REEL CRITIC:'Stardust' falls into place as a clever fairy tale, adventure

In a summer full of cinematic retreads and endless sequels, "Stardust" radiates high energy and original thinking.

Spanning many movie categories, it offers fantasy, adventure, romance and science fiction themes all at once. It may be the first film that dares to follow in the multi-tasking footsteps of "The Princess Bride" and "The Witches of Eastwick."

Director Matthew Vaughan launches "Stardust" into an alternate universe of magical possibilities and strange events. Claire Danes is perfectly cast as the personification of a falling star whose descent to earth starts the plot rolling.

Charlie Cox is Tristan, the unlikely hero who seeks the star to win his own true love. Robert De Niro makes a cameo appearance as the whimsical captain of a flying pirate ship who intervenes in their lives.

Several dead brothers observe the actions of the living from the next world with humorous comments. But it's Michelle Pfeiffer who steals the show in this epic quest.

She is the wicked witch seeking to steal the star's heart to achieve her own immortality. Pfeiffer may win an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of the menacing sorceress whose evil life spans centuries.

This is a unique and clever adult fairy tale that may end up as one of the best films of the year.