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Written by Rick Bentley, MCT
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Wednesday, 08 August 2007 |
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STARDUST
A-
Rating: PG-13 for fantasy violence and adult themes.
Starring: Charlie Cox, Michelle Pfeiffer, Claire Danes, Sienna Miller, Ricky Gervais.
Director: Matthew Vaughn.
Running time: 2 hours, 5 minutes.
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Once upon a time, in the mysterious northern area known as Minnesota, lived a weaver of visual spells known by the name of Neil Gaiman. Legions of fans learned of his magical creations through colorful publications known as comic books.
A decade ago Gaiman presented to these legions a four-part story. This whimsical tale of falling stars, aged witches and air pirates was known as "Stardust." It is that colorful story that inspired an equally magical movie.
Not since "The Princess Bride" 20 years ago has a feature film been filled with such a perfect mix of fantasy, humor, romance and adventure. Each of these elements enter into a symbiotic relationship with each other that makes all the parts stronger.
At the heart of this tale is Tristan Thorne (Charlie Cox), a young man of mixed birth. His father ventured into a magical city where he met a princess who was under the spell of an evil witch. The pair found their own magic and Tristan was born.
Years later, Tristan finds himself on his own romantic quest. His heart has been stolen (only figuratively) by the prettiest girl in the village (Sienna Miller). She's not as interested in Tristan until he promises to bring her a fallen star.
It is Tristan's quest for that star that serves as the catalyst for the whimsical events that fill the screen. It seems stars are actually very shiny people. So Tristan proceeds to lead the star (Claire Danes) back through a world filled with all sorts of perils.
The biggest peril is Lamia (Michelle Pfeiffer), a powerful witch who needs the star to regain her youth. There's also a family feud going on among brothers as to which will be the new king of the magical realm. The star has a necklace that will reveal the true heir to the throne.
"Stardust" swaggers between creepy and kooky. At times Lamia is brutally vicious wiping out anyone who stands in her way. Then there are times her magic is a few spells short of a cauldron. There's a particularly funny sequence where Lamia turns a goat into a man. Let's just say you can put a goat into a man's clothing but he's always going to be kidding around.
Pfeiffer plays the role with gusto but never goes so far that she looks like an escapee from a Disney animated film. She has the pivotal role in the movie and she shines.
The movie is loaded with standout supporting players. Robert De Niro plays a pirate captain that would probably be more comfortable in Penzance than the Caribbean. Ricky Gervais has a small but funny role as a goods trader.
Along the way, there is a group of ghosts who provide clever commentary like other-world game show announcers.
These characters all go to make "Stardust" a magical adventure that proves a variety of film genres can exist in harmony as long as they have the perfect vessel. Gaiman's fairy tale is just such a vessel.
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