Stardust

Check out a review of director Matthew Vaughn's adaptation of Neil Gaiman's Stardust, an enchanting tale of a fallen star.

No common or garden meteorite, the star in question is actually a beautiful woman (Claire Danes), whose powers make her a desirable commodity for the Pirates, Princes and Witches that inhabit the fairytale world of Stormhold where she has crashed.

Meanwhile in a sleepy English village known as Wall, named after the divide which separates the everyday from the magical realm of Stormhold, a young suitor, Tristan Thorne (Charlie Cox), promises his sweetheart a fallen star as a token.

So begins a tale of true love and high adventure that weaves a myriad of threads into a wonderful modern take on the fairytale tradition. With a strong performance from newcomer Charlie Cox opposite Claire Danes as the put-out star, the stage is set for a movie that simply shines.

Trapped in a magical catch 22, Michelle Pfeiffer excels as Lamia, the head of a coven of age challenged Witches, who seek the star to restore their vitality. Aging on screen with every devious scheme, magic comes with a hefty price tag in years for Lamia.

Robert De Niro as the infamous sky pirate Captain Shakespeare is the closeted delight of the movie. Feared in reputation, he sails the skies with a crew of scoundrels harvesting lightening and harbouring a secret - that is revealed with a warm sense of fun and sensitivity.

"To have a film in which you have Robert De Niro showing a side of himself that's never been seen before, Michelle Pfeiffer delivering a wonderful star turn, Claire Danes delivering another of her phenomenal performances, Charlie Cox, a new face who is going to be a major star, as well as the legendary Peter O'Toole and the hilarious Ricky Gervais, was a wonderful experience" said director Matthew Vaughn.

Originally published in 1997, Neil Gaiman's Stardust was a fireside fairy story that unfolded in a four-book DC Comics miniseries, which featured breathtaking illustrations from Charles Vess.

"I set out in the beginning to tell a story about a young man who goes after his heart's desire only to discover it isn't his heart's desire" said Neil Gaiman. "I started with that one idea in my head and followed that all the way to the end."

Adapted for film by Jane Goldman and Matthew Vaughn, Stardust is currently showing in cinemas. Check out the trailer, available for download from PlayStation Store.