Ben WhitcombStardust (2007)
October 26th 2008 23:42
Seeing as how this movie is a fantasy, I'm more inclined to like it because it is my favorite genre. I found this movie to be completely enjoyable from start to finish. It definitely could have been much more than it was, but it was still a grand adventure that I loved.
One thing that could have made this movie better was more convincing acting from the two leads. Don't get me wrong, they were very good for the most part, but it seemed like their performances kinda fell short when it was supposed to really count. One example is Claire Danes's(Yvaine) monologue about being in love with Tristan. It is a wonderfully written bit, but isn't as emotionally powerful as it should have been because Danes just wasn't that convincing in that moment. You may disagree with me, but that's how I feel. Charlie Cox's performance was much more believable during the climax, I thought. Up to that point the romance between Tristan and Yvaine just wasn't that believable, but by the end I was sold.
On the subject of the script. It is a faithful adaptation of the novel and the script is just so good. That being said, there are many moments where the wonderful script isn't done justice because of less than stellar acting. Mostly by the leads, like I said earlier.
The supporting actors are just superb though. With the likes of Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer, Ricky Gervais, and Ian McKellen, as the narrator, how can you go wrong? Actually lots could go wrong, but not so with this movie. Each of the previously listed supporting actors steal the scene every time they are on screen. Especially De Niro as a gay Pirate(Have you ever tried to get blood out of a silk shirt? Nightmare!)
I have to admit I was a little turned off by the movie the first time I watched it. I was caught off guard by it's whimsical, odd ball approach to what is basically a fairytale. After I watched it though I found myself thinking about it more and realized how well that approach worked for the movie. It added a much needed originality to an otherwise standard story. Without it the movie, and the book for that matter, would have been cast aside as just another adventure/fairytale and be ultimately very forgettable. The story is structured and paced very well and builds to a very exciting climax complete with the Happily Ever After.
I highly recommend this movie. It is a very family friendly film, but at the same time can be enjoyed by fans of the genre of all ages.
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