Stardust [based on the book] by Neil Gaiman dir. by Matthew Vaughn

I read this book a while ago and really enjoyed it, so I wasn’t too sure if I’d enjoy the film. You know the way they always change stuff. But I try to pretend that it is a brand new story and not based on any book, course that doesn’t always work, but I do try.

Anyway, I’m happy to report that Stardust is just a lovely film. It is the story of a young man who goes on a quest into the faerie world to bring back a star in order to prove his love. Only across “the wall” he finds that the star is actually a woman, and that there are others looking to find her, and for slightly more nefarious reasons.

But to be honest the plot isn’t hugely important. What is more important is the style of the film. It looks lovely and has just the right blend of humour, fantasy, and danger. I was a bit worried about Cox when I say the trailer, he looked like an imitation of Orlando Bloom and seeing as I’m not the world’s biggest Bloom fan, that isn’t a good thing. But he was really great. Likewise I was doubtful about the de Niro factor, but he proved me wrong and I really enjoyed his scenes. Okay, I enjoyed the other pirates reacting to him. Excellent job by all concerned.

Of course the biggest issue was probably always going to be the role of Yvaine, the star, and I have to say that Danes was absolutely perfect here. And he accent was spot on too. I loved her little mannerisms and her humour. Two thumbs up.

And all of the princes were great. Dead or alive I loved them all.

So, what amn’t I happy with, well the character of Victoria was a bit sketchy, she seemed reduced to being “the shallow pretty one” which she wasn’t in the book. And I didn’t like the ending as much as the book’s. But still, all in all, highly enjoyable and really really worth watching.

Stainless Steel Droppings ; A Medium of Images