stardust is a 2007 fantasy film directed by Matthew Vaughn and based on the 1999 novel by Neil Gaiman. It centers on a young man named Tristan (Charlie Cox), who enters the fantasy world of Stormhold to retrieve a fallen star so that Victoria (Sienna Miller), the woman he loves, will marry him. He meets Yvaine (Claire Danes), the star’s human form, and tries to bring her back to Victoria, while witches and the Princes of Stormhold chase after Yvaine and her power.
The film was moderately successful at the box office and received mostly positive reviews from critics, but it seemed to fade into recognition shortly after; Den of Geek even called it one of the most underrated movies of the year. In the years since its release, it has become more popular, especially in the wake of recent well-received Gaiman adaptations such as Good omens or the sandman. The film is a great mix of romance, fantasy and humor that is just as good now as it was on release. This is why it deserves a revisit.
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It’s an accessible fantasy
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While fantasy is often associated with intense movies like Under the spell of the Ring trilogy, with lots of information, characters and history to remember, stardust is a fantasy that is slightly more accessible. The Nerdist praises it for being a “kinder, gentler interpretation of fantasy”, and this description is correct. stardust, while set in a fantasy world, does not require extensive knowledge about that world’s history or rules. Tristan lives in the small village of Wall, whose simplicity contrasts with the magic and beauty of Stormhold. The exact historical year is unknown and unnecessary, as are further histories about the institutions. The settings are beautiful and sweeping but still familiar; they are what audiences would expect from a fantasy movie.
Finally, with more simplistic settings, things like magic and witches fit easily into Stormhold’s world while still feeling believable. stardust creates a world that is a great mix of reality and fantasy, and every part works together. There doesn’t have to be a fully defined system of magic or explanation of the fantasy elements, as they are believably woven into the realistic parts of the film. The fantasy is exciting yet classic, with simple explanations that are easy for any viewer to recognize and understand.
It tells a sweet and recognizable story
While stardust is a fantasy, it manages to mix other genres in the movie, and the biggest genre is romance, which is shown in different ways. First, Tristan is in love with Victoria and willing to chase a fallen star to please her. But as he continues his journey with Yvaine, he begins to develop feelings for her and realizes that he doesn’t feel as strongly about Victoria as he thought. The relationship between Tristan and Yvaine starts off tense, the two argue constantly. The film does a great job of showing how they begin to adjust to each other, before eventually growing together and having so much fun together that they fall in love. The actors are great together, and seeing their feelings change is a strong part of the film, carrying the story even with the action and suspense of Yvaine being hunted.
stardust also functions as a coming-of-age story. At its simplest, Tristan’s story is about him entering a new world and having adventures there, learning things about the world and himself. He is a young man who is beginning to learn who he is, and is eager to live his life. Known for movies of all kinds, this structure helps make Tristan and his story even more recognizable to viewers, no matter who they are. stardust effectively depicts a coming-of-age journey and sweet romance, while still retaining the magic and whimsy of a fantasy. This is not only a more accessible form of fantasy, but also makes the film recognizable and enjoyable for all ages.
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It’s a lot of fun
Fantasy is also often associated with more serious tones, including epic battles between good and evil. While those interpretations are great, stardust – Like it The princess bride, with which it often draws comparisons – stands out as a film where fantasy is fun and lighthearted. There are serious elements to the plot, such as the Princes of Stormhold trying to find Yvaine so they have the right to rule as king, or the witch Lamia (Michelle Pfeiffer) who hunts Yvaine to restore her youth and power. But even with the danger, the movie can still have fun.
In one scene, Tristan and Yvaine take refuge on a flying pirate ship, led by Robert De Niro as Captain Shakespeare. The flying pirates fit perfectly into the strange magical world of the film, bringing fun and great humor. It’s especially nice to see DeNiro, who is such a well-known, serious actor, dancing around. It allows the characters to escape from the dangerous people who are chasing them, and also allows the audience to enjoy fun, stress-free moments. The princes are fun too, presented as a bumbling group teasing the remnants from the afterlife. All the characters use the sharp, odd sense of humor often present in Gaiman’s works, which makes the film a really fun adventure.
With its light and easy take on fantasy, stardust creates a movie that everyone can enjoy. It also successfully combines different genres and presents a recognizable love story and personal story even within its own fantastic elements. It’s a happy, hopeful take on the quintessential fantasy film, with a sweet romance and joy that ties it all together.