Movie Review: Stardust

I got to see a screening of "Stardust" Tuesday night. It's not officially out until August 10.

I know, you haven't heard of it. Few have. Here's the trailer: http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount/stardust/

"Stardust" is another Neil Gaiman book made into a movie. Ok, "another" may be misleading.
The book "Neverwhere" was developed along with the BBC series of the same name. Due to budgetary limitations that didn't allow some of the creatures the book was better.
"Mirrormask" was developed as a movie since the visual aspects were so important. There is a book, bit it's based on the movie.
"Coraline" was a book first, but the movie is still under development. No trailer available yet, but the movie is supposed to come out this year.

"Stardust" is a fantasy on par with "The Princess Bride" but less quotable. Action, adventure, pirates, witches, sword fights, ghosts, and kissing.

Near the town of Wall is a wall. On the other side of the wall is a magical world. The only hole in the wall is guarded and nobody goes through.
Our hero is a grocery bagger in the town of Wall who wants to win the heart of the most beautiful woman in town. They see a shooting star fall on the far side of the wall and he promises to go get it for her if she'll marry him. She gives him a deadline of one week. Turns out that the star is a young woman.
The king of the magical land is dying. To become king he killed all of his brothers. He expected to give his kingdom to the last survivor of his seven sons. But four are still alive. So he takes the red from a ruby and casts it out the window. Whoever of royal blood touches it will make it red again and becomes king. The jewel zips off and knocks a star to the ground.
A witch sees the star fall. If she gets it and eats it's heart she'll become young and beautiful forever.

The boy, the princes, and the witch all race for the star for their own ends.

I will absolutely get this on DVD when it comes out.