Starstruck

The more I look back on last year the more I realise how many great films there were.

Stardust has to be up there with one of my faves. The faultless fairy tale with a truly stellar cast in roles you wouldn’t expect – a camp Robert deNiro anyone? – seriously rocks.

The enchanting Narnia-esque film with remnants of The Princess Bride keeps the story moving at pace while spoiling us with beautiful backdrops and fantastical characters.

The story starts with Dunstan Thorn (Ben Barnes) sneaking into a forbidden land over the ‘wall’ where he spends the night with a beautiful woman. Nine months after returning to his home land on the other side of the wall he finds a basket with a baby in it. So far, so cliché.

Fast forward to baby in basket becoming a fully grown Tristan Thorn (Charlie Cox) pining after the prettiest girl in the village, Victoria (Sienna Miller.) To impress the spoilt Victoria, Tristan promises to cross the wall and bring her the fallen star they see fall onto the other side of the wall. So the son, like his father so many years before manages to get past the guard and into Stormhold.

The adventure begins here when Tristan finds that the star isn’t a piece of rock but a glowing young woman, Yvaine (Claire Danes.) Tristan wants to take the star back to his love but he’s not the only one after her. The sons of the recently deceased King are vying for the throne but to claim it they must find the star and an evil sorceress (an alternately stunning young Michelle Pfeiffer and hideously decrepit Michelle Pfeiffer) is trying to catch her to regain her youthful looks.

This kind of story could have been pointlessly overcomplicated, terribly confusing or patronisingly over-explained but the balance is hit just right making Stardust a fantastic adventure.

A rare treat for all the family, Stardust will excite kids and make adults smile.

Director's commentary