"We always knew you were a whoopsee…"

 Last Tuesday, I was most fortunate to score an extra ticket for United International Picture's invitational screening of STARDUST. This is my first non-Solar movie premiere since I was dragged kicking and screaming into A Love Story last August. The second since that tired third installment to Shrek last May.  

Based on Neil Gaiman's novel and directed by Robert Vaughn, it tells the story of how an encounter between a young village lad  (Charlie Cox) and a fallen star (Claire Danes) turns into a wild goose chase involving a power-hungry prince (Mark Strong) and a youth-obsessed witch (Michelle Pfeiffer).

Well, I must say, I really enjoyed it.  Now for some other key points:

1.) Charlie Cox was surprisingly effective in the lead male role of Tristan, considering that this is only his 6th onscreen movie.

2.) Claire Danes' sweet and sincere portrayal of earthbound star Yvaine almost made me forget that she once called our country "ghastly" and "full of cockroaches"

3.) I'm a sucker for beautifully-wrapped diabolical villains . That's why, Michelle Pfeiffer…You rock! 

4.) The film reminds me so much of 1987's The Princess Bride. In fact, Septimus (Mark Strong) kinda comes across as a darker, more brooding version of Inigo Montoya. (My name is Inigo Montoya, You killed my father! Prepare to die!)

5.)  Uhm, is Captain Shakespeare (Robert De Niro) really meant to be that, uh, flamboyant? Answer me if you wish. Just limit your response to a "yes" or a "no".

6.) The offscreen narrator is Sir Ian McKellen. Wala lang.

7.) I want to read the book.

8.) It's a fun film. Watch it!

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