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Film Title: Stardust

 Best for ages: 11 and up.

Movie Website: Click Here

Year Released: 2007

Rated: PG-13 (US) PG (UK)

SYNOPSIS

  Stardust is a fantasy film which follow a young man named Tristan Thorn (Charlie Cox) whom lives with his father on the outskirts of a town bordering a magical wall that leads into magical land.  we learn at the beginning that Tristan was originally born in the magic land, but his mother, a slave to a witch send him to live with his father in our realm. Tristan is in love with a girl named Victoria (Sienna Miller), whom does not really care much for him but agrees to go on a nightly picnic with him. While they are talking they see a shooting star fall from the sky. Tristan tells Victoria that he will go search for the star and give it to her for her hand in marriage.  She gives him a certain time tale in which to retrieve the star for her, and Tristan agrees to go and get it for her.

   Tristan then goes to his father who gives him a magic candle that will bring him to the magical land so he can see his mother, instead he uses it to find the star which he finds out is actually a human girl named Yvaine (Claire Danes).  However, Tristan is not the only one seeking the star. Lord Stormhold's (Peter O'Toole) three living sons all need the star in order to become king of the lands. And an evil witch, Lamia (Michelle Pfeiffer), who needs the star to make her young again. As Tristan battles to survive he encounters a pirate named Captain Shakespeare (Robert De Niro) who teaches him how to defend himself in battle and also teaches him the ways of the land. Now Tristan must now win the heart of the star for himself as he finds himself no longer in love with Victoria, but with Lamia.

VIOLENCE/GRAPHIC CONTENT/language/etc...

  The film has a lot of betrayal and sword fights, stabbings, poisonings, people pushed of a tower, people killed by magic, a throat slitting scene, and massive animal killings.  However despite all these acts of violence in this film the majority of it is not shown on screen but it's very obvious that it's happening. Probably the most graphic scene in the films is a scene in which the witch Lamia slits the throat of one of the princes who seek the star.  It's not shown in it's entirety, but their is a scene where the prince is found by his brother and he has blue blood dripping from his throat.

   Other forms of content that are shown in the film range from a variety of social issues that you might not want your younger children to know about or ask questions about. One such thing is that while it's not shown in it's graphic nature both Tristan parents had sexual relations out of wedlock which obviously lead to the conception of young Tristan, they do get back together at the end of the film, but by this time Tristan is a young man. Robert De Niros character of Captain Shakespeare is also a closet cross dresser and is seen on screen dancing around in women's clothing. The scenes are very comical, but it's something that might come into question with younger children and their ever developing minds.

    There are some graphic looking characters in this film which might scare younger children, such as the three witches whom go in and out of which from throughout the film.  Also their are the ghosts of the princes, whom are not really scary looking but each of them has a resemblance to the way they died such as an Ax in the head or a flat face from falling to ones death.

   There is really no bad language in the film, but their are a few innuendos made about some of the characters personalities and there are plenty of insults handed out among many of the characters to one another.  But there really not any swearing at all in this film.

OVERALL VIEWS

   With the success of many fantasy films in the box office its no wonder why Stardust was a story adapted for the screen. Sadly however it was not promoted a lot and only made half it's budget back in the American box office and faired well in other countries. It's kind of an upset because Stardust is a very well made motion picture and is probably the best fantasy film I've had the pleasure of viewing all year. It's a very well thought out story with great character development and a strong plot. It's a great story about good vs. evil and the film has some great and wonderful visual effects.

   Stardust has an all star cast which includes Charile Cox, Clare Danes, David Kelly, Peter O'Toole, Rupert Everett, Jason Flemyng, Sienna Miller, Michelle Pfeiffer, Robert De Niro and is narrated by Sir. Ian McKellen. The cast in this film is what really makes the movie what it is.  The acting is top notch and along with the great visuals, costume design and fabulous production value this movie stands to be a true gem on DVD.

   Overall, why I wouldn't recommend it this film to be shown to younger children, I do think that despite the PG-13 rating it was given in the U.S.A., that children ages eleven and above will be able to better handle and understand this film more. It's a great and wonderful film filled with excitement, adventure and plenty of action. 

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