Customer Reviews:

0 out of 0 people found the following review helpful
Customer Id: AK5N6PKNR5KC2 2008-10-29
 
Review Summary: A pleasant surprise
 
Review Content: I'm not normally a fan of "family entertainment" or "fantasy" films ("Lord of the Rings" being an exception.) Even the thought of sitting through Harry Potter (I had to turn it off after 10 minutes) bores me. However, when I saw that Danes, De Niro and Pfeiffer were starring in "Stardust", I decided to give it a go. From beginning to end, it was a delight. I won't go into details about the plot, that's been written about enough. One of the great pleasures of the film is the light hand with which it is handled without ever diminishing the intensity of the various aspects of the story: the romance, the evil, the adventure. As a result, the film moves along more swiftly than its running time would suggest. Hats off to the director for accomplishing this so brilliantly. Visually the film is a stunner. The performances (with only one exception (Ricky Gervaise, so terrific in The Office, really needs to either learn, or be given the opportunity to do something different)are marvellous. Clare Danes, for my money the best actress of her generation, is superb once again, and Charlie Cox (a new actor to me)more than holds his own. Their scenes together are a delight to watch, charming without ever losing their sense of truthfullness or slipping into cloying sweetness. I look forward to seeing more of his work. Michelle Pfeiffer, whom I always adore and who never fails (The Fabulous Baker Boys, Age of Innocence, White Oleander, etc.) is magnificent. DeNiro in petticoats and feather boas is so brilliantly funny and believable that I'd love to see a sequel focusing on his character. It was a delight to see him return to the film in the closing coronation scene in an hysterically funny moment. Along with Brando, Pacino, Clift, and Seymour-Hoffman, he is one of America's greatest actors (I could watch Raging Bull, Taxi Driver and the more recent Flawless once a week without ever becoming bored or failing to be awed by his versatility). As good as Danes, Cox, Pfeiffer and De Niro are, the supporting cast are never overshadowed. All of them (ok, not Gervaise)are wonderful to watch. The film is loaded with many wonderful moments: Tristan (Cox) declaring his love for the girl who cares more about what he can give her than for him; Danes speaking of the heartbreaking sadness as she, a star, feels when she looks down and sees the cruelty of humanity and the hope she feels when she observes how humans can love; the reaffirmation of loyalty that Di Niro's pirate crew express to him after discovering his secret (though they always suspected) and his touching reaction to their attitude; Pfeiffer's seeming heartbreak when she loses everything and her immediate and scary reversal of attitude. These are just a few in a film loaded with great moments. I'm looking forward to watching it again.
 
 
 

0 out of 0 people found the following review helpful
Customer Id: AZ8YZSWE2A51O 2008-10-26
 
Review Summary: 'You want to grow up!'
 
Review Content: A fab twist of you're average fairy tale! Absolutely hilarious, with a lovely 'romance' element too. And you have to admit that De Niro is AMAZING!!!! Who'd have thought that it would work with him prancing about in ladies clothes and a feather bower?!? NO ONE!! And that's why it's so great!

Ignore the bad reviews. Seriously. BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT TRUE!!
 
 
 

0 out of 0 people found the following review helpful
Customer Id: A3NYM6Z7DZHFF7 2008-10-24
 
Review Summary: Magical
 
Review Content: Just had a most entertaining 100 minutes. This is a good old fashioned fairytale for today. Amazing cast, very funny and although the story has been told 100 times before, still enjoyed every minute. I understand the critisiscm of Ricky Gervais and De Nero, but they made me smile even though Gervais charachter was straight from the office.... not sure he can play anyone else. Dont let that put you off though, well worth a purchase
 
 
 

0 out of 0 people found the following review helpful
Customer Id: A3GM57JTE0LUPZ 2008-10-18
 
Review Summary: Silly But Fun Fantasy
 
Review Content: I liked it. Silly fun fantasy with a deliciously evil Michelle Pfeiffer as a no good meanie heart chomping witch. Good stuff.
 
 
 

1 out of 6 people found the following review helpful
Customer Id: A1A848HJSW9CMC 2008-10-14
 
Review Summary: Not quite as crap as Golden Compass - but close
 
Review Content: Very poor adaptation of a good book, with some appalling casting. De Niro as a gay pirate?! Why on earth did they think that would work? and Gervais playing himself yet again (ie annoying). Will appeal to children, who nontheless will have little clue as to whats going on for most of the film - the disjointed plot will leave them going eh? what? why? a lot. A bit of humour from the dead brothers saves it from total direness.