A joyous experience and the underrated Gem of last year

Rating: 9/10 (3 February 2008)

I had a sneaking feeling that when I went to see this film it was going to be one of those that was going to be a complete waste of time or a quiet masterpiece and thankfully it is the latter.
After a quiet but intriguing start which the adults will probably enjoy more than the children, we are thrown into the deep end by watching the king of the magical kingdom offer a challenge to his potential heirs in order for them to become king, whilst the hero of the piece tries to bring a star back for the spoilt brat that he thinks he loves. After various scrapes we watch as the boy of the start becomes a man and realises what is important in life. Plaudits go to the gorgeous Michelle Pfeifer who has a great time in the best role she has had for years, but the scene stealing award goes to Robert De Niro who is simply amazing and I'm not a De Niro fan! But in this film he plays completely against type and is a revelation, which, for an actor of his years is no mean feat.
Get it on DVD when it comes out. You deserve a treat