“Stardust”

Paramount Pictures

Directed by Matthew Vaughn

Starring Claire Danes, Charlie Cox, Michelle Pfeiffer, Robert DeNiro, Sienna Miller, Rupert Everett, Ricky Gervais, Jason Flemming and Peter O’Toole

Rated PG-13

3 1/2 Stars

The summer movie season may be winding down, but there are a few gems left before Labor Day. This week sees an enchanting fairy tale that is equal parts comedy, adventure and magical realism. “Stardust” springs from the mind of author Neil Gaiman, and should remind most audiences of “The Princess Bride,” although this film is a lot more adult in its themes and villains.

Charlie Cox stars as Tristan, a pie-eyed shop boy who is so infatuated with the village beauty (Sienna Miller) that he offers to journey into a magical kingdom in order to bring her back a fallen star as a betrothal gift. In the fantasy realm of Stormhold, the star has taken the human form of the maiden Yvain (Claire Danes) and Tristan tries to drag her back to his village, not knowing that she is also being pursued by witches (Michelle Pfeiffer) and a couple of cut-throat princes.

It makes for a grand adventure, as Tristan and Yvain struggle to stay ahead of their hunters, especially the deliciously evil witch who will regain her youth and beauty when she devours Yvain’s heart. Fortunately there are also friends in this magical kingdom, including a mysterious slave girl and none other than Robert DeNiro, who plays a pirate captain that sails the sky collecting lightening.

DeNiro is just one of the hilarious supporting turns that keeps “Stardust” light and breezy. Comedian Ricky Gervais shows up playing a very funny trader and, my favorite, five dead princes follow their two brothers around, commenting on the adventure like an exasperated Greek Chorus. Very funny stuff.

So the bottom line is that “Stardust” has a lot of imaginative fantasy, some very cool special effects and a troupe of great actors who are obviously having a ball making the film. The action is exciting, the comedy is very funny and the fantasy elements will thrill young and old alike. As a big fan of author Neil Gaiman, I’m a bit distressed that the film takes so many liberties with his work, but it’s hard to stay angry when the results are as charming as “Stardust.”

Movie reviews by Sean, “The Movie Guy,” are published bi-weekly in “The Port Arthur News.” Sean welcomes your comments via e-mail at smcbride@kavutv.com.