The Stars my Dustination... heh.
These are my thoughts on Stardust. They're not really all that spoilery, but cut anyways, because it is not a gushing review:
I saw it on Friday, and again today (Sunday).
I liked it. I liked it better on a second viewing. I didn't *love* it, but I liked it well enough. I thought the book's ending was *much* stronger, and that the big, Hollywood-Villain ending they went with was inane and didn't hold up to even cursory examination. I thought the music was overdone. It was like a huge, rococco engagement ring on a delicate hand -- too much for the simplicity of the tale.
Other than that, I loved Michelle Pfeiffer, who can look stunningly beautiful even in age makeup. I hate Sienna Miller, who can look like an over-tanned beach hag even when she's supposed to be done up pretty. You're supposed to dislike Victoria. I get that. What I don't get is what *anyone* saw in her, because Miller did such a terrible job making her the least bit anything other than a Victorian sorostitute. I thought DiNero was somewhat amusing, but overrated, and that Ben Barnes (who played young Dunston) was much cuter than Charlie Cox. I would have loved to see him play Tristan, but Charlie Cox did a fine job. I *adored* Claire Daines, even though I never would have thought to cast her as Yvaine. She's not pretty. She's regal and weird and fey, and a perfect casting for a star. When she shines, she really shines.
Overall, though, I think the true weakness for me came down to the language. Vaughn went for an everyday, conversational feel, rather than a more elevated poetics. It robbed the movie of that numinous, fairy-tale quality that the book got from Gaiman's prose coupled with Vess's artwork. That's really the sad thing for me. I can barely get a glimpse of what makes Gaiman one of my favorite writers, and Vess's Rackham-esque sensibility isn't to be found anywhere.
Also. No offence. I've seen The Princess Bride. The Princess Bride is an old favorite of mine. This was no Princess Bride.
EDIT: I just discovered that Ben Barnes is to play Caspian in the next two Narnia movies.
Hugggnnnhhhhhgguuurrrhggghhh (*drools and feels like a dirty old woman*)
Voyage of the Dawn Treader = First favorite fantasy book
King Caspian = First crush
Hugggnnnhhhhhgguuurrrhggghhh (*still drooling and feeling like a dirty old woman*)
I saw it on Friday, and again today (Sunday).
I liked it. I liked it better on a second viewing. I didn't *love* it, but I liked it well enough. I thought the book's ending was *much* stronger, and that the big, Hollywood-Villain ending they went with was inane and didn't hold up to even cursory examination. I thought the music was overdone. It was like a huge, rococco engagement ring on a delicate hand -- too much for the simplicity of the tale.
Other than that, I loved Michelle Pfeiffer, who can look stunningly beautiful even in age makeup. I hate Sienna Miller, who can look like an over-tanned beach hag even when she's supposed to be done up pretty. You're supposed to dislike Victoria. I get that. What I don't get is what *anyone* saw in her, because Miller did such a terrible job making her the least bit anything other than a Victorian sorostitute. I thought DiNero was somewhat amusing, but overrated, and that Ben Barnes (who played young Dunston) was much cuter than Charlie Cox. I would have loved to see him play Tristan, but Charlie Cox did a fine job. I *adored* Claire Daines, even though I never would have thought to cast her as Yvaine. She's not pretty. She's regal and weird and fey, and a perfect casting for a star. When she shines, she really shines.
Overall, though, I think the true weakness for me came down to the language. Vaughn went for an everyday, conversational feel, rather than a more elevated poetics. It robbed the movie of that numinous, fairy-tale quality that the book got from Gaiman's prose coupled with Vess's artwork. That's really the sad thing for me. I can barely get a glimpse of what makes Gaiman one of my favorite writers, and Vess's Rackham-esque sensibility isn't to be found anywhere.
Also. No offence. I've seen The Princess Bride. The Princess Bride is an old favorite of mine. This was no Princess Bride.
EDIT: I just discovered that Ben Barnes is to play Caspian in the next two Narnia movies.
Hugggnnnhhhhhgguuurrrhggghhh (*drools and feels like a dirty old woman*)
Voyage of the Dawn Treader = First favorite fantasy book
King Caspian = First crush
Hugggnnnhhhhhgguuurrrhggghhh (*still drooling and feeling like a dirty old woman*)