Star light, star bright

Rating: 8/10 (10 October 2007)

Matthew Vaughn's film adaptation of the Neil Gaiman's novella "Stardust" is a pleasant surprise in that I didn't know what to expect of it beforehand. For one, "Mirrormask," the other Gaiman material adapted to the big screen wasn't much of an experience worthy of its source. Also, the trailer didn't look at all exciting. But somehow, the lowered expectations helped in a genuinely satisfying experience.
"Stardust" is set more than a century ago and tells the story of Tristan (Charlie Cox), a young man from Wall, England, who sets out to the other side of a wall, to a magical kingdom, in search of the star that fell from the sky so that he can get the hand of Victoria (Sienna Miller) in marriage. It turns out that the star is not in the form of a piece of rock but of a young woman named Yvaine (Claire Danes). And he's not alone as Lamia (michelle Pfeiffer), one of the three witch sisters, is also in pursuit of the star whose heart is said to be the key to immortality. Add in the fact that Yvaine has found a diamond necklace at the site where she fell, which is the object of desire of two king-wannabes, who now has to find Yvaine to retrieve the necklace.
What ensues is an old-fashioned fantasy film that plays more as a fairy tale for grown-ups, which while never reaches the heights of last year's "Pan's Labyrinth," succeeds in presenting a dazzling imagination and wry humor that keep you engaged during its running time. The battalion of intersecting plot lines make for an overall uneven experience but co-writer/director Vaughn and co-writer Jane Goldman keep the proceedings lively with the script's banteringly amusing nature.
Leads Cox and Danes generate genuine chemistry so much so that it's easy to categorize their pairing for a romantic comedy that all the more that calls to mind "The Princess Bride." The supporting cast that include Robert De Niro and Pfeiffer easily ham it up without going overboard.
Overall, "Stardust" is a magical experience. It may not be a definitive adaptation but it's definitely worth the two hours.