Monday, Film4, 6:25pm
Stardust (2007), directed by Matthew Vaughn, is an eccentric fantasy adventure that feels like it was plucked from the pages of a Dungeons & Dragons campaign led by Neil Gaiman himself. Well, actually, it was—minus the dice. Based on Gaiman's novel of the same name, Stardust transports us to the magical world of Stormhold, where our hapless hero Tristan (Charlie Cox, long before he started brooding as Daredevil) seeks to win the heart of the fair Victoria. The catch? He promises to fetch a fallen star. Naturally, it turns out that the star is actually a woman (played with sparkling wit by Claire Danes), pursued by an array of fantastical characters: witches, scheming princes, and a flamboyant pirate captain, brought to life with utter glee by Robert De Niro. It's a cocktail of fantasy tropes, but with Gaiman’s signature twist—no moment feels quite predictable, yet every scene oozes charm.
The film's score, composed by Ilan Eshkeri, is criminally underrated in the realm of fantasy soundtracks. Eshkeri, working closely with Vaughn (they'd team up again for Kick-Ass), crafts a sweeping, whimsical score that deftly blends romantic adventure with a sense of wonder that’s tailor-made for magical realms. The recurring "Yvaine" theme, with its soaring strings and ethereal choir, has a touch of John Williams’ more whimsical Harry Potter moments, yet remains distinctly its own creation. The swashbuckling pirate scenes are underscored with bombastic brass, while darker moments involving the witches (hello, Michelle Pfeiffer!) are accompanied by eerie, creeping motifs, reminiscent of Danny Elfman’s darker fantasy scores. It’s the perfect background for a fairy tale where both love and danger lurk around every corner.
For those of us who grew up with Terry Pratchett’s Discworld novels or The Princess Bride—films where humour and heroism go hand in hand—Stardust is a delightful addition to the canon. Vaughn strikes a balance between whimsy and action, much like Big Trouble in Little China meets Labyrinth. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, which is exactly why it works. If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if Gaiman penned an episode of Doctor Who with a NeverEnding Story flourish, this might just be your answer. And as for the soundtrack, it’s the kind of music that makes you want to grab a sword, a flying ship, and set out on an adventure of your own.
- Noel Chambers