Stardust fails to dazzle

Stardust hits some familiar notes but many other original and surprising ones on its way to becoming one of the more creative fantasy films of recent years. It's not perfect, but it's witty and charming and should satisfy a range of adventure fans.

The story sounds absolutely cliché, but a lot of the individual elements are executed in new ways. A working-class young man named Tristan (Charlie Cox, Casanova) falls in love with an upper-class beauty named Victoria (Sienna Miller, Factory Girl), who requests he retrieve a fallen star in order to gain her hand in marriage. But it turns out the star is actually manifested in human form, as a woman named Yvaine (Claire Danes, Evening). Yvaine happens to possess a jewel that several different heirs to the royal throne desire. To top it off, a crew of witches believes Yvaine's heart represents eternal youth and they plan to eat it to get just that. All these groups eventually come into conflict, which supplies the remainder of the film's story.

Director Matthew Vaughn (Layer Cake) seems to provide a massive establishing shot of a gorgeous vista to start just about every scene, giving the film a vast, epic feel. Vaughn's use of vibrant colors in well-illuminated settings gives the film a sense of pleasant fun; this isn't some brooding Lord of the Rings-knockoff.

The script (co-written by Vaughn and Jane Goldman, Baddiel's Syndrome) is adapted from Neil Gaiman's (MirrorMask) award-winning novel. There's a whimsical feel that persists from the opening narration (voiced by none other than Gandalf himself, Ian Mckellen), which is reminiscent of another British wit-fest, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

One character who surprises (and probably provides the most amusing acting performance) is the initially gruff Captain Shakespeare (Robert DeNiro, The Good Shepherd). Shakespeare captures Tristan and Yvaine, but he's eventually revealed to be quite a softie, leading to a shockingly funny effeminate performance from DeNiro (capturing some of what made John Travolta so funny in Hairspray). DeNiro's dialogue sounds like it was crafted for a man with an English accent, which comes off a bit awkward thanks to DeNiro's far-from English accent. But, the upside of his casting is that it gives the role an added layer of meaning. Shakespeare has built up a lifetime reputation as a fearsome captain through illusion, but he really prefers a nice dress over a bloody swordfight, all the funnier in the context of DeNiro's own reputation as a tough guy being torn down in this role.

The other roles aren't nearly as innovative as Shakespeare, though the talented cast tries. Cox comes off as likable but bland as Tristan - his is the leas- inspired role of the film, a generic fantasy lead. Danes is peppy and cute as the fallen star Yvaine. Mark Strong (Sunshine) is effectively menacing as Prince Septimus, though his long dark hair does half the acting for him. Michelle Pfeiffer (Hairspray) as the main wicked witch Lamia is more snooty and condescending here than she was in her snappier and more overtly mean villain turn from Hairspray, which makes her performance here seem tame and subdued.

Stardust has a lot going for it, but a few things hold it back. The romance of the story does connect, but not strongly; this film works better as a clever spin on the standard fantasy film. And for all its ingenuity, the story does hit a lot of typical beats (do we really need the third-act misunderstanding to threaten the romance?).

Still, Stardust has many instances where it plays with our expectations in entertaining and fresh ways, it's funny, and it's a well-above-average fantasy film. It's worth a trip to the theater.

Contact reporter Dan Benamor at

diversions@dbk.umd.edu.