Princess Bride for the new millenia

Rating: 9/10 (17 October 2007)

I've been a fan, somewhat, of most of Gaiman's other works. At times I do find him a bit pretentious and tedious. I have the original graphic 'novel' of the Stardust stories and enjoyed them quite a bit. It was with trepidation that I went to see the film version as Gaiman has a very unique writing style that has often found difficulty in translation (the Neverwhere TV series was mediocre at best).
I was wonderfully surprised that Vaughn and company were able to temper some of Gaiman's more tedious tendencies and make a wonderful and enjoyable picture.
I never found myself feeling bored or distracted and by the end of the movie, unlike most romantic pics, I walked away feeling lighter of step and smiling. I remembered sequences of the film and light touches and happy occasions, despite the seriousness of the threat in the film, with great relish.
I also remembered one of the few films of the past that have left me with this same feeling. The Princess Bride. Both were irreverent, to a point, poignant, yet not maudlin, and exciting, but not overdone.
This film, for me, is a buy. I don't/can't afford many films but I will be adding this to my library so that I may share this bright and wonderful discovery with anyone willing to listen.