After reading the book earlier this year, I had this on my ‘things to see’ list. And then didn’t. And then week after week it kept reappearing on the cinema listings – so I finally got round to it!

And I’m glad I did. The first l’il bit had me wondering if I really should have bothered, with the story being so familiar. Then I got caught up, and it was really rather lovely! A bit saccharine, but there you go.

Have to agree with the over-long comments, but really it was just faithful to the book (apart from the pre-ending – I’m sure that was a bit different?) and I’m not sure what I’d cut out. The whole pirate ship bit really bored me, until it made me laugh and I was kind of glad it was there. Hmm.

Fav bits: the seven brothers (and/or their ghosts!) trying to oust each other; and playing the “Where’s he familiar from?!” game – oodles of names from the UK screen! Least fav: Ricky Gervais. Can’t stand the man, and it was pointless having him here, really.

Stardust, I think, lacks the lovability of The Princess Bride (despite bigger budget/better production values), but it’s a similar vein: fairy tale flick. Nicely enough done, and pretty family friendly. Recommended for a snuggly winter’s Sunday evening.

I saw the screening at the San Diego Comic Con. This was much, much better than I expected. The trailers I saw didn’t really do justice to the actual tone of the movie. Is it true to the book? Not entirely, but the spirit is there, and overall the parts that were added in fit well.

There is a fairly rapid pace to the movie- some bits feel like they rushed through to keep it moving along, but it’s not the sort of thing where you’d be picking out the flaws while you watch.

Don’t wait for this to come out on DVD. See it in the theater.