With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Movie Review: Stardust
One of the great shames of this summer's movie season is that, despite glowing reviews, Stardustfailedto find an audience when it opened this past weekend. With the exhibition marketplace being what it is right now, this sprawling, wonderful fairy tale will almost certainly disappear quickly from theaters. Movies just aren't allowed to linger anymore waiting to be discovered. Studios figure they're only throwing good advertising money after bad. I hope Stardust will get a better reception when it comes to DVD in a few months. I think it will.
As a culture, we have very specific ideas about our fairy tales. We certainly require a perilous battle between good and evil at some point and that battle should probably be waged with magic or swords. As such, witches and princes are fairly common and usually central to the story. Pirates, ghosts and unicorns aren't always expected, but are never much of a surprise either. Most importantly, the fate of true love must ever be at stake. Stardust delivers all of that, but twists each element in such a way that they all feel new.
Sponsored message
For instance, the witches (led by Michelle Pfeiffer) are indeed wicked but it's really their vanity that distinguishes them. Likewise, the princes are all able warriors, but most of their energy is spent trying to kill each other in a ruthless, gleefully comic quest for power. As for the pirates? Well, one of them is a cross-dresser and the rest are surprisingly tolerant. At least the true love part seems about right. Or does it? The star-crossed lovers (literally) sure do seem to enjoy bickering with each other. And, of course, one of them isn't exactly human.
It's just that peculiar perspective that drives Stardust. Its epic story may be told with splendiferous special effects, but it's also stuffed with irony and silliness. Director Matthew Vaughn does a superb job of fusing together the disparate elements of Neil Gaiman's novel, while Robert De Niro, Ricky Gervais, Peter O'Toole and David Kelly all deliver hilarious supporting turns. In the crucial roles of the prospective lovers, Claire Danes and newcomer Charlie Cox truly shine (again, literally).
Many critics have compared Stardust to The Princess Bride. I think it's a bit of a lazy and obvious comparison, but I am confident that anyone who liked Bride will love the even more richly imaginative Stardust. Sophisticated audiences whine an awful lot about the dearth of quality material being released by the major studios these days. By failing to support films like Stardust, though, those same complainers ensure that the crap spigot will spew with even more ferocity in the years to come. So go see Stardust before it's too late!
Photos courtesy of Paramount Pictures
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
