The year was 2007 and CGI was really starting to emerge, some really great films had already showcased the advancement in tech. No longer were the old cartoonish black outlined figures superimposed on the screen. The old school clash of the titans comes to mind (another cult classic which was going to be a write up for today but I'll wait until tomorrow)
We started to witness blended graphics and they were blowing us away! Stardust for me was one of the early CGI fantasy films that got it right.
Based on Neil Gaiman's book of the same name brought to life on the big screen I was excited about its adoption. I didn't read this book though as I thought it would be best to watch the film first and then explore the expanded universe by reading the book.
Source](https://stardust.fandom.com/wiki/Wall)
The movie opens up in the English made up town of wall which is the closest human non magical city to Storm hold. You can read more about the city in the above Source link.
I get scared sometimes when movies are based in England, similarly when they are Aussie films. No one can make a movie like Americans. They are the story tellers of our time and no expense is wasted when telling that story. People crack it about historical discrepancies in films at times but sheesh! If you're going to the cinema for a history lesson you've got bigger issues than historical discrepancies. They're films for entertainment.
Tristian is in love with his lady Victoria and in the hopes of securing her love travels into Stormhold to collect the falling shooting star, a gift like no other and one surely to captivate the love of his life.
Unfortunately for Tristian when he arrives to the site he can not find the fallen star instead in its place is Yvaine. He quickly learns his not the only one after the fallen star as 3 witches are also seeking the star to feast on its heart and reclaim their youth.
A magical tale unfolds and no doubt one of Robert Dneros best acting and films. Stardust is an early magically packed movie that lifts fantasy to another level.
Unfortunately it debuted along side other block busters and didn't gross enough, still turning a profit however, the producers decided to can the 4 part series and instead went onto film X-Men.
I've waited and hoped for a return to the series but due to the success of DC and Marvel movie adaptations the production budget for Stardust was no where near the level of what was being paid by our favourite comic book adaptations.
As a result Stardust 2 has been on the back burner ever since with no planned filming, a script and screen play put on hold without the funds to secure the big actors or match the current prices of CGI it looks like one of the greatest fantasy films to ever be made sits dormant.
Stardust was well received by many critics and viewers and remains one of the best screen adaptations of a book ever to be made even with half the story having to be rewritten and reworked as the book was filled with multiple characters and stories that would not have fitted into a movie.
I'm ultimately sad that we potentially will never get to see this 4 part comic book mini series finished and perhaps we can look forward to a remake but who knows if it will he the same.
One things for certain Stardust marks the commencement of fantasy movie adaptations with the right level of magic, mystery and suspense and if you haven't got a copy of it on your bookshelf, make sure you get one and see where modern day movies commenced.
You won't be disappointed at the film but you will be that it was never completed.
A true masterpiece that remains unfinished and frozen in time.
