Stardust DVD Review

Stardust Review
130 minutes, UK/USA (2007), PG

Bumbling romantic Tristan Thorne journeys to retrieve a fallen star for the village beauty, unaware that other less benign forces are also in hot pursuit. Fantasy based on Neil Gaiman's novel
Sinking without a trace at the US box-office, generating a paltry return on a reported $65 million investment, Stardust's financial failure should be put squarely at backer Paramount's door. Footing the bill is rather pointless if you're not going to promote the product, and like close relative The Princess Bride's mishandled release back in 1987, the studio responsible apparently had no idea how to sell a hot fairytale.

A sad, solitary trailer did no justice to Stardust's sharp wit. And with scarcely any internet presence to speak of, what discussion there was between those unfamiliar with Neil Gaiman's book consisted predominantly of vitriol. Disheartening, since it's actually a romantic, rousing and consistently funny throwback to the celebrated 1980s fantasies they're not supposed to know how to make anymore.

Overall review 8/10

Review by channel4.com