Stardust
Stardust has a glittering cast
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Tuesday, 16, Oct 2007 04:33
Directed by Matthew Vaughn, out October 19th, in cinemas, starring Claire Danes, Charlie Cox, Robert De Niro, Sienna Miller and Michelle Pfeiffer, 130 mins.
In a nutshell...
Fairytale, funny, enthralling, magical
What's it all about?
In a quiet English countryside town a young man called Tristan (Charlie Cox) promises Victoria (Sienna Miller), the object of his affections, that he will retrieve a fallen star by travelling into the unknown magical kingdom of Stormhold, in return for her hand in marriage.
However it soon becomes apparent that Tristan is not the only one seeking the star, which has transferred into a striking girl named Yvaine (Claire Danes). The three living sons of the dead king of Stormhold must retrieve the star to seize the throne whilst an evil witch, Lamia (Michelle Pfeiffer) desires it to achieve immortality and return her youthful looks.
During his quest Tristan encounters all kinds of weird and wonderful characters such as a sky pirate named Captain Shakespeare (Robert De Niro) and a shifty trader named Ferdy the Fence (Ricky Gervais). The adventure builds to an action-packed showdown where Tristan must succeed if he is to win his true love.
Who's in it?
In a film littered with A-list Hollywood actors, the young British actor, Charlie Cox, more than holds his own as the lead character and does an impressive job as the young foppish village lad who inevitable morphs into the swashbuckling hero. Having had little film experience in the past, Cox is definitely a star for the future and it won't be long until his picture will be adorning young girls' bedroom walls everywhere.
Whilst Cox's performance is impressive, it is the supporting cast that really sets the film alight. Michelle Pfeiffer brings established Hollywood talent to the story and is brilliant as the evil witch Lamia, who will scare and seduce the young audiences in equal measures. Robert De Niro plays a star turn as Captain Shakespeare and his continual transferral into the world of comedy shows no signs of relenting.
The two leading female roles disappoint slightly, Clare Danes' delivery of some of the dialogue is at times clumsy and on occasion a tad cringeworthy, while Sienna Miller isn't left with much to do with her one dimensional, rather boring character.
As an example...
"Hmm... Murdered by pirates, heart ripped out and eaten, or meet Victoria... Don't know which sounds more fun..." Yvaine (Clare Danes), the fallen star, debates which of the terrible events facing her sounds the most appealing.
Likelihood of a trip to the Oscars
Stardust will be a definite hit. It may well find larger success in the UK than the US box office, due to the mainly British cast and British director but it should delight audiences in equal measures across the pond. The fairytale storyline will appeal to younger audiences while the cast and comedic aspect of the film will entertain the older generations.
Chances of Oscar success are slim but BAFTA or Empire film awards will not be unexpected for Vaughn.
What the others say
"As one of those rare movies that has just about everything, Stardust deserves to be a big hit." - Ain't It Cool News
So is it any good?
Matthew Vaughn has produced the British family film of the summer. Stardust is an almost perfect fairytale experience. On first inspection the director of Layer Cake tackling Neil Gairman's novel of fallen stars, magical kingdoms and tales of love sounds like a complete disaster. However Vaughn pulls it off without a hitch. The introduction of Jane Goodman as a script writer appears a master stroke as the dialogue is pitched perfectly.
Cox plays the lead character well but he is outshone by his supporting cast. De Niro's character will live long in the memory and it appears he has now well and truly dedicated himself to comedy at whatever cost to his own personnel reputation. Michelle Pfeiffer plays the evil villain with usual style and grace. What really surprises in the film though is the comedy. The balance of action and laughs is just right but with the rich underlying cast of comedic British actors it is the comedy that sticks longer in the memory. Ricky Gervais, Rupert Everett, David Walliams, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Dexter Fletcher and Sarah Alexander all steal whichever scene they are in. Mark Strong also deserves significant praise for his portrayal of Prince Septimus, bent of retrieving the star to claim the throne of Stormhold.
Stardust covers all the possible bases as a family feel good film. Funnier and more entertaining than Harry Potter, this will be the real British family hit of the year. Pirates, witches, princes, fallen stars and goats pulling carriages, what more could you possibly ask for in a film? Vaughn has delivered a definite hit.
8 /10
Richard James
To watch the Stardust trailer, click here.
To watch the video for Rule The World, Take That's song from the Stardust soundtrack, click here.
"This movie is the best one I've seen all year... PS - My friend's name is Matthew Vaughn." - Rosa Virtanen
"Was LOADS of fun! :-) Loved the romance and adventure, and especially Rupert Everitt's stint as a ghost. Charlie was fantastic! What a great lead - he totally shone:-) ." Natalie Smith