What a way to end the summer!!!

Rating: 10/10 (10 September 2007)

Well it's finally happened for me; a movie that surpassed the book! My friends would have you know that that never happens for me. I'm usually the one who goes to see a movie based on a book I've read and leaves screaming of how it was unfaithful. Was Stardust a perfect representation of the book it is based on? No, it was even better! I'll start with the acting, which was top notch. Claire Danes and Charlie Cox have effective chemistry and are fun to watch. Their eventual romance and marriage is predictable but fun to watch none the less. I had never heard of Cox before this movie but suspect he'll be around for some time to come.
Peter O'Tool, in his bit part, is fabulous and his little laugh (you know which one I'm talking about) is classic. Mark Strong is excellent and gets extra kudos for his excellent acting when he is "duling" with Tristan.
This movie, however, belongs to two of my favorite actors: Robert De Niro and Michelle Pfeiffer. As Shakespeare (changed considerably from the novel) De Niro had me rolling in the aisles. The scene when Septimus finds him in his leisure is fantastic and you can tell De Niro is just hamming it up and having a blast. I would have pictured someone like Robin Williams for the part but De Niro is nothing short of amazing.
Michelle Pfeiffer is equally having fun in her role. Don't know what she thought of the cosmetics but whoever was in charge of make-up gets even more kudos than Mark Strong. They successfully made Michelle Pfeiffer (a woman who constantly makes me question my sexual orientation;)) look like a hag and I never thought that possible.
Overall movie making is wonderful and beautifully paced. The music flows well and I can't wait for Take That to release "Rule the World." This is on my Christmas/Thanksgiving/Halloween wish list.
In a summer filled with sequels and action movies, this one reigns supreme and unique. My only wish is that they would have waited until Fall to release it as it may have been more fondly received at the Box Office. While it might not be the Princess Bride, it certainly is comparable and easily one of the best Fairy Tales I've seen in a long while.