PR in the Philippines

(SeaPRwire) –   With the arrival of Good Omens “Season” 3 next month and the ongoing Harry Potter reboot that only HBO’s accountants requested, distinguishing inspiring works from their problematic creators remains as challenging as ever. J.K. Rowling’s role as executive producer on the new Potter series, coupled with her substantial royalties funding campaigns against trans rights, makes avoiding the show a straightforward moral decision for many.

Neil Gaiman, for his part, distanced himself from Good Omens following sexual assault accusations from nine women, muddying fans’ connection to the series. The fact that the show will get a severely shortened third season is more than other Gaiman projects received: a Graveyard Book film, a new Coraline musical, and an Anansi Boys TV series were among the canceled productions, even though the last two were nearly ready to launch. This leaves us to question what to do with the art that’s already out in the world.

Films are collaborative efforts involving many people’s labor, even when a single notorious figure overshadows the credits. Yet, is it possible to cherish a love story penned by someone so difficult to admire? That’s a personal choice, but perhaps it’s appropriate that Stardust, first released in 2007 and newly reissued on 4K UHD Blu-ray by Paramount, tells the story of a young man who believes he has found his soulmate, only to discover she was quite terrible and that his true affections lie somewhere else.

On a more practical note, Gaiman was minimally involved in adapting his 1999 novel, and the film altered several elements from the book to create a better cinematic experience. Directed by Matthew Vaughn and co-written by Vaughn and Jane Goldman, Stardust stands firmly as its own peculiar and endearing creation.

How Was Stardust Received Upon Release?

The reception was largely favorable. Critics were divided over its pacing and overall effectiveness, but most found something to appreciate in its procession of fantastical charm. The plot follows Tristan Thorn (Charlie Cox) as he leaves his boring English village for the magical realm of Stormhold to retrieve a fallen star for the object of his affection. His journey is packed with incident; not only is the star revealed to be Claire Danes, but other characters—such as the merciless witch Lamia (Michelle Pfeiffer) and the equally cutthroat Prince Septimus (Mark Strong)—are also determined to capture her for their own purposes.

This required Vaughn to manage numerous subplots and tangents. As these storylines and motives converge, Stardust occasionally resembles a fairy-tale version of a complex, Pulp Fiction-esque crime adventure. Whether that appeals to you is a matter of taste, but for most audiences, its unique mix of romance, action, and comedy succeeded.

Pfeiffer’s portrayal of a vain and scheming character was widely praised as a standout. Opinions on Robert de Niro’s role as Captain Shakespeare, a menacing airship pirate with a flamboyant secret, were sharply divided (and, in what now seems prescient criticism, several reviewers at the time found Ricky Gervais irritating). Empire magazine’s 2007 assessment that the film is “Patchy but great fun, peppering plenty of black humour into a sweet if silly fairy-tale romance” remains accurate today.

Why Is Stardust Important To See Now?

Because it manages to feel both current and eternal. It’s enjoyable to watch a young Charlie Cox smile and engage with others, especially as Daredevil: Born Again debuts another season. It also serves as a welcome reminder of Matthew Vaughn’s directorial skill before the misstep of Argylle. Stardust was only Vaughn’s second film as director (after the underrated crime movie Layer Cake), and the style he showed here rightly led to opportunities with major franchises like X-Men and Kingsman. Revisiting the film is particularly intriguing to see Vaughn deploy his action and comedic talents within a PG-13 framework—a space he probably won’t return to in the near future.

Furthermore, as the “romantasy” genre appears poised to dominate fantasy literature, a coming slew of adaptations, and perhaps all of contemporary pop culture, it’s refreshing to watch a film rooted in the spirit of a classic fairy tale instead of a calculated assembly of marketable tropes. Unabashedly and straightforwardly romantic, Stardust is akin to The Princess Bride tilted slightly further toward the absurd. It may not have achieved the timeless classic status of Rob Reiner’s film, but it is more than capable of providing a delightful evening’s entertainment.

What New Features Does The Stardust 4K Blu-Ray Have?

Strictly speaking, the 4K release does not contain any brand-new special features. However, given that the 2024 4K edition is a limited Steelbook and the prior Blu-ray was released in 2010, the included legacy extras will probably be new to most viewers. These features consist of:

• Commentary by director Matthew Vaughn and writer Jane Goldman
• Crossing the wall: The making of Stardust
• Behind-the-scenes featurettes
• Deleted scenes
• Blooper reel
• Theatrical trailer