Stardust

When it comes to genres, there's always a market for fantasy. directors of kitchen-sink realism and dark dramas do not appeal to the masses as fantasy does, because- let's face it- the majority doesn't so much care to watch troubled people go on with their lives, which is too real. The multiplexes are crowded with tickets to see cool FX effects, epic battles, and computer-generated wonders galore.

If you are one of those people, please avoid the crappy blockbuster sequel to "Transformers" and rent this instead. "Stardust" is no longer at theaters, but go to the rental place and get it. Make your own popcorn and invite your family. People will thank you (Well, Michael Bay won't) and the story itself has more inspiration than "Let's see how many toys we can sell to boys under the age of 10."

The story revolves around Tristan (Charlie Cox,) a young man living in the British village of Wall some years back. He is completely infatuated with Victoria, a manipulative young woman his age. Actually, Victoria is in love with herself- but since solo courtships are generally not custom, she has settled on the equally egotistical Humphrey, who has a tendency to bully his girlfriend's admirer.

When he discovers that Victoria and Humphrey are preparing for nuptuals, he, in a desperate attempt to stop the upcoming marriage, promises to bring her a star she has seen falling across the sky. She could care less about him, but she is intrigued by the prospect of having her own servant boy to do her bidding, and agrees that he leave to fetch it for her. With dreams of romance with the self-obsessed but pretty neighbor, Tristan sets off.

After a bizarre sequence of events, Tristan discovers two reasons to cross the legendary spot that lies on the other side of his village; as well as getting the wayward star, he is told by his father that his biological mother lives there. The space beyond Wall, however, is seen as a blank area of land by onlookers, and is guarded by a elderly but pysically able villager with no patience for lovelorn young men. As luck would have it, however, his mom left him a babylon candle, a magical device used for transporting the user at their mind's will.

With his brain caught between Victoria and his mother, he lands himself in a crater and discovers, in fact, that the 'star' is not a inanimate object at all but, rather, a living woman. This is smart-alecky Yvaine (Claire Danes,) who is not in any way pleased to be suddenly thrust out of the heavens. Moreover, he has put himself in a magic land where there is a long-going feud between princes and some very nasty witches, lead by Lamia (Michelle Pfeiffer.)

The witch sisters are obsessed with youth, malevolent, and they do things involving animal entrails that would give a PETA member a panic attack. Their main goal, however, is to fetch Yvaine's heart in order to rid themselves of their decrepid bodies and prolong their life. That is how the inexperienced, incompetent Tristan becomes the protector/captor of Yvaine, who is unaware of the witch's presence and miffed at Tristan's kidnapping of her as a 'present for Victoria.'

Naturally, a romantic attraction develops between the two, and Tristan begins to consider the idea that running errands for Victoria may not be his ideal. Meanwhile both ruthless prince Septimus and Lamia have their own agendas for finding Yvaine, and they find themselves the captives of Shakespeare (Robert De Niro,) a seemingly sadistic captain of a flying boat that distributes lightning to shady dealer Ferdy (Ricky Gervais.)

Roger Ebert is correct when he says that there are a lot of people and situations in "Stardust-" it takes several veiwings to get used to everything that's going on- but so it is with many fantasy films; a enormous stack of ideas crammed into a several-hour format. But one can hardly complain when the ideas are good ones. The whole enterprise is chock full of funny situations and lines, interesting characters, and the pure joy of the fantasy world it has created.

One of the more unexpected of the humorous scenes is the one involving De Niro's character, which is funny without being cruel. I will not reveal this plot point, and it should be a surprise to those who have not read too many reviews (including Ebert's) or are unfamiliar with the original Neil Gaiman book.

I have found that despite my recent interest in dark psychological dramas, I still have a place in my heart for imaginative fantasy movies, as "Stardust" and the slightly superior "The Fall" prove. As plot points and characters unfolded abound, I enjoyed a story that hardly took itself seriously. One knows, to some extent, where the plot is going (especially with Yvaine and Tristan, will they be love interests? hmm...) but the cast, and the viewer, has fun getting there (Rated PG-13.) ****

Note: This is probably a good movie for kids twelve and up that aren't too sensitive. I think the occasional violence and weird imagery may be too much for the kindergarten set.

Recommendation- If by any chance you have not watched the film at least once in your life, rent The Princess Bride.

Also try Tarsem's The Fall for a more subtle fantasy movie (which has no special FX! My God, do they do that anymore?)