Stardust is- hats off- one of the most entertaining, beautiful, fun and impressive movies I have ever seen. The story is based on a novel by Neil Gaiman. It is an advanced fairy-tale for adults which children can enjoy as well. It is complicated, original, life-like and lovely. Complete with witches, kings, throne-thirsty princes, stars, pirates…The whole works. Yes, I am extremely positively biased because I love absolutely everything about the movie. Hang around and see if you agree.
1. The Novel: Neil Gaiman
The story is based on Neil Gaiman’s novel.
2. The Story: Jane Goldman – Matthew Vaughn
Little English village Wall is bordering next to a magical kingdom called Stormhold. While Wall is a typical English town with typical humans, Stormhold has witches and weird stuff going on. Right now, the main question for the King and the remaining sons (3 sons have been murdered by their brothers) is who will own the crown. The king-to-be is supposed to acquire the jewel, which flies out the window and into the sky. The sons start chasing the star while trying to get rid of each other.
The jewel causes a massive reaction in the sky, causing a star (Yvaine) to fall down- in the form of Claire Danes, wearing the jewel.
Tristan Thorn is young man has to get the star to show to his beloved Victoria. Victoria is a spoiled young woman who is merely using him. Tristan and Yvaine have to start an unwilling alliance, since she needs Tristan’s magical candle to go back home. How Tristan came to possess the candle has a beautiful story of its own.
But of course things are more complicated: 3 sister witches need to get the star. One of them goes out to get it- they need to cut out the star’s heart and eat it, to restore beauty and youth. The journey is full of adventure, surprises, interesting characters, dangers, romance and fun.
3. Direction: Matthew Vaughn
Vaughn is a British director who previously directed Layer Cake with Daniel Craig. Haven’t seen it yet, but I fully intend to. Of course has nothing in common with Stardust, apart from Vaughn himself. But I don’t care if he doesn’t direct anything I like ever again. Stardust is perfect and Vaughn deserves a lot of credit for that.
4. The whole movie crew: Especially production, cinematography, effects and make-up.
Amazing. If you saw the movie, you know what I mean. If you haven’t, wait till I go over the cast members.
5. The Score:
Just right. Adds to the magic, action and romance.
THE CAST
6. Michelle Pfeiffer
She is the witch out after our star. She is just breath-takingly beautiful and cunning. Michelle Pfeiffer is brilliant as the main villain. She has always been my favorite actresses and one of the women I find truly gorgeous. She is a woman to be envied and admired.
7. Robert De Niro
You have never seen him De Niro this. I watched tens of movies of him and I thought I had seen all his faces. I was wrong. His performance as the captain of a lightning- catching pirate ship (now, that sounds like a great job) is just hilarious. Without him, the movie would just not be half as good.
8. Charlie Cox
Cox Plays our male lead Tristan. He makes a perfect transition from the naive boy to the smart guy- getting only more handsome with the captain’ touches to his image. He grows wiser but remains nice and romantic. The result? Eye candy and lovable character all in one. Cox is growing up nicely. I previously watched him in Casanova. Period pieces and swords just become him…
9. Claire Danes
She is just adorable as the star Yvaine. She shines (both literally & metaphorically) throughout the movie. She has the truest observations about mankind. She is pretty and I totally forgave her for boring me to bits in Romeo + Juliet (I dislike the movies as a whole, not just her as Juliet)
10. Ben Barnes
Ben Barnes has a small part as Tristan’s father’s youth. He conveys innocence, curiosity and fascination perfectly. I wish he had a bigger part but hey, the film-makers worldwide seemed to agree with me that Ben is a great actor so he went on to get leading parts in The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Kasbian, as Prince Kasbian and Easy Virtue. They also seem to agree that Ben is just as beautiful as a man can get since they cast him as Dorian Gray in Dorian Gray.
11. Mark Strong
I had first seen Mark Strong in Body of Lies starring Russell Crowe and Leonardo di Caprio. He played his accent so perfectly; I could swear he wasn’t a native English speaker. He is English however and he is a marvelous actor. He can make you forget you saw him in any other role. He truly becomes his character. He is perfect as the King’s smartest, most cunning and charismatic son. He also makes one badass villain in Sherlock Holmes.
12. Henry Cavill
When I found out that the guy playing Victoria (Sienna Miller)’s arrogant jerk of a boyfriend- who also seemed really awfully blond and stupid- was the same gorgeous Henry Cavill who stars in The Tudors next to Jonathan Rhys Meyers. Wow! Kudos to making department for making Henry repelling. That takes talent.
13. Sienna Miller
I don’t know why people think she can’t act. I think she gives whatever the role requires. She plays the beautiful and superficial Victoria just right. I also loved her as Casanova’s true love in Casanova.
14. Kate Magowan
Well, Tristan owes his existence to her. Literally. She is one of the key characters. I can’t imagine anyone else for the part. She is pretty, strong and determined.
WITH
15. Peter O’ Toole
He has only about 5 minutes as the king but who cares? He is Peter O’Toole and we love to see him on the screen.
16. Rupert Everett
Same 5 minutes goes for Rupert, but he really is good for an idiotic prince.
17. Nathaniel Parker
He play’s Tristan’ s father. Aside from the best father figure one can have, I think he is a good choice for Ben Barnes’ grown-up version. However I can’t see Ben turning into him in 18 years. Maybe 36? But hey- I guess it was tough being a single dad during those times…
18. Ricky Gervais
Always funny to see him. I especially enjoyed his part this time I saw Stardust- having recently watched The Invention of Lying and Ghost Town.
19. Ian McKellen
How is that for a narrator?
20. Seriously? You need more reasons? You have got to be kidding me!!!
7.9 from IMDB, voted by over 87.000 people. Not bad, but I voted it a 9, just for the record. What are you waiting for? Let the magic begin. I think I saw it 4 times already. And no, I am not done with the movie yet.
The trailer is below.
[pro-player width=’530′ height=’253′ type=’video’]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6_gBg4XjWk[/pro-player]