Many years ago, before the long hours of the workaday world and the harsh realities of life began closing in, there was one place which could inspire awe and ignite the imagination: the toy store. And within this specialized world, we are now able to designate a monarch, a jester, and an element of spiritualism. Sadly, there is also a military domain which includes the final film role of Phil Hartman, popular comedian.

If there were a toy oligarchy, one would be hard pressed to find a more suitable ruler than the Toy Story series. From the first film, which launched Pixar’s empire and set the standard for all computer animated films to come, to its arguably superior sequel, this series captured a slice of every child’s imagination. In showing what goes on in the toy world when the kids aren’t around, the films revealed what every child had at one time suspected but could never prove: Toys need us as much as we need them.

On the oposite end of the spectrum, if Buzz and Woody are the monarchs of toy films, then the court jester would certainly have to be Chucky. The star of the seemingly ceaseless Child’s Play films, Chucky is a doll possessed by the spirit of a mass murderer. A far cry certainly from the messages of friendship and acceptance espoused by Pixar’s creation. Where Toy Story captured the innocence of youth, Chucky exploits the fears that haunt childhood nightmares.

The military of this toy kingdom could only consist of the characters from one film. Small Soldiers is a story about the wrong-headedness of crossing government military technology with children’s playthings. While certainly a lucrative sounding idea, the experiment ends with predictable results as the newly animated toys take sides against each other in an attempt to establish dominance. This film has since become less known for battling toys than as the last opportunity to see Phil Hartman in his small role as Phil Fimple.

And of course, what would a kingdom be without a little touch of the spirit. In The Indian in the Cupboard, playthings come to life in the cupboard. The title character is the first to undergo the transformation after being placed behind the closed door by his owner, Omri. With the turn of the key, Little Bear emerges, brought to life. As he comes to realize that Omri is not a god, Omri comes to regard Little Bear as more than just a plaything, the two form a bond of friendship.

Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium is just the latest in this line of films in which toys take on a life of their own. It reflects a simpler time when a bag of toy soldiers or an ordinary rag doll could captivate and entertain for hours. In the film, Mr. Magorium (Dustin Hoffman) decides to turn his charming store over to his young manager Molly (Natalie Portman). The toys and the store undergo a disturbing change and the magic begins to fade.

Where the Emporium fits into this world of toys and imagination has yet to be determined. Within a few days, audiences will know if Molly and her crew will take a seat next to Woody and Buzz or be relegated to keeping Chucky and offspring company. By Friday, November 16, the film’s release date, all speculations will be settled.