Saturday, August 11, 2007


Aug. 11, 2007 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) --
When William Goldman wrote 'The Princess Bride,' his stated intention was to write a fairy tale with all the boring parts left out.

'Stardust,' at least the movie version, is much the same idea. And although it does not boast the charm that made 'The Princess Bride' so great, it certainly has the sense of adventure and wit that made it good.

Based on a novel by Neil Gaiman, the story tells of an English shop boy of unusual birth who goes on a quest to prove his love. The adventures he finds while on this journey, as a narrator helpfully informs us, turn him into a man.

Charlie Cox stars as Tristan, a kindhearted village dork in love with the local beauty (Sienna Miller). To show her his devotion, he vows to bring her back a fallen star that has landed on the other side of the wall that runs near their town.

No one is allowed to cross the wall, and no one ever has (except his father, nine months before Tristan was born, nudge, nudge).

Tristan manages to get to the other side, which he discovers is a kingdom full of magic. And the first magic thing he sees there is the star, which now has the shape of a woman and a generic English accent.

Claire Danes plays Yvaine, the star, who is essentially kidnapped by Tristan (it's best if we don't think about that) to be brought back to his unworthy true love. Yvaine protests, but Tristan promises to make her a star again. In Hollywood, it's all about being a star.

Also trying to track down the star are the devious sons of the land's dying king -- the power passes to whichever male heir possesses the ruby she wears around her neck -- and a witch who wants to cut out her heart and eat it. Whoever does so will gain eternal life.

The 400-year-old witch who is trying to regain her youth and beauty is played by Michelle Pfeiffer. She is in a legitimate role, but the rest of the movie is peppered with enough stars in cameos as to raise concerns about stunt casting.

Peter O'Toole plays the dying king, Robert De Niro is a pirate captain who is not, alas, what he seems (won't filmmakers ever tire of making this particular joke?), Ricky Gervais plays a merchant who is very Ricky Gervaisian, Ian McKellen is the narrator, and Rupert Everett is one of the king's sons briefly in contention for succession. Very briefly.

The tale is told with a good bit of humor, although the tone of the jokes is often more sophisticated and darker than the tone of the rest of the movie -- a trap 'The Princess Bride' avoided.

The ghosts of slain princes, for instance, are funny, but they feel out of place. Better is a gag about a billy goat that is turned into a man, only to retain some of his goatish qualities.

Matthew Vaughn's direction can be heavy-handed at times, especially with the sound, which is occasionally punishingly loud. But the heaviness of the direction serves an eventual end: It prepares us for the climax and denouement, which would otherwise seem overwrought but turn out, as filmed, to be quite wonderful.

We may be exposed to more computer-generated imagery than is healthy for the average adult, but the movie is so smart and fun that its two-hour length never seems a moment too long.

The picture may not be 'The Princess Bride,' but it is an excellent fairy tale for all ages -- enjoyable, romantic and sprinkled with just the right amount of stardust.

Contact Daniel Neman at (804) 649-6408 or  dneman@timesdispatch.com.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0177-18829934


Delivered by Newstex LLC
via theFinancials.com


Giuen Media
Advertising Agency
Sales and Promotion
 http://giuen.wordpress.com