Stardust - Showing People What Stars Do Best

When we moved to Missouri, we said farewell to the evil Comcast and hello to Dish Network.  Our introductory package deal gave us a bunch of movie channels like HBO and Showtime.  It certainly made TV more interesting.  I got to watch the second season of True Blood and all sorts of other movies, including Stardust.

Tristan Thorne is a young man who wants to prove his love to the lovely Victoria.  So when a star falls from the sky, he claims he will fetch it from her, even if it means venturing over the wall their town borders and heading into the world of faerie.  What he doesn't know is that he's not the only one after the star, and that a star, when it falls in faerie, is actually a woman and not a lump of rock.

Just a tidbit for you.  Originally I'd heard of it and was curious, and was glad to finally see it.  Especially since I'd completely forgotten who some of the names in the movie were.  Claire Danes is Yvaine, the star.  The story is narrated at the beginning and end by Ian McKellen.  Michelle Pfeiffer is a witch after the star.  And Robert DeNiro is the pirate Captain Shakespeare.  The best part is that they're all doing a bit of something we've never seen them do.  Or at least, I haven't.  I've never seen Michelle Pfeiffer as an evil, ugly old witch, which she pulls off fantastically.  If Tristan (Charlie Cox) weren't so darn cute, I'd have to say that I loved Michelle the best.  Robert De Niro comes in close too though, because of his unique, ah, personality as Capt. Shakespeare.  It makes me giggle even now.  I'll never think of Offenbach's "Can-Can" the same way again.  In short, stellar acting...pun sort of intended.

This movie is kind of strange in that it has a relatively normal (fantasy) plot and it plays out well, yet sometimes it feels slightly disjointed.  I think it's because of some semi-odd things, such as how no one would recognize a missing princess for over 17 years, the unicorn's appearance, and the deal with the wall and things on the other side of it.  One can infer plenty, though I myself didn't ever fully understand what the deal was with the wall until I read the book (which is much, much different by the way).

But aside from that, it's a fine movie.  I enjoy it every time I watch it, and I love how Tristan goes from an awkward boy to a fine man.  Fine in more ways than one.  The chemistry between Tristan and Yvaine is very cute.  I'm particularly fond of a part near the end where Tristan is running through the forest.  And that boy is bookin' it.  I love the magic and fighting at the end, and everybody's acting.  It is a nice change from typical fantasy storylines, has some unique twists, and some really funny moments (who knew fallen princes could be so amusing?).

The special effects are done very well, with only enough computer graphics as necessary, unlike how other movies rely on it so heavily it gets annoying.  It's also got a solid soundtrack by a composer I'm not at all familiar with, but am pleased to have now heard.  Very lovely and sweeping, especially when dramatic moments call for it.

Keep in mind that the book is found in the adult and teen sections of the bookstore.  I'm not sure which it first appeared in, but the point is that this isn't a child's story.  There is some violence; people and animals do die, and not nicely.

So if you want some good fantasy, give this movie a try.  You might be surprised at how much you like it. :)

NT

Recommended:
Yes