Stardust (2007): The fastest way to travel is by candle.

What is it with immortality? It's not just in fiction like Voldermort but also in real life. Is a never-ending life is something worth living for? Yesterday I just watched the film adaption of Stardust by Neil Gaiman and I would like to say that I really illy love the story. However, nothing is perfect or was made perfectly.

Stardust (2007)
directed by: Matthew Vaughn 
adaption of Stardust by Neil Gaiman

First of all, I haven't yet read the book so my views and opinions is solely based on the movie.

In the village of Wall, as named after a nearby stonewall, Dustan Thorne foolishly tricked the wall guard and crosses the border despite the guard's warning. He then came into another world where she met a girl. Eight months after, a baby was delivered by the guard to the house of Dustan. He's name is Tristan. Eighteen years after, to win Victoria's hand for marriage, Tristan crosses the wall to find a fallen star using a Babylon candle given to him by his mother. However, he ended in an unexpected adventure and soon, romance.

The only book from Neil Gaiman that I have read was the Graveyard Book which I super like. The main reason I think is the lightness of the story yet has a very heavy meaning and lesson to be told. The same with Stardust. I like the world of Stormhold. Though it does not have mythical or inhuman creatures, Stormhold was magical. For example is the three sister witches which I think was an allusion to the Grey Sisters. (the three witches with one eye.)

Again, the story was very light. It was not complicated that's why we can easily join into their world. Every concept is magical itself. Babylon candles, voodoo dolls, witches, stars, kingship, and romance - all in one.

If we were to talk about the characters, I think the cast has some trouble expressing what expression they should be expressing. I like the medieval ideas of the gentlemen over the ladies, their customs and the like. But when it comes to expression, the cast seems to be troubled. There were times when the scenes was supposed to be serious, like swordplay, but Tristan looked like he was about to burst into laughter because of the expression of his partner.

But when it comes to the character itself, disregarding the actors and actresses, I would say that they developed through the time frame of the story. Tristan, living in a folly of infatuation to Victoria, learned to contrast infatuation and love. He saw who he truly should love. Yvaine, the fallen star, on other hand, did not developed so much but she was vital to Tristan development. She, herself, developed to become more human that a star.

A while ago I mentioned about meanings and lessons to be told. One issue that was discussed throughout the book was immortality. It is not just an issue with works of fiction but also in our real life. We all have an expiration date (death). Some of us when asked about death, they will say "I'm ready to die." or "I'm not afraid of death." Other will complain why there is such thing as death. If you come to realize, one day of no internet, no books, no money is boring. Then multiply those days to eternity. Immortality is boring. You will die of boredom but since you are immortal, undead better suits you. As one quotation always say, "Too much is bad." We should accept that will end someday. Just hope that you are happy that day.

Rating: 4/5