We went to see Stardust (the new fairy tale film based on a Neil Gaiman novel) on opening night, and we had braced ourselves for something not-so-great, in the shadow of all of the crummy summer movies this year.
But it is good! So very good.
I hereby recommend it to everybody as an everybody-would-like-it type movie. The posters: ugly. The trailers: misleading and weird.
But the film itself: lovely.
I think that Neil is very pleased with it, and hopefully when he exited the red carpet, he relaxed his hands a bit. I read the book maybe 5 years ago, so I don't even remember how much is faithful and what is different, but it flows beautifully, the performances (even the ones that could've easily gone awry) were wonderful (especially Michell Pfieffer and Robert Deniro) and it left my heart all a-glow.
Comments (22)
From the previous previews and reviews I saw of the movie, it sounded pretty awful, but we were watching some movie the other day (Perhaps Disturbia. We watch a lot of movies round here.) and happened to see a preview that was very captivating. Since then it has been a rather firm addition to the list of movies I must see if I ever get out of my house.
Amber · August 12, 2007 at 02:05 PM
yeah i saw the trailer and thought is was supposed to be serious and then i read that it was supposed to be more akin to the princess bride. i haven't seen it yet since it hasn't been released in germany yet (at least not in english) but i will be see it as soon as it's here! :)
love your blog by the way. always so purdy. :)
jan · August 12, 2007 at 02:08 PM
I was going to see the movie before it came out because they had a free showing Downtown because of Comic Con but we where only 1 hour early. You had to be about 2 or 3 hours early to get in even with an RSVP.
Diana · August 12, 2007 at 02:13 PM
I'm really looking forward to this one, especially given the good reviews that have been coming out. I'm usually wary of adaptations, especially of really good books, and Gaiman could be easily messed up, but this is one that I'm truly anticipating seeing. Thanks for the further confirmation that it's worth seeing.
Jenn · August 12, 2007 at 02:49 PM
ya i want to watch that , BUT do you want to watch the nanny diaries? thats what i REALLY want to see.
ps- will be selling on a saturday?!??!
kim* · August 12, 2007 at 05:07 PM
ps! http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=124697114&albumID=885855&imageID=9708578
me and my emily martin dolly
kim* · August 12, 2007 at 05:43 PM
I saw it yesterday and really liked it, too! :)
Emma · August 12, 2007 at 06:03 PM
So glad to hear that people are liking it. I really wanted it to be good since I'm currently working on his next movie. I can't wait to see it!
Heidi · August 12, 2007 at 11:53 PM
I can't wait to see this. I think I may have convinced my friend to see it with me which will be good because I don't want to go alone.
And is it me or does Neil look absolutely darling in his tux? I just want to cuddle that man to pieces. I absolutely love him.
RaShawn · August 13, 2007 at 12:38 AM
Akin to Princes Bride? Well then, that does it, I have to see it...
It did look interesting. I got a flyer for it with my Harry Potter book. Definetly one I'll have to see along *sigh* or scroung up some friends for, because I KNOW Brian won't go with me, lol. It does look good though, so I'm definetly going to make an attempt, espescially now!
Sarah · August 13, 2007 at 01:33 AM
That good, huh? It feels like we've been dragging our feet a bit, despite our household's Neil-love, and I wasn't sure why. My husband finally illuminated the truth... we both loved West Wing and he had a crush on Mary-Louise Parker around the time that Clare Danes person ran off with the father of M-LP's due-any-day baby. Ew. And now that we're entranced with Weeds, and enjoying us some more of Miss Parker, the Danes-factor probably has our Irish all-up again. So silly, and none of our earthly business. (But, we still reserve the right to squint our eyes and look all crooked at Danes, should we happen upon her on the sidewalk.) We'll go see it for Neil... thanks ever-so for the review. :)
karaalison · August 13, 2007 at 09:09 AM
Thanks for the great review :)
We saw the trailer when I took my son to see Harry Potter and he loved it :D I really hope we get to see it soon!
Thanks again :D
Danielle Nilsson · August 13, 2007 at 12:23 PM
Saw Stardust with my honey last night. I *had* to see it because I love Neil & because I've been reading all of the coverage on his blog. However, my honey was wary for unknown reasons. Luckily we ended up really liking it. Afterwards he said he'd be telling all of his buddies at work that they should see it, too. :)
I must admit that I'm not really a Clare Danes fan. I loved her in My So-Called Life, of course, but I haven't liked her in anything since then. But I liked her in Stardust! It totally took me by surprise! Of course, the real star of the film is the actor who plays Tristan. Good lord, he's yummy!
MrsSteel · August 13, 2007 at 01:16 PM
Oh, I agree with Karaalison!! I absolutely love Ben Lee and used to love Claire but felt very differently after the Crudup debacle of 2004. Silly and none of my business.
Thanks for your review, the previews were appalling and I'd written it off because of them.
Cirilia · August 13, 2007 at 01:32 PM
I totally agree - we loved it!! The previews are so misleading and I'm so glad I took a chance and went and saw it - I've been telling everyone since how great it is - I LOVED Robert De Niro - he was so funny!
Amber · August 13, 2007 at 02:02 PM
I love Neil!! I fell in love with the sandman series and loved coraline too! I've not read anything else by him though but have been really wanting to!!! Thanks! I'll have to check out both the book and the movie!
lesley · August 13, 2007 at 11:14 PM
Have you seen this?
http://www.blackphoenixalchemylab.com/stardust.html
Roxanne · August 14, 2007 at 04:34 PM
oh thank goodness! I've been so excited about seeing this, but apprehensive, too (for the same reasons) - this is great reassurance! I can't wait to see it when I get back home...
sarah · August 14, 2007 at 08:04 PM
humm...
the poster DOES look a bit twee, no?
I'm not familiar with the story, and the movie is completely off my radar...
thanks for the recommendation!
(I loved 'Once' this summer)
Elise · August 15, 2007 at 12:20 PM
All the gals in my household have been taking turns reading Stardust before heading out to the film this coming weekend. We were lucky enough to find the original version of it in our public library...it is a graphic novel. A really satisfying and transporting read with all the fab illustration. We highly recommend looking for this version!
Cypress · August 16, 2007 at 10:16 AM
I loved it too! I couldn't stop smiling throughout the entire movie..:)
Sarah · August 22, 2007 at 02:39 PM
Loved it!
corie · September 04, 2007 at 06:01 PM