While fantasy and fairy tale movies strive to enchant, it can be hard to pull off if you feel like you need a set of reference books to follow along. A rare exception is Rob Reiner’s “The Princess Bride” — a movie that twenty years later still charms. Now, “inconceivably,” “The Princess Bride” has a companion, or maybe even a rival. “Stardust,” a surprisingly pleasant and enchanting film, is based on the novel by fantasy writer Neil Gaiman, who reinvented the adult fairy tale with his classic “Sandman” comic book series.

The story takes place in the 19th century in the village of Wall, so named for the structure that keeps villagers from the kingdom of Stromhold beyond it. When a local slips past the 97-year-old guard of the wall and has a tryst with a witch’s slave, the result is baby boy. Eighteen years later, that boy, Tristran (Charlie Cox), who was raised in Wall, returns to Stormhold. His mission is to bring back a fallen star for the fetching but fickle Victoria (Sienna Miller), with whom he is smitten.

The fallen star was knocked out of the sky by a magical necklace flung into the air by the dying king of Stormhold (Peter O’Toole). The star, which lands in a crater, takes on a human form (Claire Danes). Tristran finds the fallen star and starts guiding her back to Wall to impress Victoria. Also pursuing the star is the heir to the throne of Stormhold and Lamia, an evil witch played by Michelle Pfeiffer.

On their journey out of Stormhold, Tristran and the star meet a host of off-beat characters. Ricky Gervais is particularly memorable as Ferdy the Fence, while Robert De Niro leaves his tough-guy image behind to play Captain Shakespeare, a cross-dressing pirate.

In between, there’s plenty of witty banter, swashbuckling, derring-do, and terrific special effects. Pfeiffer, in particular, is a special effect unto herself. Deliciously evil, terrifying, and gorgeous, she steals the movie. Although at times overcrowded and frantic, the movie somehow charms with its sweet and light-hearted storyline.

Parents take note: “Stardust” is adult fantasy but will appeal to teens and even tweens. There is a lot of violence in “Stardust” — people are stabbed, poisoned, flung from great heights, and murder is presented as comedy. There’s a disturbing, but clever, sequence where the twisting of a Voodoo doll’s limbs result in a man’s limbs breaking. And, De Niro’s Captain Shakespeare minces around effeminately in a way that feels better suited to a less enlightened decade. But the power of love, goodness, and wonder swirl through the film, sweeping up anyone watching. It’s not quite “The Princess Bride,” but deserves to rule side-by-side as another true fantasy classic.

From FamilyFun.com

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