so entertaining! Give it chance, especially if you have to entertain the wee little ones :)

After a troubled performance, magician The Great Zamboni (Ben Kingsley) has retreated to his Spooky House with his pet jaguar Shadow. Mona (Katharine Isabelle) and her two idiot male minions are causing havoc and burns down his van. They steal a goat from a group of children. The kids track their goat to the Spooky House and they break into the house. Zamboni befriends Max who is scared to be sent to the orphanage.

It's a little kids movie. It does have the greatness that is Ben Kingsley and he's trying to give this light family entertainment real weight. Little kids would like watching these little kids exploring the magician's house and learning some magic tricks. This is really only for little kids and maybe not even for them. It's not fast paced enough or brightly colored enough. If it could spend more time with the little characters, it could make this more compelling. They should at least give them the chance although they don't seem to be good actors.

Mysterious reclusive magician the Great Zamboni (an excellent performance by Ben Kingsley) and his pet jaguar Shadow reside by themselves in the Spooky House, an old mansion that's rigged with magic tricks and hidden chambers. Young orphan Max (an appealing portrayal by Max Weinberg) attempts to befriend the gruff and unsociable Zamboni. When a trio of bullies who work for eccentric local crime queen Boss (robustly essayed with lip-smacking hammy relish by Mercedes Ruehl) chase Max and his friends into the Spooky House on Halloween, a night of hilarious magic and amazing illusions ensues. Director William Sachs, who also co-wrote the pleasant script with his wife Margaret, relates the entertaining at a brisk pace, maintains a winning good-natured tone throughout, offers plenty of amusingly goofy and inoffensive humor, and neatly evokes a playful ooga-booga Halloween atmosphere. However, it's the relationship that develops between Max and Zamboni that gives this film a tremendous amount of heart and warmth, thereby making it quite special and moving (the upbeat ending in particular is simply lovely). Jason Fuchs, Ronald Joshua Scott, Simon Baker, and Chaz Monet do solid and engaging work as Max's loyal friends. A pre-"Ginger Snaps" Katharine Isabelle has a ball as mean head bully Mona. The groovy soundtrack, Thomas Burstyn's sharp cinematography, and Gary Schyman's lively score are all up to par. A nice little movie.