is this a comedy or a fantasy?

Rating: 6/10 (4 April 2008)

I had high hopes of 'Stardust' mainly because of its cast, and because of interesting preview trailers. However, now I've seen it, I'm a bit underwhelmed.
Charlie Cox isn't the most interesting leading man in the world, and his quest to find a fallen star (Claire Danes, who has grown up a lot since Romeo+Juliet) for his 'one true love' Victoria (a tiresome Sienna Miller) is confusing and a bit silly.
Many cast members are underused, notably those who play the sons of the King, and prospective heirs to the throne. Some casting is plain odd (is there ever a reason to cast Ricky Gervais?), although there is a nice turn from Robert de Niro as the pirate Captain who may not be all he seems.
Special effects pale a bit to other fantasy films (Narnia, Harry Potter, LOTR) but they're OK, and it is always nice to see Michelle Pfieffer in a leading role.
It just doesn't live up to its promise, perhaps because it can't make its mind up whether it is a send-up or the real thing.