Posted: 08/19/2007

Stardust

(2007)

by Lauren Sepanski

Stardust came in number 4 it’s opening week behind Rush Hour 3 and two other films that came out at least a week ago. Despite the poorly ranked intake for it’s first week, the film’s demographic (if overweight, renaissance fair geeks is considered a demographic) helped knock Harry Potter down a notch. The people who would have seen Harry for the sixth time saw Stardust this week instead and I have to say right off the bat, I was pleasantly surprised.

Tristran, a shop boy played by Charlie Cox, would do anything to win the hand of his love, Victoria (Sienna Miller), even cross the forbidden wall to retrieve a fallen star. Upon arriving to the site he discovers the star is not a stone, but a girl. A very feisty, stubborn star named Yvaine (Claire Danes) finds herself on Earth, or rather a mystical realm beyond London. Tristran isn’t the only one who witnessed the star fall, an evil witch played by Michelle Pfeiffer, and a handful of Princes who seek the mystical jewel around Yvaine’s neck to become king. Along the way they meet unicorns, sky pirates, and estranged family members.

I am really upset Stardust did so poorly it’s first week in the box office. It has been called “A fairy tale for adults,” even though I had a 4 year-old screaming in my ear the whole movie, you cannot deny much of the draw to this film. Michelle Pfeiffer is wonderful and sexy in any film and if you can find a way to over look the fact that Robert De Niro plays a gay/cross dressing pirate, just goes to show that he is awesome in any role as well. At some points the story drags in a way that, if even for a moment, makes you pray for a montage. Fortunately, it only lasts a moment. It is a very cute, not too long, fun film, something that would absolutely be a good recommendation as one to see before heading back to school or just because it’s hot out and A/C is expensive.

Lauren Sepanski is a writer and film critic living in Hollywood.

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