Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Stardust Review - Some Minor Spoilers

I finally saw Stardust last night, and I said I'd review, so here goes.

The movie was, in a word, delightful.

It deviated quite a bit from the book in places, especially in the end, and I have to say I think I like the movie better. One of the best things about it were the unexpected bits of humour that kept coming out. Stuff that wasn't really that funny in the book, but then you see it in the movie, and you're like, that was really funny, why wasn't I laughing when I read the book? In particular, the interactions of the brothers who are all trying to kill each other is hilarious, and there's this one great scene when Captain Shakespeare is bargaining with this guy, and the dialogue is just priceless. And speaking of Captain Shakespeare, Robert De Niro was suprising and wonderful in this role. And am I remembering things totally wrong? Cuz I don't remember Captain Shakespeare being a drag queen in the book... But even if it was a significant departure from the book, it worked well.

And you all know what I thought of the ending of the book. It was a total letdown, completely anticlimactic. The ending in the movie was totally different, and I think it worked better. They may have dragged out the final fight with the witch a bit too much, but still better than the book. And the ending was much more happily-ever-after than the book was. The book was much more bittersweet, which is fine, I like bittersweet. And I think the bittersweet ending suited the book, but the movie really did need a happy ending, which it certainly got in spades. In fact, the extreme happiness of the ending actually made me cringe, just a tiny little bit. But not enough to dampen my enthusiasm for the film as a whole.

So that's my review. Highly recommended. I actually wouldn't mind seeing it again. And that doesn't happen very often for me (not counting Harry Potter). So go and see it. I promise you won't be disappointed.

3 Comments:

At 13:20, Blogger LilyMab said...

I also loved the movie. Highly recommended!

 
At 14:19, Blogger Garden Girl said...

Thanks a million for this review Violette!

 
At 11:56, Blogger ypkjorli said...

Apparently, I was the only one who didn't love the movie. Mmmm, I was wondering if I had higher expectations due to Violette's review. But, upon reflection, I also found my feelings the same after reading Neil Gaiman's "American Gods" -- disappointed. I think in terms of originality, yes, it's a far cry from the Hollywood recycled trash. In terms of delivery, that's where I think Gaiman lacks. Granted, I haven't yet read the book, however the plot devices stuck out like sore thumbs in the movie. For example, how will Claire Danes get out the forest now that Tristan has left her? Let's have a unicorn show up! How do we get the necklace into Tristan's hands? Let's have Claire Danes put it on even though it knocked her from the sky and she should be angry at it.
I also found some of the same types of 'conveniences' in "American Gods."
I like suspending my beliefs, that's why I love reading/watching sci/fi and fantasy. In place of my beliefs, though, I require logic. Sometimes poetic license can get you through tough patches, but not at major points in the plot. Maybe the majority of my criticism is with the movie and not the story -- I'll read the novel and then decide.

yk

 

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