Stars all the way

Stardust



Directed by: Matthew Vaughn
Starring: Charlie Cox, Ian McKellen, Sienna Miller, Peter O'Toole, Mark Strong, Michelle Pfeiffer, Claire Danes, Robert De Niro

Stardust. Not the gossip magazine about the Hindi film industry. It's a fairy tale of 2007. This is strange actually; the film does not offer anything new in terms of content, it's the typical grandmother's tale, there's no post-modern sensibilities to a fairy tale, something that Shrek so brilliantly utilised.
The film begins as a conventional fairy tale and ends as one, as happily ever after. Yet, the film is fantastic. You want to see it all over again.
Like all fantasy stories about a real protagonist, this tale also takes place in a parallel universe.
Tristarn has a connection with the 'other world' that exists on the other side of the wall in his village. But that he does not know yet. He loves Victoria and would do anything to prove his love. So, he embarks upon a journey to find a fallen star to bring it back to his lady love. Here begins his adventure, and yours.
An evil old witch and her two sisters are also after the star, which would restore their beauty and eternal youth. So are two princes, though solely for different reasons.
And the star is not a lump of celestial rock, but a beautiful woman. Now, that complicates matters, fuels a love story and leads to a happily ever after ending (actually spoken by the story’s narrator Ian McKellen!!)
English countryside always looked good on screen, it’s true here as well (it’s actually Scotland!). The special effects are top-class, though the film never tries to over-do it. Just what is needed.
And most importantly, being a fairy story, the film refuses to brood and dwell over any serious issues, it’s neither Lord of the Rings, nor Harry Potter, remember...
And what’s more, the film is tinged with heart-warming humour, and it is maintained throughout.
The star of the starry affair is certainly Michelle Pfeiffer as the witch Lamia, with the perfect make-up of an old hag.
But it’s Robert De Niro who charms us as ‘queen’ Captain Shakespeare, a perfectly camp role done to perfection that can give Captain Jack Sparrow a run for his money.
A beautiful film every which way. Perhaps not for the children... But these days children know more than they are supposed to, don’t they?
Recommended for those young at heart.
Go watch it!!!