STARDUST
AND WE WATCHED HAPPILY EVER AFTER ….
By Vishal Verma
Rating:- * * *
What is it?
Based on the acclaimed illustrated novel by Neil Gaiman and Charles Vess, ‘Stardust’ is the transformation from prose to reel by the critically acclaimed director Matthew Vaughn(Layer Cake) that takes viewers to the mystical land of Stormhold, where stars walk, ships fly, and magic is real.
Matthew Vaughan weaves a mature fairy tale with elements of romance, horror, and comedy which is likely to appeal to children aged from 6 to 60.
Although Vaughn journey from London's criminal underworld to the hidden kingdom of Stardust has enough content to make it a hesitant choice for young children. Some of the humor is designed keeping the older audience in mind like the cross-dressing and attitude of gay Captain Shakespeare played by De Niro. But in the end it’s very much a fairy tale in the true sense of its term.
Wanna date the Star……!, As a fantasy romance, Stardust contains all the requisite elements: true love, mystical creatures, magic-wielding harridans, shape changing animals, and a quest. This makes it a winner.What is it all about?
Tristan (Charlie Cox – excellent) is a young Englishman who longs to win the hand of Victoria (Sienna Miller- charming). She makes a bargain with him: If he will bring her a shooting star fallen to Earth, she will reject her other suitor in his favor. Tristan agrees and begins a journey across a mysterious wall and into the realm of Stormhold, where magic holds sway. The fallen star, Yvaine (Claire Danes- effective), walks and talks and isn't happy about having been knocked out of the firmament. Tristan promises to find her a way home if she will accompany him to Victoria. But others are after Yvaine as well. The witch Lamia (Michelle Pfeiffer- outstanding) wants to cut out her heart in order to gain eternal life and youth. And Septimus (Mark Strong), the heir to Stormhold's throne, needs a necklace Yvaine wears to finalize his coronation. Friends are few and far between, but a reliable one is found in the person of the cross-dressing Captain Shakespeare (Robert De Niro- simply brilliant), who commands a lightning-collecting airship (borrowed from the Time Bandits!).
What to look out for?
The set design successfully replicates the feel of the book. Combined with Ian McKellan's silky narration, Stardust transports viewers to another world. The special effects are apt (like a pair of elephants in a bird’s cage). Director Matthew Vaughn successfully makes Stormhold into a traditional fantasy setting.
The movie features a winning performance by most of its star cast.
Cox delivers a striking performance.
Pfeiffer does her villainy with her tongue planted firmly in cheek. She is vice, not scary.
But the movie comes alive with the flamboyance of none other than Robert De Niro as the ship captain, the actor steals the show.What not?
Unfortunately the body count is somewhat high which makes the movie more palatable for an adult audience. The violence, though, is not gruesome, becomes much for a fantasy.