Over the past week I had the pleasure of enjoying two different forms of Neil Gaiman's Stardust story. Although I have read and thoroughly enjoyed several Gaiman works, I am hardly a rabid fan, and had not yet read Stardust.

I saw the Stardust movie trailer several months ago and realized I needed to read the book before seeing the movie. However, the book languished in my Amazon shopping cart until my sister informed me that she wanted to see the movie. I informed her that it was based on a book and we hatched a plan for her to buy the book from B&N, share it with me the following Monday, and then I would read it and we would see the movie together.

(Un)fortunately, the book is a terrific bedtime fairy tale and it took me several nights to read the whole thing--this was no fault of the books, because it really is quite an enthralling tale, but primarily because I would begin it quite late each night. I have never been able to postpone the Sandman (ha...) and delay sleep--perhaps its my addiction to caffeine which makes it an impossibility.

Anyway, the book is phenomenal. It is very much an adult fairy tale and Gaiman is an excellent story teller. All the standard fantastical fare is present in the novel; however, Gaiman combines it in such a way that none of it is contrived fantasy. The world is not unique, but is enchanting nonetheless. The characters memorable even if they are archetypal. I am glad I borrowed my sister's copy because now I am considering buying the illustrated edition or the edition in comic form.

Now for the movie...

Although I quite enjoyed the movie, I do not believe it destined to be a classic fantasy film--neither by measure of box office receipts nor fantasy-lover fanaticism. Claire Danes put in a terrific performance, and overall the screenplay captured the heart of the novel, even while taking quite a few liberties. The movie could have used some more narration... to both bring out more of the Gaiman storytelling and to lighten up a few of the deader scenes in the first half of the film.

I felt Michelle Pfeiffer's acting in the movie was a bit leaden. This was in stark contrast to Robert Deniro's popping pirate persona which evoked Pirates of Penzance. Danes, however, was the star of the movie and it showed. She has been one of my favorite actresses since My So Called Life and Romeo + Juliet.

Altogether, in terms of fantasy movies, Stardust was more Labyrinth for me than A Princess Bride. Meaning while I might be equally predisposed to watching either movie on cable, David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly, even in unforgettable performances, can't hold a candle to the fantastical love story which is A Princess Bride.