Reviews of Stardust

A new take on fairy tales

Posted : 1 year, 4 months ago on 3 August 2008 09:38 (A review of Stardust)

I'm a huge fairy tale nut, and Stardust is the sort of story that manages to catch every bit of that love and throw it back to me. Gaiman is a genius. The plot is light and silly, but at the same time, manages to catch every bit of the wonder that makes the Grimm tales so enticing. In a way that movies like Ladyhawke and The Brothers Grimm do not.

I highly recommend it.

Now, for the detail.

Overall, I loved this film. It's sweet, and uplifting, and the few flaws are mild enough not to annoy me, and I'm the sort who can easily find that some flaws keep me from enjoying movies, so that says a lot, I think. The story is simple enough. Tristran is sweet and rather innocuous. The girl-next-door that he wants at the beginning of the film is vain and spoiled enough that you know she isn't the one for him. The set up about the royal family of Stronghold, and their succession is humorous, if a bit obvious. The star in the form of Claire Danes is lovely. She occasionally overreacts, but as a non-earthly creature, it works quite well, really. And Michelle is incredibly perfect as the evil witch. All in all, excellent casting.

Two things I'm incredibly pleased by in this story: the magic and fact that those little threads that most writers would let dangle were actually pulled back into the main thread of the story. The magic feels real, like it actually has rules behind it. Like someone's given it thought. Hubby tells me this is just Gaiman's usual magic, but I'm still pleased to see it. He did a lovely job of it.

As for the storyline threads, there were so many that I wouldn't have been surprised to see dropped, but most of them were still wound back into the story. The story about Tristran's parents: not only her "story" that she tells to his father about being a princess, or the chain he cuts to try to free her then gives their son later, but also the name she gives her son: Tristran is a version of a name that means "sad." What better name for a girl to give her son when she's been held captive who knew how long, and she was going to have to give him up, and possibly never see him again? And as for the chain that his father chops off, it is not only used by Tristran on Yvaine, but later another version is used to bind her and Una together. And the idea that only powerful magic -- including a unicorn horn (a nice touch) -- can remove the chain is very nice. There's more, of course. These are just the ones that immediately come to mind.

Actors: Peter O'Toole's cameo was fun. As was Rupert Everett's. Michelle was utterly lovely. At the moment she started sobbing about loosing her sisters, I was utterly disappointed, so when we found out it was entirely put on...I couldn't help but grin. And she did not only a lovely acting job, but she did it through a ton of makeup. Claire did an okay job. I've seen her do better, but she held up well. As for Deniro? He was a slasher's dream. I think he may well have stolen the movie. I just loved him.

In fact, I will say that the point the movie and the two heroes' come into their own is the entire sequence on the air boat. The movie is especially fun during that whole part of the film. Captain Shakespeare's reasoning for his name, his closet, "cutting" Tristran's hair longer, the fighting and dancing lessons... I loved it all. Particularly Septimus's attack once they've left the ship. Absolutely priceless.

I do have to say that the story surrounding Tristran's parentage and the "secret" about his mother was a bit anticlimactic. Meaning that the moment the King asked where "Una" was, I knew that Tristran would end up the king, with Yvaine as his queen. I would have liked something more subtle, at least. But I am glad it wasn't the only storyline. Some of the acting was a bit stiff, and a few accents were dropped. But overall, I thought it wasn't enough to really upset the balance of the film.

My overall impression? Excellent movie. I highly recommend it.

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brilliant

Posted : 1 year, 8 months ago on 21 April 2008 08:24 (A review of Stardust)

Tristan promises his loved one, Victoria, that he will bring her a fallen star to prove his love. During his quest for the fallen star, he will encounter a world different than his... and find his real true love.

I was very surprised to see such raving reviews for this film, as I hadn't expected it to be so appreciated.

Wonderful acting by everyone, but De Niro. All other performances just proved how bad De Niro's acting is, it was just beyond belief. That said, this role as a "whoopsie" was perfect for him! Really. He was so bad he was good! Finally Pfeiffer is at her best. Let's not forget Claire Danes' superb performance! Charlie Cox is truly a gem, I hope he continues to be as talented in other films as he is here. Perfect directing.

Beautiful cinematography, truly great decors and costumes.

I can't get enough of this movie, despite the fact that its story is so simple, basic, predictable, it is still such a delight from start to finish. I, like Gwenny, was transported back to a world where Good and Evil coexisted and Life itself seemed so simple. The movie proves you don't need original stories to be a great film; simple themes, as presented here, also provide enjoyable films.

I will be watching this motion picture at least once a year, it's that great.


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Stardust

Posted : 1 year, 10 months ago on 3 February 2008 11:43 (A review of Stardust)

Not only did this movie end up being different then what I thought it was (as is usually the case) but it turned out to be far better as well. There's also the fact that I never would have picked Michelle Pfeiffer and Robert De Niro to do those type of roles but seeing them in those roles and pulling it off as well was really surprising. They just seemed perfectly suited to it. Plus there is the added bonus of seeing De Niro dancing around, I found that amusing.
A thoroughly enjoyable movie.

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Not To Be Confused with Ziggy.

Posted : 1 year, 12 months ago on 29 December 2007 03:04 (A review of Stardust)

I was first drawn to this film by the theme tune. As I aimlessly flick through music channels checking the latest videos, I came across the Take That video and got curious.

I was taken by surprise as I didn't notice this film at all until its release. However, it is an enjoyable fantasy flick.

Ricky Gervais once again slinks his way into Hollywood. His role is far greater than that of Night at the Museum and I'm glad to see him moving up in the world.

If you like to forget about rationality, then watch this film. It's a treat.

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Watch It!

Posted : 2 years ago on 27 November 2007 02:42 (A review of Stardust)

Michelle Pheiffer, "Lamia", she was amazing, hilarious, tragic tragedy which made me cry, then laugh two seconds later. This film reminded me of how much I love her. She was the centerpiece of this beautiful fairytale. The world was gorgeous,the CG-Imagery was well done, I am definately going to buy this movie! I saw this film with my friends of 20-somethings, we enjoyed it, there were elderly few in the theaters as well, they were laughing, it's just a good movie.

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Fantastic Fantasy

Posted : 2 years, 2 months ago on 7 October 2007 02:01 (A review of Stardust)

One of the best movies i've seen all year, and definetly one of the best fantasy films.
You'd be surprised at how many well known actors appear in this film, each playing a fantastic role. I must say that Robert De Niro was absolutely hilarious and perfect, aswell as other names such as Claire Danes, Michelle Pfeiffer, Ricky Gervais (Yet another hilarious character) and ofcourse Charlie Cox who was amazing as the main character.
This magical film is amazing in every way possible - it easily deserved the five stars.

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NOT Princess Bride

Posted : 2 years, 2 months ago on 28 September 2007 04:28 (A review of Stardust)

I'm afraid I have to start this review by saying that the director failed. By his own admission he set out to make a new Princess Bride, for a new generation. And, not sadly, he failed totally. Stardust is as far from Princess Bride, as much as I love Princess Bride, as 2001 was from Mars Needs Women. Princess Bride is an adult, tongue in cheek look at fairy tales. Stardust is, in every sense, a true fairy tale.

There is so much to love about this movie. But I think what I loved best was that for two hours I was transported to a world where there was truly only good and evil, where the questions of life were simple and the answers even more simple. I was transported back to the world of my childhood where you knew who to trust, where nothing could stop Love and where, even if he was afraid, the Hero did what was right.

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Great family movie

Posted : 2 years, 4 months ago on 26 August 2007 04:16 (A review of Stardust)

This movie was a lot of fun to watch. It had a great cast that worked really well together. Robert DeNiro was hilarous in his scenes. The movie moved from action to comedy really well. (My son didn't want to see this with his sisters, but at the end he even said it was really funny.)

If you haven't heard about this movie, it is a romantic fantasy. A young man goes on a quest to win the heart of the women he loves. Of course along the way he meets up with a lot of adventures and challenges that he must overcome.

A lot of reviews have compared this with the Princess Bride. There are comparisons but this movie uses the modern special effects really well to add to its excitement. (ie. The ghostly brothers and use of magic.) I don't know why this movie hasn't attracted more of an audience. It really is worth seeing with the whole family.

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