Stardust

For all those fantasy flicks/ fairy tales that claimed to be different, but turned out to be run-of-the-mill...this is originality, people! Based on the novel with the same name, by Neil Gaiman…the movie veers from the original, condenses the plot and still manages to deliver the goods.

The protagonist is Tristan Dunst (Charlie Cox), the quintessential country bumpkin who lives in a place called Wall (so named after a wall that separates the village from an alternate magical world). An ordinary shop-boy, he hopes to win the affections of the most-sought after girl in the village, Victoria (Sienna Miller, looking adequately snooty and empty-headed). She treats him like dirt and prefers the pretentious and well-turned out Humphrey. And Tristan in one of his many foolish attempts to woo Victoria promises her the stars or to be more precise…A Star, a single fallen star.

And thus begins his quest…

What our earnest hero doesn’t realize is that the Star is infact an injured, smart-talking girl called Yvaine(Claire Danes). And while she hasn’t exactly fallen from the sky, she was pretty much thrown to the ground by a ruby flung into the sky by a dying King (Peter O'Toole). Now why would he do a silly thing like that? The King is the ruler of a place called Stormhold. And his dying wish is that whichever of his surviving sons brings back the stone.....he shall be the next ruler of Stormhold. Easy-peasy!

So there’s Tristan…and now some throne-hungry kings out to get the star. But wait.....there’s someone else: a coven of three ancient and powerful witches known as the Lilim. Devouring the Star’s heart can restore their lost beauty and youth. So Lamia (Michelle Pfeiffer), the eldest and most powerful witch joins the mad race too.

Tristan and Yvaine have a rip-roaring adventure. They encounter unicorns, humans morphed into goats and ofcourse, Captain Shakespeare’s (Robert De Niro) flying ship. They burn Babylon candles, learn to dance, handle swords…and to top it all, get a spanking makeover too!

While Stardust doesn’t take itself as seriously as other fantasy flicks, it’s a delightful mix of a dream-cast, fabulous sets, seriously funny moments and a whimsical love-story. Charlie Cox is likeable, right down to his infectious smile and straightup honesty. Claire Danes shines (…and not just because she’s a star!!...couldn't resist that pun!) and renders a quip-a-minute. While Michelle Pfeiffer’s pixen features make her most suitable for the role of a fairy queen……she does resounding justice to the evil, conniving head witch. And then ofcourse, there is the ever-reliable Robert de Niro. As the crusty, rough-talking Captain Shakespeare who has a mighty secret in his Hollywood style-closet, he is a fantastic surprise.

In all, a good film that renews my love for all things extraordinary and unbelievable!