Stardust [2007] - DVD (Michelle Pfeiffer, Clare Danes, Charlie Cox, Robert De Niro, Sienna Miller - Dir: Matthew Vaughn)

An adaptation of the Neil Gaiman novel of the same name, Stardust brings a strong cast together for an enjoyable family feast, with plenty to enjoy.

Stardust mixes in romance and adventure, all in a fantasy movie guise, as it follows Tristan on his quest to retrieve a fallen star for the beautiful Victoria. Only it soon becomes clear that there's a lot more going on as Tristan makes his journey (not least a companion more diverting than the aforementioned Victoria). Michelle Pfeiffer, for instance, returns to high profile movie making (after quite a break) in the role of the evil witch, while there's space too for Robert De Niro's pirate and an odd cameo from Ricky Gervais.

Seemingly one of a wealth of family films that made it out of the blocks off the success of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Stardust doesn't quite hit those heights, but it has quite a sporting go. It's an uneven tale, albeit one told with enough passion and enthusiasm to encourage you to cut it some slack. And when it gets to the end of the last reel, it's hard to feel shortchanged by what you've just seen.

For while Stardust has problems, it also has laughs, adventure, action and a whole lot in its corner to recommend it. And it is worth your time and attention. --Jon Foster

Customer Reviews of Stardust [2007]

Stampy
England
24th August 2008

The light from this star doesn't shine so brightly from the inside
Stardust tells the story of a young man who sets off on a journey to recover a fallen star for his true love, only to find the star as a beautiful woman, and witches and the King's sons are also after her.

Based on Neil Gaimen's novel, this fantasy adventure is interesting and light-hearted, but doesn't have the humour and the true loveable factor to make a true classic.

With an exceptional cast which includes several Oscar nominated actors, and zeitgeist stars, this had true potential but in the end there just isn't enough zest to bring it out of a conventional plotline.

O'Toole (Lawrence of Arabia), Pfeiffer (Fabulous Baker Boys), De Niro (Raging Bull) are just some of the names included and all do their roles justice, but not even the talent of these Oscar nominated actors could do much to satisfy the plot. In the end, it just felt very star driven. De Niro was the best role of the film, the funniest and strangest.

The plot is inconsistent and hardly exciting with plenty of lapses, including a really uncomfortable first meeting between Tristan and Yvaine. The whole Victoria and Tristan also is very farfetched and daft to base the whole journey upon.

There seems to be too much going on at the beginning, and though it does even itself out, there then seems to be too many perfect timings and chance meetings which gives the plot a lack of realism.

The tagline "The fairytale that won't behave" is the most bizarre and worst one there has been for many years.

Even Take That's Rule the world song for this film wears off, and is only included in the end credits.

Not caring for visual effects, I hardly cared that they were very poor anyway.

There is no true depth on any level of this film, with the plot and visual effects poor, the acting is mild exception. Not worth the price of admission or on DVD, this is a very forgettable fairy tale which promised so much.

5/10

mummy spoon

15th August 2008

fantastic fantasy
I didnt know alot about this film when i bought the dvd, it was just a chance purchase, but i am so glad i bought this, it had my attention from the very first minute.The story introduces us to a place called wall, which is reached through a gap in a wall from our world. we follow the young man tristan as he tries to bring back a fallen star(claire danes) to his supposed love(sienna miller). we also find that the star was knocked out of the sky by a necklace which is being sought by the heirs to the throne of wall as the one who finds it will become king, then to add even more to this story, three witches want the fallen star aswell, as her heart will give them their youth back. There are several great characters in the film, robert de niro as the camp pirate is hilarious.
If you like lord of the rings, pirates of the caribbean or harry potter then chances are you will love this, although readers of the book don't seem to like it, i love it, It's a great family film, although very young children may be scared.

Empe
Italy
8th August 2008

A good fantasy movie
If you like fantasy is a good film, not only for teenagers, with a good cast (especially the witch Pfeiffer and the "pirate" De Niro) and a intriguing ("fantasyc") plot. Not a masterpiece, but a interesting original movie.

gaskella2
Nr Oxford, UK
7th August 2008

A magical family adventure
A truly magical comical fantasy adventure for all the family. Gaiman's fairy tale has been realised beautifully for the screen and features an all-star cast that goes all the way down into some of the smallest parts. The only one who jars for me is Ricky Gervais. Mark Williamson as a goat turned into a man is a piece of genius, Mark Strong is a brooding and murderous prince, and it is a delight to see De Niro and Pfeiffer having such fun playing against type. Claire Danes is an unconventional leading lady, but has that look of big-eyed wonder that wins you over as she did playing Juliet.
The story is an episodic fantasy quest that has laughs, both belly and more subtle chuckles, aplenty and some great running gags. There are great fights and there is also enough darkness and romance to suit everyone. The look of the film is sumptuous and fully realised in a way that the recent Pratchett adaptations for the telly could only long for from afar.
In summary, the best film I've seen for absolutely ages!

J. Hunter.
Liverpool, England.
6th August 2008

Fantastic, magical family fun.
Fantastic film. It's not your typical action/fairy tale film, it builds the characters wonderfully and builds up the story, with little bursts of action inbetween until the last 20-30 minutes when everything turns into a magical explosion of action.

Definitely buy this, you will not regret it.