Boy saves girl, becomes King, and they live happily ever after… That’s Stardust, in one sentence. To add just one other sentence to expand the plot summary would be a complex task.

This star-studded fantasy film, “Stardust,” is a love story based on a novel written by Neil Gaiman.

Tristan (Charlie Cox) is an accidental love-child who wants to win the heart of Victoria (Sienna Miller). He promises to bring back a fallen star to marry her.

Tristan finds himself on the other side of “the wall,” where a different magical world exists. He finds the star, only to learn that the star is Yvaine (Claire Danes), a blonde beauty, who is hurt. As Tristan tries to bring her back to the village to get Victoria’s hand in marriage, he finds himself in a game of Amazing Race – only it takes place in a magical world.

An evil witch Lamia (Michelle Pfeiffer) desperately searches for the fallen star. Lamia tries to locate and kill the fallen star because her heart is the only thing that can bring back her youth and beauty.

At the same time, Lord Stormhold’s (Peter O’Toole) sons are looking for Yvaine who is wearing the precious stone that they need, to become the next King.

Tristan and Yvaine, however, are captured by a pirate Captain Shakespeare (Robert De Niro), but they have a good time with him. Robert De Niro’s unexpectedly flamboyant character is one to watch.

The movie delivers more than it seems on the surface. It definitely is a movie you could if you had to take your niece out or even if you’re among your friends.

But there wasn’t anything new or original about this film and that’s probably because it is based on a book. The boy-saves-helpless-girl story has been selling for as long as we can remember, so why would movie-makers try something new? But the truth is we really don’t need more stories like this. It’s been done millions of times. How about a girl-saves-boy-and-the-world story for a change?

3 out of 5 stars






Related Stories: