On Film: Stardust

Directed by Matthew Vaughn

Starring Claire Danes, Charlie Cox, Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer

A film with unicorns, witches and pirates? Count me in! I was in the front row for Stardust when it opened.

The Movie

Stardust tells the tale of Tristan (Charlie Cox), who lives in the English village of Wall. The village of Wall is protected by a cobblestone wall to protect the villagers from the supernatural world of Stormhold. However, Tristan has promised a local girl (Sienna Miller) that he will bring back a piece of a fallen star the two witnessed one night in order to prove his love for her. Soon, Tristan makes it pass the guard at the wall and enters the magical world of Stormhold.

But, it isn’t just Tristan that is looking for the fallen star. Lamia (Michelle Pfeiffer), an evil witch is desperately searching for the fallen star as it will return her and her sisters to their once beautiful appearances. I should mention here that stars in the world of Stardust take on a human form. And, once they find this star, they will cut out it’s beating heart and eat of it to return to their lustrous youth.

It isn’t long before Tristan finds the fallen star. This fallen star is named Yvaine (Claire Danes) and she is a lovely young woman. She wants to return to her home beyond the clouds and Tristan only wants her to make the trip back to Wall just to prove to Victoria that he accomplished his goal and ask for her hand in marriage. But, the trip back to the heavens and Wall is going to be wrought with danger, thanks to Lamia and many others along the way.

Along with all the witches and unicorns, there is also another story that is told in Stardust. That story is the King (Peter O’Toole) and his efforts to give the crown to one of his ruthless sons as he lies upon his death bed. Primus (Jason Flemyng) and Secondus (Rupert Everett) are just about willing to do anything, even kill one another, for the chance. Let’s just put it this way. The King had seven sons and the numbers are dwindling fast. They have their own reasons for finding the star.

In the midst of all this magic and adventure is a pirate ship that sails the seas of the clouds. It is lead by Captain Shakespeare (Robert De Niro) who offers protection to Tristan and Yvaine but has big secrets of his own to protect.

As you can imagine, Tristan, Yvaine, Lamia, Captain Shakespeare, Primus, Secondus and many more are going to come together in the final frames. But, who winds up with Yvaine? And, does Tristan wind up with the hand of Victoria in wedded bliss?

Stardust is really a throwback to films like Legend and The Princess Bride. But within the heart of Stardust, beats a darker heart and that is thanks to writer Neil Gaiman, who wrote the graphic novel upon which this film is based.

The performances by all, in particular Robert De Niro and Michelle Pfeiffer, are first rate. There is also a cameo performance by Ricky Gervais (the British series The Office and Extras) that fans of his will love. The cinematography is breathtaking, with much of the film shot in Iceland, Scotland and New Zealand.

So, if films like The Princess Bride and Legend are your cup of tea, you are going to love Stardust. If not, this film might change your mind a bit because it is darker overall. And hey, it’s got unicorns!

9/10

Suzie Lackey