Stardust (2007)

Overall rating from 1 to 100: 71

O Masterpiece (95-100)
X Excellent (75-94)
O Good video rental (60-74)
O Merely OK (50-59)
O Pure mediocrity (30-49)
O Medusa: don't watch (1-29)

Review by Jason Pyles / August 25, 2007

“Stardust” is the first great fantasy in years. OK, I guess since “The Lord of the Rings.” But “Stardust” has all of the necessary elements to carry us away into another world. Indeed “Stardust” is magical, wondrous, bizarre, humorous, creepy, whimsical, romantic and adventurous. All of these adjectives fit; I have not exaggerated one bit ... but I did just inadvertently rhyme. Oh, and “Stardust” has a voice-over narration by Ian McKellen ... how much better could it get?

Somewhere not too far from London lies a village that’s simply called “Wall”; and appropriately so, because the village has a wall that has required a 24-hour guard for years and years. The tireless guard stands at an opening in the wall and tries to keep villagers from passing through to the other side. The gap leads to another dimension, a magical kingdom called “Stormhold.”

As you might suspect, one of Wall’s adventurous youth ventures into Stormhold, entertains a captured princess for a night, and ends up with another adventurous youth of his own, nine months later. This new adventurous youth named Tristan (Charlie Cox) grows up and needs to pass over into Stormhold, too.

You see, Stormhold’s dying king’s antics to decide his heir among his equally vicious sons leads to the falling of a star (Claire Danes). Tristan seeks to find a piece of the star (which he imagines to be a rock), that he may win the heart of a superficial gal from Wall. Little does Tristan know, many others from Stormhold are also desperately seeking — not Susan, but the star.

Although it may seem like I have described too much too extensively, this is the mere setup for the plot. What it becomes is a delightful adventure, filled with ghastly (and not-so-ghastly) witches (such as Michelle Pfeiffer) and romantic comedy. “Stardust” has something to offer to each family member of varying ages and gender.

Oh, and be warned: If you’ve seen Robert De Niro in “Taxi Driver” (1976), then his role in “Stardust” may make your head explode. Scorsese will cry if he ever sees this movie.

Directed by Matthew Vaughn
Claire Danes / Michelle Pfeiffer / Charlie Cox
128 min. Fantasy
MPAA: PG-13 (for some fantasy violence and risqué humor)

Copyright 2007.
JP0178 : 350