rewriting the book?

Rating: 4/10 (26 October 2007)

Every time a novel is launched to theaters, the writers of the script must decide whether to adapt the story faithfully or to add their touch, maybe to shorten it or mix it with their own ideas. Peter Jackson's crew did a fine job, creating an entertaining story for both standard movie goers/non-original book readers and those who believe words written by Tolkien are sacred. The Stardust writing team, however, did not.
Although I must acknowledge their efforts to develop characters that were not as significant in the novel, like Captain Shakespeare (or Shake-spear if you prefer) giving Robert De Niro a chance to express his creativity, or making Secundus' death something more than just a line in Septimus' bio, the writers went definitely too far when they... changed the ending! The witch-fighting scene is one of the most ridiculous scenes ever (those mirrors breaking, but not hurting anyone - what was the point?). But then, the sword-fights (although none have taken place in the original) are quite well choreographed and somewhat entertaining. The film drops some of the important characters, introducing others instead. All in all, the movie lacks balance between creative additions and radical changes to the story.
What can be said about the actors? Charlie Cox, does his job I guess. Like Orlando Bloom in Kingdom of Heaven. You watch him on screen and wonder: "Is the movie really about this guy?". Claire Danes - again, nothing special and a little too old, if you'd ask me, for the role of a never-aging Yvaine. It's always fun to watch De Niro, but his role also does not stand out. The same goes for Michelle Pfeiffer. Acting is simply mediocre and uninspiring.
In the end it all comes down to your attitude towards book adaptations. Some like them strict, others like it when directors get carried away. Maybe I'd see it in another way if the credits stated: 'Based loosely on the...'. I did like the blue-bleeding Primus though - something truly original.