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- Rated: PG-13 for fantasy violence and some risqué humor
- Cast: Charlie Cox, Claire Danes, Michelle Pfeiffer, Robert De Niro, Sienna Miller, Peter O'Toole, Mark Strong
- Writer: Neil Gaiman (novel), Jane Goldman and Matthew Vaughn (screenplay)
- Director: Matthew Vaughn
- Distributor: Paramount
- Original Year of Release: 2007
- Extras: Good Omens: The Making of Stardust. Blooper Reel, Deleted Scenes, Trailer
STARDUST
By
Robert T. Trate
December 17, 2007
STARDUST
© Paramount Home Video
Tristan (Charlie Cox) attempts to win the affection of the town beauty, Victoria (Sienna Miller), by promising to bring back the star to her that they both just watched fall to Earth. Tristan must cross over the forbidden wall and into unknown to bring back the star and win his lady.
‘Stardust’ came and went at the box office with little fireworks. Perhaps it was the Don LaFontaine’s type voice over reading the single word reviews (“Magical!”) to us on TV that made us feel that we had been there, done that, before. Perhaps the movie going public had its fill of magical adventures last summer with a new Potter book and film. Maybe the movie going public needs a film to have been something they have seen before for them to take a chance on it. A paradox, true, but with all the sequels, threequels, sagas (meaning there are now four or more), and movie versions of TV shows, I don't think that I am far off in assuming that most people had no clue what ‘Stardust’ was about. To them, it wasn't one to see last summer.
It’s a shame because many people missed out on an original, fun and tie-in free film. There were no toys for ‘Stardust’, no fast food chains for ‘Stardust’ and certainly not a pre-established fan base for ‘Stardust’ either. There was a novel by comic book legend Neil Gaiman, but I am sure ‘Stardust’ isn't on every book shelf in America, like the book about “the boy who lived” is. This, to me, is what made ‘Stardust’ so appealing. It was fresh and new. I wasn't comparing it to the previous one, or the TV show, and certainly not to the book (I never even heard about it, though I do know who Neil Gaiman is).
This story is fantasy fun, very much in the realm of Ron Howard’s ‘Willow’ and Ridley Scott’s ‘Legend’. ‘Stardust’ is a story about a young man’s journey to become the man he has always wanted to be. Charlie Cox as Tristan is both naïve and awkward and fits the role perfectly. His chemistry with Claire Danes, who is the “star” in human form, is perfect. On a whole you could not see the two of them pulling off a major box office release together, which, perhaps, is another reason why no one went to see the film, but here in the confines of this story they pull it off. Their relationship is very much in the vein of Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant in ‘Bringing up Baby’. They fight, bicker and constantly get into trouble. It is these tiny moments that solidify their relationship and affection for one another.
The supporting cast doesn't really hurt the film either. Michelle Pfeiffer, who once again is playing a witch, is evil, sexy and deliciously charming in role that seems made for her. She turns her emotions around at the end enough that she lures you into thinking you know how the film will end. Yet, in the cleverness of the character she brings surprises to the story revealing how much fun ‘Stardust’ really is.
When it comes to Robert De Niro performances in movies often I feel that he just plays, well, De Niro. There never is any real reaching or stretching of the actor for my taste (this started around the time of ‘Casino’). When I saw he was in ‘Stardust’ and playing a sinister flying pirate, I thought we were going to get De Niro the tough guy flying pirate who talks out of the side of his face and scowls. Didn't happen. De Niro, in short, was awesome. It made me appreciate him on a whole new level. Yes, the character was phenomenal, but any one else playing that part and there wouldn't have been the surprises or delights I received by watching De Niro and expecting the same type of character that he always plays. Clearly De Niro needs more roles where he can stretch as an actor. He isn't getting them.
Ricky Gervais of ‘the Office’ (UK) and ‘Extras’ plays Ferdy the Fence in a small role. He plays each line for every laugh that he can squeeze out of it. Also, in small scene stealing role, is Mark Williams (Ron’s father from Harry Potter, Arthur Weasley) who is a goat that has been transformed into a human named Billy. .
The down side of the film is the supporting cast or “other” villains outside of Pfeiffer. Peter O'Toole as Stronghold’s dying king, has some great moments with his sinister sons but is gone as quick as he arrived. Mark Strong then emerges and steps forward as Septimus, the true villain of the tale, who is competent for the role but fails to make anything about his performance memorable. Rupert Everett, who plays one of his brothers, steals many of the scenes from Strong in his limited screen time. Thankfully, Pfeiffer and her quest to capture and devour the star are central to the main plot.
This film is fun like movies are supposed to be. It’s a shame that the movie going public didn't see it. All because it was something that they hadn't either experienced before or hadn't heard of before, they truly missed out on something new and original. ‘Stardust’ was a film that wasn't force fed to the public five minutes after they got home and turned on the TV, opened a magazine or logged onto the computer. Now you do have the chance to sit back and watch it in the confines of your own home and enjoy a great film.
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