Stardust

PLOT: A young man named tries to win the heart of a beautiful woman by going on a quest to retrieve a fallen star. However, he is not the only one seeking the star, and must fight off evil princes and witches to win the heart of the star for himself.
RATED: PG-13 for some fantasy violence and risqué humour.
RUNNING TIME: 128 MINUTES
STARS: Michelle Pfeiffer (Lamia), Claire Danes (Yvaine), Robert De Niro (Captain Shakespeare), Charlie Cox (Tristan), Sienna Miller (Victoria), Ricky Gervais (Ferdy the Fence), Rupert Everett (Secondus), Peter O’Toole (King).

Gord Burt 4 Stars

Stardust offers that elusive quality summer movies are supposed to possess but rarely do, total escape. It pretty much has everything you would expect from a fairly tale: an ordinary boy’s quest to prove his love, a magical kingdom, evil witches, murderous princes, unicorns, sword fights, flying pirates and a fallen star.

Stardust is an adaptation of the acclaimed graphic novel by Neil Gaiman and Charles Vess that follows in the spirit of The Princess Bride, gently spoofing the rules of enchantment while simultaneously embracing them.

The movie covers two worlds, the town of Wall in Victorian England, where young Tristan resides, and the magical kingdom of Stormhold. Separating the two is a stone wall, guarded by an old man.

In the kingdom of Stormhold, the king lays dying with his power-hungry sons (three living of seven) eager to kill each other off to win the throne. Death means little in a fairy tale as the dead princes live on as ghosts appearing in black-and-white, and are a hilarious Greek chorus, providing play-by-play on the homicidal antics of their surviving brothers.

The movie really comes alive when Robert De Niro and his crew fly onto the scene with De Niro starring as a rather flamboyant ship’s captain. This can only be described as a fearless move on his part. Ian McKellen’s narration establishes the storybook tone, and amusing cameos by David Kelly, Rupert Everett and Ricky Gervais help keep the movie’s tongue planted firmly in cheek.

The show really belongs to Michelle Pfeiffer, however. Her portrayal of Lamia the evil witch is a perfect showcase for her stunning beauty and wicked sense of humor. The actress manages to be funny and yet terrifying regardless of what state of decrepitude she’s in, especially when her centuries-old visage begins showing its years (looking uncomfortably like Peter O’Toole).

There is a sense of wonder and awe in every frame of Stardust, and it represents in and of itself several of the reasons we go to the movies: to laugh, to be amazed, and to have fun. Stardust contains a little something for everyone, but above all else it has a timeless story, some fun effects, and just the kind of “happily ever after” ending that the genre always promises.

Erin Harde 4 Stars

While fantasy movies of late have conscientiously had a broad appeal to young and mature audiences, one gets the impression Stardust was made specifically with adults in mind. Rather than a kid’s movie that adults can tolerate, this piece of movie magic is for the big kids, though not without fringe benefits for children.

This fairy tale plays on more contemporary themes, from the main character who is born of a scandalous market tryst between his father and a witch’s slave girl to Robert De Niro’s eyebrow-raising performance as a cross-dressing pirate. It even has a few gruesome bits as the monarchy’s seven princes find creative ways to kill each other so they can claim the throne. The brothers are priceless as they die, instantly reappear as ghosts and hilariously heckle whatever and whoever is before them, much like Statler and Waldorf from The Muppet Show.

While Stardust is busy as it brings together several characters and a few sub-plots, the storytelling keeps the film uncluttered and focused. It’s clear when a plot device is there simply for comic relief or to advance the tale.

The nature of Stardust is common enough - an idealistic young man pursues a beautiful girl, and must prove his love by going on an adventure and fetching a token of his love. The interesting part here is that the token is a star, not just a clump of space rock, but an actual woman. Claire Danes is radiant as the celestial souvenir. Back to the screen after some time off, Danes makes a welcome return to acting.

At first ornery from being knocked out of the sky, she begins to glow as she falls in love with Tristan. She literally lights up as he abandons his crush on Victoria and begins to take notice of Yvaine; it’s impossible not to cheer for this couple as they try to avoid witches and murderous princes, all hunting for the star’s heart, which promises eternal life.

Michelle Pfeiffer is deliciously evil as the head witch. Lusting after her own youth, she mercilessly seeks out the star, crushing everyone who gets in her way. She is a delight, but only one of many in this modern fairytale that promises to wake up the imagination.