A fallen star, a cross-dressing pirate, and wicked witches add up to lots of fun!

Rating: 8/10 (6 December 2016)

What a charming, new fairy tale! I'm a bit late to the party, as I've only just watched Stardust, and it came out in 2007, but I'm so glad I found it on Netflix. Heavy star power (pun intended) makes this light, sweet story great fun to watch. A much younger Cllare Danes looks every inch the shining heavenly body, and Robert De Niro makes the pirate captain hilariously lovable. The bad guys are bad, the guys are good. Simple is better in the world of fairy tales and Stardust meets that mark without sacrificing any magic. Made me with I could escape to the heavens occasionally! Ian McKellen makes the perfect narrator, but we only hear him at the beginning and end. The plot carries itself without explanation. The only bit that might upset some viewers, especially children, involves some off-camera killing of animals by witches to read their entrails. However, even the animals have their day, which is just as it should be. Wonderful family, escapist entertainment.