Movie Review: “Stardust”
Release Date: 2007
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 127 minutes
This film, adapted from Neil Gaiman’s novel of the same title written in 1998 is the springboard for director Matthew Vaughn’s fantasy. In an age where nearly all films utilize CG (computer graphics) effects and many are completely composed by computers, Vaughn is known for his “less is more” approach. He views CG as “a prop to the story, not the other way around.” Big names like Michelle Pfeiffer (“Hairspray” 2007) and Robert de Niro (“Meet the Parents” 2000) add familiarity to the primarily British cast, with Claire Danes (“Romeo and Juliet” 1996) and Charlie Cox (“The Merchant of Venice” 2004) bringing younger fans to the theaters.
The film begins with a letter to the local science community of the 1800s, asking about the possibility of a hidden realm within England’s borders. The scientists dismiss the letter, replying that of course the idea was impossible, but the narrator (Ian McKellen) states the scientists were mistaken after all. The other dimension actually borders the small village of Wall, so named for the wall that was kept under surveillance at all times.
A local village boy startles the guard and crosses over the Wall, seeing firsthand the secret land of Stormhold. He meets a beautiful, mysterious young woman in a strange bazaar. Nine months later, this is how the main character, Tristan Thorn, (Charlie Cox) enters the story: in a basket on his father’s doorstep.
He is a fairly ordinary boy, and in an attempt to woo his love, Victoria (Sienna Miller, “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra” 2009), he offers to bring her back a grounded shooting star. This means crossing the Wall and discovering just how different things are in Stormhold.
Magical transporting candles, witches, pirates, princes and thieves make for an exciting, original tale. Although Stormhold is a fantasy world, the story really does not focus on the mechanics of magic, aside from a fallen star granting immortality. The story does not have to justify its magics; the world across the Wall just is. This allows for more character development and for the audience to see how surreal power like magic effects an imaginary population like Stormhold. Again, it focuses on the people, not the magic.
The scoring is absolutely fantastic, just the right mix of heart pounding, adrenaline-pumping, soaring music to match the ethereal, celestial elements of the movie. It has the same excitement to it as did the Lord of the Rings soundtrack and Harry Potter music; very well suited to the fantasy genre.
There is some gore to the film—a major part of the plot includes seven princes all trying to kill each other for the throne—but there is plenty of humor to offset even the most grotesque moments. The evil in the film, while dark at times, helps make the heroes shine all the brighter, and makes their triumphs more meaningful overall.
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