Stardust - An Engaging Adult Fairytale
Stardust A-
Starring: Claire Daines, Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Charlie Cox
Directed by Matthew Vaughn (Layer Cake)
Rated PG-13 for some fantasy violence and risque humor
Appropriate for ages 13+
The Story: This adult fairy tale by author Neil Gaiman follows a young man named Tristan (Cox) that tries to win the heart of the girl of his limited dreams by hunting down a fallen star. The star, however has transformed into a beautiful girl named Yvaine (Daines). Tristan finds the star only to discover that an evil witch (Pfeiffer) and a bloodthirsty prince are also close on her heals.
The Good: This film excels in the arena of creativity and storytelling. While it follows the typical fairy tale pathway, the details of the journey are unexpected. I will warn that the tale has a dark side, but no darker than those told by the Brothers Grimm. And the story is not only magical, but very funny as well. De Niro's turn as a cross-dressing pirate, for example, steals every scene he appears in. Even the ghosts of the prince's dead brothers add a dark element of comedy relief.
The Bad: I wish that this film had the budget to pull off the special effects that it desperately needed. They really tried to make them work, but the movie really does scream out "cheap fx." What the pic lacks in stunning visuals, however, it more than makes up for in imagination.
The Summary: We finally have a Princess Bride for a new generation.
Comments