Stardust Review - Take 2

After reading Dan's review of Stardust, I felt like I had to straighten a few things out. First, I've read some of Gaiman's work and have thought it was mostly OK - nothing earth shattering. I never read Stardust and couldn't get past volume four of 'Sandman' (even though I really like the 'Lucifer' spinoff).

The preview for this movie was not terribly exciting. But it was a Gaiman work turned for the screen, so I figured if I could see it for free then I probably would. Lo and behold, we were invited to a press screening for the movie (at the Tivoli) a full two months before it was due for the screen. And they were serving a free lunch. So I was down for it.

After a tasting lunch and some light conversation with some local movie reviewers, we sat down to watch the movie.

So let me put it in perspective - I wasn't expecting much, and I really went for the free food.

The movie was...incredible. The action begins in the very first scene, and plays on throughout. I have to agree with Dan - it's the next Princess Bride, just minus the slapstick. The story is fantastic, the effects wonderful and the acting is perfect for the film. While Michelle Pfeiffer and Claire Danes are terrific - Danes pulls off a flawless English accent - Robert DeNiro steals the show as the cross-dressing macho captain of a ship that sails the sky hunting lighting bolts. The "Greek Chorus" is both hysterical and serious, constantly being refreshed by the prince brothers Primus through Septus. Ricky Jervais makes a cameo appearance where he's his usual hysterical self. It's a wonderfully original story full of action, comedy and a sweet (but not sickeningly so) love story.

I'll re-post this review, or mention it again when the film comes out, but I think this film may be the sleeper hit of the year - you should see this movie whether you're a Gaiman fan or not. In fact, I'm pretty sure we'll be able to sell Sandman to folks coming in looking for more from the author of Stardust instead of the other way around.

-b