
An instant classic
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
This particular film is one fantasy not-so-epic called Stardust.
This is a classic case of a trailer that does not do the film justice. I have not read the book by Niel Gaiman, nor have I ever had an inclination to, but the movie held a slight degree of interest to me, mostly due to the CG work I saw in the trailer. Turns out the effects were not at all the proudest point the movie had going for it.
It was dang funny.
I haven't laughed as much (in honest amusement) at a fantasy film since I saw The Princess Bride for the first time. There are a great number of amusing lines and moments throughout the film that totally caught me off guard and charmed me to no end. Humorous lines come in the most unexpected places from the most unexpected people.
But I'm getting ahead of myself.
Tristan (played with wide-eyed vigor by Charlie Cox) is a young man, just entering adulthood, living in the British village of Wall--named so for the wall that separates it from the magical world next door. In a spur-of-the-moment romantic quest, Tristan finds himself thrown deep into the magical land (from whence he was born, it is established at the beginning of the movie) and right in the arms of a star (Claire Danes) who has just fallen from the sky. His goal is to return with her as a gift of betrothal to his "true love". Needless to say, the star, Yvaine, is reluctant, but needs a particular form of magical transportation Tristan has on his person to return to the heavens. An agreement is struck; that Yvaine will return to Wall with Tristan, provided he return her to the sky immediately thereafter. They set off on the journey back to England.
Two other parties are interested in the star, however, for their own reasons. The witch, Lamia, (a gleefully wicked Michelle Pfeiffer) desires her heart, to attain prolonged life and power. The prince Septimus also wants the star--for the immortality--and the gem she carries--for the inheritance of the throne. These two pursue Tristan and Yvaine tirelessly across the land, water and sky (I'm serious, they really do trot around the sky for a while).
Along the way, they meet a cleverly assembled cast of side-characters, including Ricky Gervais, and Robert DeNiro, as the secretly-wimpy pirate Cap'n Shakespeare. The movie is well-worth watching, if only for the ingenious fight sequence between Septimus' ilk and the pirate crew. DeNiro's performance is priceless, and perfectly indicative of his versatility as an actor.
Matters come to a head, with all parties converging inevitably upon one another as they all draw nearer to Wall.
The film is delightfully witty, and carries itself with a sort of tongue-in-cheek grace. It skims lightly along some sweet and profound elements, but keeps its sense of irreverent, ever-so-slightly-dark humor and never takes itself too seriously.
Add some shiny special effects and a fantastic score by newcomer Ilan Eshkeri, and you've got a recipe for an instant classic.
Review ID: 10000000005486788

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