|
I think likeable characters are essential for a film of this type to work - check. A Star comes to Earth and what occurs next (and throughout the film) is unpredictable (well, for the most part), very funny and touching. Do yourself a favor and watch this movie. Although a fantasy, it is so much more with wonderful performances from all leads.
It is truly humorous, sarcastic and does not take its self too seriously at all. Of course the storyline and plot are equally well done. This movie totally surprised me. The acting is excellent and the characters are well developed and intriguing. This movie reminded me of the mini series the 10th Kingdom, to those of you who are familiar with the tenth kingdom this is 10 times shorter (lol) 10 times well done and 10 times as good. I for some reason cast this movie off as a wast of time but oh was i mistaken. I loved it.
and then seeing a movie made out of his imaginings. "The Making of" feature, with extensive input from writer Neal Gaimon - who also seems to have had just as much fun envisioning the story and writing it. Extras are just sufficiently lavish for fans, but not so much that they run onto another disc.
It has something of the same skewed fairy-tale sensibility of "The Princess Bride", and features a plot involving (in no particular order) a captive princess under the spell of a gypsy witch, a star fallen out of the heavens, a callow young man who loves above his station, a gloriously wicked witch with a penchant for turning humans into livestock and vice versa, and a dying king whose throne will go to whoever is the last of his sons left standing after killing the others. Robert DeNiro obviously had a splendid time with that character, and Michelle Pfeiffer as the endlessly inventive but constantly frustrated witch is an absolute hoot. "Stardust" is a slight and amusing amalgam of a movie, beautifully cast and richly garnished with comic/bizarre (or bizarrely comic) elements and props from a warehouse where bits of Victoriana are jumbled promiscuously together with bizarre inventions and devices from Terry Gilliam's "Brazil".
Clair Danes shines (literally) as the fallen star, whom the initially bumbling country boy-hero Tristan (Charlie Cox) comes to realize is the one that he really loves.All in all, an enjoyable diversion, although oriented a little more towards the adult end of the "suitable for family viewing" scale. This magical kingdom is just on the other side of a tall stone wall from a perfectly ordinary village in rural 19th century Britain.
Oh, and there is a lightening-hunting pirate ship with a captain named Shakespeare, whose swash-buckling has a distinct swish about it, since he has a not-terribly-well-concealed fondness for wearing lacy underwear.
Similar feel to the "Princess Bride", but I like this one a little better. This was one of the best movies I have seen in a long time. The cast and story are top notch.
There is one scene where an annoying salesman (Ricky Gervasi) meets his end that makes me laugh every time I watch it. Cameo appearance by Peter O'Toole, but this movie is so much more than the people in it. This film uses the time honored talent of DeNiro and Michelle Pheiffer, along with relative new comer Claire Danes. I mention this becuase I cannot recall ever laughing at a death scene. It's well edited, acted, and has several twists, turns and surprises. This unusual fantasy story line unfolds brilliantly. I found it complicated, and requiring attention and thought.
|
