One can't deny that Hollywood has hit something of a slump lately. Crappy sequels, spoofs, and uninspired remakes are keeping Joe SixPack going to the theaters, but what about the rest of us? It's rare that something really captures the imagination and rekindles that feeling of "move magic." 2007's Stardust was quite successful in that regard.
Whimsical, packed with action, and creative from the get-go, Stardust is based on the novel by author Neil Gaiman. It's not entirely a faithful representation of his original work, but comparisons aside, the film is simply too good to pass up. It's a blast from start to finish and quite honestly it has quickly become one of my favorite fantasy adventure films. It's a charming, swashbuckling adventure with loads of humor, and if you haven't seen it before then you're missing out on one hell of an experience.
Stardust begins in the town of Wall, England during an undisclosed time period. The thing that makes Wall such a fascinating place is the fact that it's bordered by a stone fence said to be the portal to another world. This other world is the kingdom of Stormhold and it's a place where magic and mystery awaits at every turn. Naturally with such an alluring place just on the other side of a wall, it's too much for one Dunstan Thorn (Ben Barnes) to resist. He weasels his way past the wall's guard and soon finds himself in the company of a beautiful woman (Kate Magowan). Nine months later he's delivered an unexpected baby back at his home in Wall.
From this point the story jumps forward in time. In the kingdom of Stormhold the king is dying and he decrees that his successor will be one of his bloodline who touches a ruby and restores its color. It's this magic that sends the gem hurtling towards the stars and knocks one of them down to earth. The shooting star was witnessed by none other than Tristan Thorn (Dunstan's son) and Victoria, the snobbish high society girl he desires. Tristan makes the promise that he would bring the fallen star to Victoria (Sienna Miller) as a tribute to his love for her. This undertaking is far more than Tristan could have bargained for.
Tristan soon finds himself in the presence of the fallen star, a beautiful young maiden named Yvaine (Claire Danes). He sets out to bring Yvaine back to Victoria, but is soon caught up in a quest to save her. Yvaine is being pursued by the bloodline of Stormhold due to her possession of the ruby, and by a sinister witch (Michelle Pfeiffer) who wants nothing more than to eat her heart and regain her youth. Tristan's adventure helps him grow from a boy to a man and it's a journey far greater than he could have ever hoped to achieve in his old life.
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