Stardust Review

Let's into the magical world of “Stardust” not to be confused with the David Bowie biography.  Henry Cavill didn’t have a major role in it but he looked great as a blonde and had a funny moment at the end. Spoiler Alert! I won’t spill all the secrets, trust me, there’s plenty of drama, romance and unexpected twists awaiting you.   

Released in 2007, “Stardust” is a fantasy film that transports us to an English village nestled against a stone wall. This wall separates the mundane town from the enchanting kingdom of Stormhold. Our adventure begins when a young man named Dunstan Thorne, cleverly crosses over the wall into a bustling marketplace.

And who does he encounter there? None other than Una, an enslaved princess who offers him a glass of snowdrop in exchange for a kiss. But let’s be real—things escalate beyond a mere kiss. Una, feeling trapped in her trailer, decides this might be her last chance for some
company. Nine months later, a guard delivers a baby to Dunstan, and he names the child Tristan.

But wait, there’s more! The film gets an extra dose of magic with Ian McKellen (yes, Magneto himself) narrating the tale. Eighteen years later, the ailing King of Stormhold hurls a ruby into the sky, proclaiming that his successor will be the first of his sons to retrieve it. But here’s the twist: the gem collides with a star, and both plummet to the earth, landing in Stormhold. Yes, I know—it’s a fantasy, after all!

In the quaint town of Wall, where regular folks reside, Tristan portrayed by Charlie Cox, finds himself smitten with Victoria. She might seem out of his league, but there’s a glimmer of hope—maybe she secretly likes him or enjoys the attention he showers upon her. When Tristan and Victoria witness the falling star, he makes a bold promise: he’ll retrieve it in exchange for her hand in marriage. Victoria’s response? “Bet!” But there’s a catch: he has until the week’s end, or she’ll marry Humphrey (played by Henry Cavill). Can’t blame her for keeping her options open, right? We’ve only glimpsed Humphrey once, but fear not—the movie remains entertaining even without his frequent appearances!

So, here’s where the story takes an intriguing twist: Tristan and Victoria aren’t the only ones who witness the falling star. Princes Primus (played by Jason Flemyng) and Septimus (portrayed by Mark Strong) also embark on individual quests to find the elusive celestial stone. Meanwhile, Tristan is determined to discover a way beyond the wall that separates his world from the magical realm.

But wait, there’s a vigilant guard ensuring everyone stays segregated—because, you know, magical boundaries and all that. Tristan confides in his father about his plan to cross over to the other side of the wall. His father, in turn, shares his own tale of how he accomplished this daring feat and how Tristan came into existence. Interestingly, Tristan had never asked about his mother before—perhaps a bit ditzy on both their parts?

Now, here’s where the magic truly ignites: Dunstan produces a Babylon candle and hands it to his son. He is told that where ever he wants to be is where the candle will take him when he lights it. Tristan then lights the candle and is instantly transported to the fallen star. And guess what? The star isn’t just any celestial object—it’s a woman named Yvaine, portrayed by Claire Danes. Talk about a plot twist! 

Tristan, armed with a magical chain, claims the fallen star—none other than Yvaine—and intends to present her to Victoria. Meanwhile, three ancient witch sisters hatch a sinister plan: they seek the star’s heart to regain their lost youth and powers. The eldest sister, Lamia (played by Michelle Pfeiffer), devours a leftover heart fragment from a previous star and sets off to find Yvaine.

Now, picture this: Yvaine, unaccustomed to walking (like a toddler who’d rather snack than move), grows weary. Tristan, ever the resourceful hero, chains her to a tree and promises to return with food. But fate has other plans. A unicorn—yes, a unicorn—frees Yvaine and leads her to an inn conjured by Lamia, designed to ensnare the star. Cue chaos!

Lamia’s illusory magical inn unwittingly attracts Prince Primus, who inadvertently thwarts her star-killing scheme. And from that moment on, it’s pure entertainment—a fairy tale rollercoaster with a guaranteed happy ending.

Now, let’s address the burning question: Is “Stardust” the greatest fantasy movie ever? Well, not quite. But it does have its endearing moments (including Henry Cavill’s presence) and an honorable mention goes to Robert De Niro as Captain Shakespeare, the charismatic leader of a flying pirate ship. Yes, it sounds a tad absurd, but hey, it’s fantasy—De Niro steals the show effortlessly. I highly recommend watching the film, if not for the intricate storyline, then at least for the captivating visual effects. It’s just the right amount of magic! 

I give this movie 3 out of 5 acorns.