a a massive fan of fantasy in general and and of the work of neil gaiman in particular and i have be look forward to this film so avidly and so hungrily and with such a bittersweet mixture of anticipation and fear of disappointment that i can scarcely believe it finally here . and you know what . i needn not have fear and the film version be bldy awesome . different from the book and but in a good way less whimsical and more comical and still deeply sweet and enchant . the special effect be absolutely spot on and and make magic feel a natural and proper part of the world of wall without be overtly spectacular and intrusive . proper attention have be pay to storytelling and pacing and and the casting in the main be a triumph and with the ghostly prince ( whose roll call read almost a a who who of currently cool british comedy rupert everett and david walliams of little britain fame and two of the bloke from green wing etc ) steal most of the best line and pretty much all of the film funny moment and which exist in abundance . in fact and the one minor criticism i have at all of the film be that sometimes the comedy elements become a little ott and subtlety go out of the window to the detraction of the main story . ricky gervais cameo and for example and be far too much just ricky gervais do his usual david brent from the office comedy persona for my liking and and in my opinion and create an unwelcome and jolt break from the magical spell of the progress story ( though in fairness and from memory i believe the ferdy character in the original book be pretty ricky gervais esquire when i think back on it ) . but this be a minor quibble in an otherwise immaculately cast and script fairytale with a good mixture of action and romance . charlie cox and a the protagonist tristan and capture the correct mixture of naivety and subtle comedy and self realisation require for a story like this where a humble young boy embarks on life change quest while claire dane a yvaine be beautiful and feisty and just ever so slightly alien or ethereal and a perfect interpretation of her stellar role while robert de niro and in the cameo every reviewer be talk about and be indeed deserve of praise and rollick good fun ( look like he have a ball and too ) . and michelle pfeiffer be triumphantly cool and nasty a wicked witch lamia and my favourite performance of the film overall . if you enjoy her deliciously b. tchy performance in the recent hairspray then you will thoroughly enjoy her in this and too . so to round off this review represent you will laugh and for sure and you will smile and and you may even cry stardust be a beautiful and heart warm fairytale for all the family and with a heart of gold and more sas n smart than be immediately apparent . one of my all time favourite film be the absolutely fantastic princess bride and and stardust be be readily liken to this with good reason a it be a very similar type of film explore similar theme and territory . and just a the princess bride remain fresh and smart and funny twenty year after it initial release and i believe that the delicious tongue in cheek sweetness of stardust will be show up a a family favourite on our television ( or equivalent future device . ) for many year to come .