Covered with Stardust

I just came from watching Stardust tonight. I remember not being very impressed with the original graphic novel version, though written by Neil Gaiman wilth Charles Vess's illustrations, but I loved the movie.

It is rare to have several plots that interact without being related to each other or to the particular characters--one person is looking for a star to kill her, another for seeks a  jewel to become king, another wants a gift for a girl, and a son seeks his long lost mother.  The special effects are well designed and do not get in the way of character performances, espeically Robert DeNIreo in a corset and pink fan.

Magic is used in interesting ways with physical effects on the magic users. The makeup is outstanding,a nd I particularly liked how the plot used a number of older women, notably Michelle Pfeiffer, although they were all evil.

Each character had a development thorugh the story, which seems rare these days, and overall, it was wonderful.  I particularly liked the comic relief ghosts of the dead princes and their chorus like commentary. This one is a keeper.