Stardust is a 2007 fantasy movie directed by Matthew Vaughn, and based on the 1999 novel by Neil Gaiman. It centers around a young man named Tristan (Charlie Cox), who enters the fantasy world of Stormhold to retrieve a fallen star so that Victoria (Sienna Miller), the woman he loves, will marry him. He meets Yvaine (Claire Danes), the human form of the star, and tries to get her back to Victoria while witches and the princes of Stormhold pursue Yvaine and her power.
The film was moderately successful at the box office and got mostly positive reviews from critics, but it seemed to fade in recognition shortly after; Den of Geek even named it one of that year’s most underappreciated movies. In the years since its release, it has grown more popular, especially in the wake of recent, well-received Gaiman adaptations like Good Omens or The Sandman. The movie is a great blend of romance, fantasy, and humor that is just as good now as it was upon its release. Here’s why it deserves a revisit.
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It’s an Accessible Fantasy
Paramount Pictures
While fantasy is often associated with intense movies like The Lord of the Rings trilogy, with lots of information, characters, and history to remember, Stardust is a fantasy that is a little more accessible. The Nerdist praises it for being a “kinder, gentler interpretation of fantasy,” and this description is accurate. Stardust, while taking place in a fantasy world, does not require extensive knowledge about that world’s history or rules. Tristan lives in the tiny village of Wall, whose simplicity contrasts with the magic and beauty of Stormhold. The exact historical year is unknown, and unneeded, as are further histories about the settings. The settings are beautiful and sweeping but still familiar; they’re what the audience would expect for a fantasy movie.
Finally, with more simplistic settings, things like magic and witches fit easily into the world of Stormhold while still feeling believable. Stardust creates a world that’s a great blend of reality and fantasy, and each part works together. There doesn’t need to be a fully defined system of magic or explanation of the fantasy elements, because they weave into the realistic parts of the movie believably. The fantasy is exciting but still classic, with simple explanations that are easy for any viewer to recognize and understand.
It Tells a Sweet and Relatable Story
While Stardust is a fantasy, it succeeds in blending other genres into the movie, and the biggest genre is romance, which is shown in different ways. First, Tristan is in love with Victoria, and willing to chase a fallen star to please her. However, as he continues on his journey with Yvaine, he comes to develop feelings for her, and realizes he doesn’t feel as strongly for Victoria as he thought. The relationship between Tristan and Yvaine starts out rough, with the two constantly arguing. The movie does a great job in showing how they begin to adapt to each other, before finally growing closer and having so much fun together that they fall in love. The actors are great together, and watching their feelings change is a strong part of the movie, carrying the narrative even with the action and suspense of Yvaine being hunted.
Stardust also functions as a coming-of-age story. At its simplest, Tristan’s story is about him entering a new world and having adventures there, while learning things about the world and himself along the way. He’s a young man beginning to learn who he is, and eager to live his life. This structure is familiar for movies in all kinds of genres, and helps to make Tristan and his narrative even more relatable to viewers, no matter who they are. Stardust effectively shows a coming-of-age journey and a sweet romance, while still having the magic and whimsy of a fantasy. This, in addition to being a more accessible form of fantasy, makes the movie relatable and enjoyable for all ages.
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It Has a Lot of Fun
Fantasy is also often associated with more serious tones, including epic battles between good and evil. While those interpretations are great, Stardust – like The Princess Bride, which it often draws comparisons to – stands out as a movie that lets fantasy be fun and light-hearted. There are some serious elements to the plot, such as the princes of Stormhold trying to find Yvaine so they have the right to rule as King, or the witch Lamia (Michelle Pfeiffer) hunting Yvaine to restore her youth and power. But, even with the danger, the movie is still able to have fun.
In one scene, Tristan and Yvaine seek refuge on a flying pirate ship, led by Robert De Niro as Captain Shakespeare. The flying pirates fit perfectly into the movie’s odd magical world, and they bring fun and great humor. It’s particularly fun to watch DeNiro, who is such a renowned, serious actor, dance around. It lets the characters escape from the dangerous people pursuing them, and lets the audience share in some fun, stress-free moments as well. The princes are also fun, presented as a bumbling group who tease the remaining ones from the afterlife. All the characters engage in the sharp, odd sense of humor that is often present in Gaiman’s works, making the movie a truly fun adventure.
With its light and easy take on fantasy, Stardust creates a movie that everyone is able to enjoy. It also successfully mixes different genres, presenting a relatable love story and personal narrative even within its own fantastical elements. It’s a cheerful, hopeful take on the typical fantasy movie, with a sweet romance and joy that ties it all together.
