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| Movie Name: |
Stardust |
| Grade: |
A |
| Date Posted: |
8/30/07 |
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“A Star is Born”
“Stardust,” a fanciful fairy tale with impressive special effects and a jaunty cast, is glorious. Combining mythology, British gallows humor, computer generated virtual realities and a heart that glows literally and figurative, “Stardust” is this generation’s “Princess Bride.”
A dying king of a mystical land (Peter O’Toole) sends out an enchanted diamond to the universe. The legend contends that the remaining male of his bloodline who holds the diamond and turns it into a ruby is the rightful heir. The sons (four remaining) murder each other for the kingdom, causing the dead brothers to become poltergeists trapped on this plane.
The magical charm smacks into a star (a celestial being in human form, played by Claire Danes) and the star crashes to earth. She picks up not only the diamond, but a hapless, charming mortal (Charlie Cox) who becomes her unwitting protector. Not only do the remaining princes vigilantly seek the diamond around her neck, but three witches (led by Michelle Pfeiffer in butt-ugly makeup) need to possess the star’s heart. According to legend, when a star’s heart glows and is devoured, its power will reignite the witches’ youth and bring immortality.
The plot defies description when attempted in print, yet on screen shocking unfolds simply and unpretentiously. Director Matthew Vaughn (“Layer Cake”) and co-writer Jane Goldman do a masterful job converting Neil Gaiman’s cult novel. There are many witty moments, particularly a scene involving the prolonged death and reanimation of a character due to a voodoo doll. The humorous ribbings of the princes by their dead brothers also lend itself to Monty Python-esque comedy. Even the handling of a character that walks the line between hilarious and stereotypically offensive works due to off-beat casting.
Pfeiffer sinks her teeth into the devilish role of head witch. After last month’s juicily wicked performance as the former Mrs. Baltimore Crabs in “Hairspray,” she delights in maliciousness.
Angelic but caustic at first, Danes embodies the fish-out-of water with enthusiasm and naivety. Her chemistry with Cox is the source of the film’s heart. Cox, a relative newcomer, brings boyish charm to his role.
The visual department presents corporal worlds and inventions that rival Terry Gilliam’s epic “The Adventures of Baron Munchausen.”
A delight from the first moment to the last, “Stardust” is a black comedy, darling romance and exciting adventure all wrapped together. Grade A.
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| Posted by: bouynxdor |
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