Stardust Shines Brightly
Clever Fairy Tale Makes No Secret That It's For Adults
Based on the popular graphic novel, "Stardust" takes the viewer on a magical journey full of wicked witches and grown-up humor.
With their cannibalistic witches and giants, homicidal wolves and creatures that would give Stephen King nightmares for a week, it's amazing that most of us grow up reading fairy tales such as "Jack and the Bean Stalk" and "Little Red Riding Hood." Found in most libraries in the children's literature section, these stories contain some pretty rough material.
That's why "Stardust" is such a refreshing change-of-pace for adult viewers. Based on the graphic novel by Neil Gaiman, this fantasy adventure makes no secret that it's intended for mature audiences only. Despite the glossy teaser posters, this film definitely is not kid stuff.
At the far end of one quiet English village lies a wall separating the townspeople from the magical land that occupies the other side. Though a vigilant but frustrated guardian (David Kelly) stands watch by a gap in the wall, determined young men like Dunstan Thorne (Nathanial Parker) find ways to cross over into the other realm.
Dunstan's adventures on the other side include an encounter with a witch's beautiful hostage and produces a baby, which is delivered to Dunstan's doorstep 9 months later. His son, whom Dunstan names Tristan (Charlie Cox), grows into an awkward young man who lacks the confidence to get what he wants, namely the beautiful Victoria (Sienna Miller).
Promising to prove his devotion by bringing Victoria a fallen star, Tristan uses a magical candle to transport himself to the spot where the star has landed. Mysteriously, the celestial object has turned into a beautiful young lady named Yvaine (Claire Daines), who isn't at all happy that Tristan has landed on her new legs.
Tristan isn't the only one seeking the star, however. Three witches, led by Lamia (a deliciously evil Michelle Pfeiffer), want to capture the young girl and consume her heart. In this way, the three aged witches can regain their lost youth and beauty. The sons of an aging monarch (Peter O'Toole) also need to find the star to claim the throne for themselves.
As he tries to find a way to bring Yvaine to England, Tristan and his new friend have a series of adventures, including an encounter with Captain Shakespeare (Robert De Niro), the rugged commander of a sky ship that captures lightning in a bottle. The more time that he spends with Yvaine, the more Victoria pales in comparison to the sweet and beautiful girl that the star has become.
Wickedly funny and more than just a bit naughty, "Stardust" is a fairy tale for grownups that's clever and entertaining. Michele Pfeiffer and Robert De Niro do their best to steal the movie away from the co-stars and even Peter O'Toole delivers some killer lines as a monarch whose sons keep dying before he can pass his crown over to them.
Scheduled for an August 10 release, "Stardust" is nothing short of tremendous and one of the best surprises of the summer movie season. It's rated PG-13 for some fantasy violence and risque humor.
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