‘Stardust’: A High Sea Adventure with Magic and Romance

If its cast wasn’t enough incentive for the would-be viewer, this “adult” fantasy book-to-screen adaptation also surprises with a clever script – and that means this is a winner.

Stardust (2007) Film Review 

Nearly twenty years after being left on his father’s doorstep, Tristan Thorn (Charlie Cox) is in love. He’s found the woman whose heart he wishes to win in the local beauty, Victoria (Sienna Miller). Only trouble is, Tristan has to compete for her hand against a school mate. Hoping to woo her, Tristan promises the impossible: he’ll bring back a fallen star for the honor of her hand. There’s just one problem. Wall, the village Tristan calls home, has a wall to protect it from the realm of Stronghold and none of its citizens may cross to the lands unknown beyond that point.

Not about to give up, Tristan’s wanderlust prompts him to go forward. Once he reaches his destination, Tristan finds that the star is far from a lump of stardust. Her name is Yvaine (Claire Danes) and she’s nothing he expects. In order to keep her safe, he’ll have to embark on an adventure, one that pits him against a wicked sorceress (Michelle Peffier) and pirates!, he never expects.

There was once a time when fantasy films, books or any other form of “fantastical” entertainment was taboo in my house. Only recently did I settle in for a re-watch of this film, and writing this review reminds me that it’s probably Stardust that makes me curious about the genre in broader terms. I don’t watch this movie very often and for the life of me I cannot logically say why not. On the upside when I do get around to settling in and popping it into the player, it’s that much more fun because those time spans in-between viewings make me forget what a glittering piece of fun this film truly is.

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Fantasy addicts know that it takes a unique filmmaker who can merge humor and adventurous danger to fans satisfaction. That is the sort of fairy tale lover I am, and this script does that with whip-smart and zany precision. The script inspires lots of giggles without the feeling of the comedy “overdoing” things or at the cost of being a comedic mess. This is one of those films that really “has it all”; there’s several breath-catching moments (both good and bad). Of course, there’s swoon-worthy gestures, too. The creative genius behind this motion picture is Matthew Vaughn (X-Men, First Class) pulling double duty as both writer and director. Though I cannot say how this adapts (based on a novel by Neil Gaiman), the script works well as more of an “adult” fantasy epic and despite some unnecessary winking implications here and there, the story enthralls.

Before they’re familiar faces on television screens across, this movie features awesome talent! This includes its leading cast which pulls together everyone from the familiar (Danes, Peffier) to a newcomer (Cox). Also playing a role in this whimsical flick is Mark Strong, Rupert Everett, plus (briefly) a young Ben Barnes; and a nearly unrecognizable Henry Cavill. Everyone in this cast is stupendous! What I love most is that none of them are takes their roles too seriously – no one seems to be having more fun with it than this group of talent. But then that’s just what a good cast should do. The costuming is pretty, and Cox’s transformation from boy to man is good, too. Especially when he proves he can a.) wield a sword with expertise and b.) pull off swishing around one of those dusters!

If you like this genre,nothing does up the magic, enchantment or adventure better than Stardust. The title entices, and the build-up to the ever-important climatic ending better than many of its peers. In short, really all that needs to be said is this is any fantasy lover’s dream. It’s humorous, atmospheric (the effects aren’t bad either!) and just plain charming.

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Content: We learn two man are homosexual, and there is other minor sexual innuendo. A baby is born out-of-wedlock; and it’s implied an unmarried couple is intimate. There is plenty of witchcraft and magic (voodoo). A man is turned into a woman [for “comical” purposes, we see her bust form] along with a few other sexual gags. Brothers kill each other [throwing them out windows, poisonings, slit throats] and there is a “panel” of ghosts present through much of the film. There are a few profanities
littered about. The film is PG13.