A Romantic Fantasy of Epic Proportions
Written: Sep 09 '07
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Product Rating:
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| Bang For The Buck |
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Pros: Everything!
Cons: None.
The Bottom Line: Truly, this is a modern masterpiece not to be missed, unequivocally recommended.
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| countess_eva's Full Review: Stardust |
When a young man is lead to explore beyond the boundaries of his small world so that he may obtain a fallen star for his one true love, he is lead deep into the strange realm of Stormhold where menacing sorceresses, Machiavellian rulers, and bizarre creatures freely roam. However, this brave odyssey that he willingly undergoes to capture this gloriously shining luminary leads him to discover something quite different than he expected; this piece of lunar dust, this fallen angel from the heavens, is no more a rock than he is, but a living, breathing, shining being, who resents being captured and held as a token so that he may impress his love. But, nevertheless, he must continue to woo Victoria, the cruel hearted woman who owns his pathetic heart and uses her power to destroy his world. And so, the adventure begins as he and the disenchanted star wonder the fantastical realm of Stormhold defying the odds in a quest that, wherever it may lead, will change both of them forever and perhaps even alter the realm of Stormhold along the way.
Fraught with fantastical elements of adventure and drama, filled with realistic yet distinctly unique characters, and packed with an edge-of-the-seat storyline, Stardust captures the viewer and refuses to let go until the last poignant, epically unforgettable scene draws to a close. How then does this movie manage to achieve such a lofty status, setting itself aside from other recent films? How does one individual film such as this one manage not to only entertain the viewers, but deeply affect them as well? Let me count the ways:
Filled with a cast of lively characters, the director wisely chose all the right actors who effortlessly brought their roles to life. The cast includes such illustrious names as Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer, and several others all of whom did a consummate job of portraying their characters.
As with all good stories, Stardust boasts an excellent plot that proves to be intricate, mysterious, unique, surprising, and yet easy for the viewer to comprehend and follow. The story begins with an effective storybook-like narration that sets the stage and then withdraws, allowing the viewers to live the drama through the protagonists as they are assailed with complicated emotions, frolicking adventures, and scenes of unparalleled drama and danger.
As with all lively fantasy adventures, the storyline is complimented with an impressive array of unique creatures, imaginative circumstances, harrowing peril, and a driving ideal behind the tale that keeps our beleaguered characters encouraged even in moments when all joy and life seems to have fled the world coloring everything in dismal hues of melancholy. The cinematography is truly inspired lending an aura of realism to a distinctly fantastical universe, therefore, effectively bringing the atmosphere of Stardust to life.
And now, we come to the characters, our beleaguered cast of heroes and villains who have tried so admirably to overcome in the face of insurmountable adversity the limitations of not only their world, but of their hearts and minds as well. These few people, who seem so real to us that it is almost as if we have traversed the realm of Stormhold with them, are the ones that truly brought this film to life. Through their shattering emotions, their epic struggles, their loves and hatreds, we have voyeuristically journeyed and through it all their hearts, whether they are evil or pure, have been the commanding force of their performance. And so, by the conclusion of the film, we have come to know them, truly know them, and through this intimate knowledge of their personalities, we have come to care for them deeply, not just as characters in a film, but as cherished friends.
And, what hero’s tale is complete without the interference of a diabolical villain? Enter the three sorceresses whose power is equally matched and amplified by the obsidian darkness of their withered hearts. These three women are not only interested in power, but in eternal life as well so that they may rule, unconquered and undefeated, over the realm of Stromhold forever. How then shall they obtain this fountain of youth? There is only one way: to cut out and devour the heart of a living star! And so, the darkness of their chosen path is due to intercept with our characters’ tribulations leading to a spectacular confrontation that will leave the viewer in awe and forever alter the lives of our beloved protagonists.
For the grand finale, I once again return to the characters but this time I do not wish to further describe their aura of realism, but instead, to relate the sweeping character development that distinguishes this film, setting it aside from other modern movies and elevating it to the position of a fantasy masterpiece. The characters did not exit the adventure as they had begun it, rather the experience sought to change not only their circumstances, but their mental attitudes as well culminating in a poignant conclusion and a real life lesson that will most certainly impress and simultaneously elate the viewer lending this film a distinct aura of fantasy, adventure, horror, and, most memorably, a poignant dissertation about the meaning of true love and romance. Truly, this is a modern masterpiece not to be missed, unequivocally recommended.
- Countess_Eva
Recommended:
Yes
Movie Mood: Feel-good Movie
Viewing Method: Other
Film Completeness: Looked complete to me.
Worst Part of this Film: Nothing
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Epinions.com ID:
countess_eva
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 in Movies, Books |
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Member: Frances Carden
Location: Washington DC
Reviews written: 331
Trusted by: 61 members
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