Stardust (B- or 2.5/4 stars)
'Stardust' (directed by Matthew Vaughn) begins in a countryside village bordering a magical realm where Tristan (fresh-faced Charlie Cox) has made a promise to Victoria (Sienna Miller) that he'll retrieve a fallen star for her by journeying to the mysterious land, Stormhold. Along the way, he discovers Yvaine (ever mercurial Claire Daines), the fallen star. But he's not the only one who's hunting her down. Also in search of this star are Lord Stormhold's (Peter O'Toole) 3 living sons (including Rupert Everett & Mark Strong). Whoever finds the stone (she wears) first will inherit the throne from their dying father.
Tristan also has to hold onto Yvaine before an evil witch (Michelle Pfeiffer) kidnaps her. A prophecy states that the heart of a fallen star would grant eternal life to the witch & her 2 sisters. As Tristan tries to bring Yvaine to Victoria, he encounters a pirate, Capt. Shakespeare (Robert DeNiro), and a tradesman (Ricky Gervais). Do they long for the star, as well? Will Tristan realize that the key to his heart may be the thing that's longed for by most ... and right in front of his eyes all along? Tristan's quest takes some crazy twists en route to a climactic battle between him and the evil witch (Pfeiffer).
I imagine that some will find this to be a wholly enchanting tale. After all, when you've got wicked witches, spells, prophecies, myths, legends, fallen stars, princes, princesses, goblins, true love, magic stones, swordfights, flying vehicles, unicorns, quests, etc., you know you're (hopefully) in for some whimsy and wonderment. But a lot of it is surface stuff; when you need the magic to penetrate. The 1st hour offers little enjoyment. Thankfully, the 2nd hour clicks-in with that magic; but still, it's not completely perfect. At 126 minutes, the movie is a tad long; and it's overstuffed with fairy tale minutia. And not only is the dialogue cliched, but it is even delivered in a cliched manner. i.e., the inflections given by the characters are the kinds that you've seen before in other fantasy flicks.
The film gets some actual life by the time DeNiro & his merry crew show up on their lightning-propelled, flying dirigible pirate ship {yes, that's right}. DeNiro spits out a couple of humorous one-liners & parades around in women's clothes. I liked any scene where Lord Stormhold's dead sons were in them. They brought a much needed smile to my face. I like how the all-star cast (though not used to full potential) has their own intricate agendas with Yvaine's heart. I like some good old fashioned heroism & romance. I like the sense of escape that the film offers; it's nothing, if not imaginative. You knew how the film would end, but I like that you didn't know the manner in which the climax unfolds. And I liked the late (very late) blossoming chemistry btwn. Claire Danes & Charlie Cox.
I just wish I wasn't frowning so much (especially early on). Rupert Everett's talents are put to little use. Ian McKellen's soothing narrative voice is barely heard. There are too many useless characters (i.e., Victoria, Ditchwater Sal). Also, too many scenes are either ended curtly or lack a sly sense of humor. It also lacks something very important ... attitude (Pfeiffer's role was ripe for it). It's weird; I wouldn't call this a kid's film because there are too many gruesome deaths & adult themes, nor do I think every adult would love it because it's so unbelievably silly. You know, 'Stardust' is easy to watch. It has its niceties; I liked it fine. But it's also an overwhelming faerie tale concoction of adrenaline-filled hits & misses. The Princess Bride it is not.
Tristan also has to hold onto Yvaine before an evil witch (Michelle Pfeiffer) kidnaps her. A prophecy states that the heart of a fallen star would grant eternal life to the witch & her 2 sisters. As Tristan tries to bring Yvaine to Victoria, he encounters a pirate, Capt. Shakespeare (Robert DeNiro), and a tradesman (Ricky Gervais). Do they long for the star, as well? Will Tristan realize that the key to his heart may be the thing that's longed for by most ... and right in front of his eyes all along? Tristan's quest takes some crazy twists en route to a climactic battle between him and the evil witch (Pfeiffer).
I imagine that some will find this to be a wholly enchanting tale. After all, when you've got wicked witches, spells, prophecies, myths, legends, fallen stars, princes, princesses, goblins, true love, magic stones, swordfights, flying vehicles, unicorns, quests, etc., you know you're (hopefully) in for some whimsy and wonderment. But a lot of it is surface stuff; when you need the magic to penetrate. The 1st hour offers little enjoyment. Thankfully, the 2nd hour clicks-in with that magic; but still, it's not completely perfect. At 126 minutes, the movie is a tad long; and it's overstuffed with fairy tale minutia. And not only is the dialogue cliched, but it is even delivered in a cliched manner. i.e., the inflections given by the characters are the kinds that you've seen before in other fantasy flicks.
The film gets some actual life by the time DeNiro & his merry crew show up on their lightning-propelled, flying dirigible pirate ship {yes, that's right}. DeNiro spits out a couple of humorous one-liners & parades around in women's clothes. I liked any scene where Lord Stormhold's dead sons were in them. They brought a much needed smile to my face. I like how the all-star cast (though not used to full potential) has their own intricate agendas with Yvaine's heart. I like some good old fashioned heroism & romance. I like the sense of escape that the film offers; it's nothing, if not imaginative. You knew how the film would end, but I like that you didn't know the manner in which the climax unfolds. And I liked the late (very late) blossoming chemistry btwn. Claire Danes & Charlie Cox.
I just wish I wasn't frowning so much (especially early on). Rupert Everett's talents are put to little use. Ian McKellen's soothing narrative voice is barely heard. There are too many useless characters (i.e., Victoria, Ditchwater Sal). Also, too many scenes are either ended curtly or lack a sly sense of humor. It also lacks something very important ... attitude (Pfeiffer's role was ripe for it). It's weird; I wouldn't call this a kid's film because there are too many gruesome deaths & adult themes, nor do I think every adult would love it because it's so unbelievably silly. You know, 'Stardust' is easy to watch. It has its niceties; I liked it fine. But it's also an overwhelming faerie tale concoction of adrenaline-filled hits & misses. The Princess Bride it is not.