Directed by Matthew Vaughn

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Fantasy films have made their mark on megaplex screens in the last few years with the Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter films drawing record-setting crowds (even if there did seem to be far too many dragons in need of slaughtering). Pirates of the Caribbean was seen as welcome relief to the genre as it didn’t take itself too seriously; however, some people thought that the humour took centre stage at the expense of the fantasy element. At last there is a film that maintains the components of a good old fantasy whilst still incorporating mountains of humour. In the tradition of The Princess Bride, Stardust combines magic and horror, romance and comedy in a tale that has really been made with adults in mind.

Tristan (Charlie Cox) is a young Englishman who sets out on a quest to the world beyond the wall. A shooting star has fallen to earth and Tristan wants to impress Victoria (Sienna Miller) by bringing some of it back. This is before he finds out that the star is actually a person by the name of Yvaine (Claire Danes) who has been knocked out of the night sky by a necklace thrown by a dying king (Peter O’Toole). The witch Lamia (Michelle Pfeiffer) wants her heart to make herself young again, while Prince Septimus wants the necklace she is wearing to claim the throne. The fleeing pair end up seeking refuge with the cross-dressing pirate Captain Shakespeare (Robert De Niro). 

The film, based on the acclaimed illustrated novel by Neil Gaiman and Charles Vess, is brought to life by an impressive cast. Pfeiffer manages to get in many gags about the aging process and De Niro is hilarious as the not so ferocious pirate captain with a penchant for dressing up. As with any good fantasy, there are plenty of obstacles along the way, but you just know that goodness and true love will win out in the end. Treat yourself to this surprise package.