So did you like Stardust better?

Stardust was great, and a definite buy for me someday, but nowhere near the lasting appeal/quality of The Princess Bride imho.

I think it is the dialogue that makes The Princess Bride a classic.

Coincidentally, they are currently rated the same at IMDB, 8.2. Stardust is too new to count of course, but The Princess Bride is #145 on the top films of all time at IMDB.

At rottentomatoes, it is 95% for The Princess Bride, and 74% for Stardust.

I am positive that when all is said and done, The Princess Bride will always be considered a classic , and that Stardust won't quite get there.

I just saw Stardust last night and was thoroughly let down. I was very much looking forward to it based on feedback here, but frankly it can't hold a candle to a film like The Princess Bride, which IMO is a "perfect" film.

I really couldn't find much in Stardust to like. The ghosts were kind of funny, and there was an occasional laugh, but that was about it. Didn't find the DeNiro stuff funny - I think the part could have been cast better.

It's too bad because I wanted to like this. Oh well.

Maybe it's a generational thing?

No I think you just didn't like it. I grew up with The Princess Bride, and do like the film a lot, but I don't hold it in high regard like so many people my age (I'm 22). I'd put Stardust on the same level, maybe even a little higher, if just for the fact I liked the world Gaiman created more.

Although really they are only similar on superficial levels so I see no reason one has to like both.

Oh yes, I liked "Stardust" much much more. As I've said in this thread and one other, I think it's the best movie I've seen this summer. I need to correct myself a little. I've never seen "TPB" all the way through. Over the years I've seen bits and pieces when it's been on cable and at a friend's house when they were watching it. No more than 10 minutes here and there. But it never drew me in. That's why I rented it. I agree with you about "TPB"'s dialogue. I did point out I thought it was extremely well written. Just not executed well (ie, the direction). Great cast though. I just found "Stardust" to be the perfect summer movie. There is nothing I didn't like about it. I saw it again time this weekend and it was just a magical the second time around. It's a no brainer must purchase when it comes out in December on DVD. And will definitely end up in my Top 10 for 2007.

Well also, in defense of "Stardust", it has 146 reviews on RT. Compared to 43 for "The Princess Bride". I do agree with the reviews on RT that "TPB" is more of family film. I think "Stardust" is a little too intense and long for younger kids.

For me the thing that makes TPB much better than Stardust are the performances.

Everyone in TPB was absolutely perfect in their role.

So was everone in "Stardust".

Sorry not even close IMO.

Claire Danes was good. The kid (Charlie Cox?) wasn't bad. In fact, no one was really "bad", but no one hit out of the park the way Pantinkin, Shawn or Elwes did in TPB.

I thought danes and gervais were pretty much 'perfect' in this movie IMO.

No one hit out of the park!? DeNiro certainly did. Who seemed to get the most notice from all the critics. As did Pfiefer. Hell, even O'Toole nailed his 5 minute cameo. I'm not a Claire Danes fan, but she shined. No pun. And I've never seen Charlie Cox before and his performance made me take notice.

I forgot about O'Toole. You're right he was great. The DeNiro thing just didn't work for me. Gervais was good but I like him in everything.

I'm thinking maybe I didn't like the screenplay. Visually things were good, and I liked the ending. It's weird because it seems like I liked a lot of individual parts, but it didn't come together as a whole for me. Maybe I just need to see it again in the comfort of my own home theater. It will be a nice movie for hi-def.

as much as I really loved the movie, I agree Deniro's character went a tad overboard in my opinion.

I totally disagree. Deniro's performance was good, but nowhere near great.

Again, I loved Stardust, but it is by no means a classic.

Guess we'll just have to agree to disagree For I do think "Stardust" is an instant classic. To me, it was just the perfect movie on every level.

Cool. I almost hope that maybe it will grow on me and go from great to classic, as I loved the potential of it, and Gaiman's story. It is a must buy on DVD for me, hoping for some special features on/with Gaiman in a two disc SE or loaded HD.

DVDActive posted that it was coming out on DVD on 12/18. But now that post is gone. Hope they haven't pushed the release date back. Like you, this is clearly a must buy for me too. And yes, here's to hoping it's loaded with extras. BTW, a little off subject, I see you live in Northern Virginia. Me too. I saw this at AMC Tysons and the picture and sound were incredible there.

There was an article in the San Francisco Chronicle yesterday listing hits and misses in terms of Box Office for the Summer and this was under Misses.
Unfortunate since it got some really good reviews

Amazingly, I still haven't been to that theater. It looks really nice though.

I avoid AMC because they don't accept hollywood movie money or moviecash, and I use that almost exclusively to go to the theater.

There is a new theater out in Ashburn that is very nice as well. Leather type seats, stadium seating, new and clean, good sound, no tiny screens like some of our older multiplexes.

Do you know the name of that theater? I think it's a place a friend recommended.

Fox Cinemas

I agree, This should replace the princess bride as being the best movie for the genre . I loved this flick, much better then the Princess bride. I Hated the fred savage stuff in that flick, it took you out of the flick.

I finally saw this last night and I must say that I liked a lot, but just a tad under "The Princess Bride."

This is a must buy on DVD for me. I didn't take my kids to the theater to see it, but we will definitely watch it together when it comes out.

I loved the performances by everyone, and I too was surprised to see Peter O'Toole in it... but he was perfect in that role.

3.5 out of 4 stars for me.

Holy crap that was a good movie, I can't believe I've never seen any advertisement for it. I would never even have know about it if I haddn't of seen it on the Tottaly Rad Show.

See, this is why I think this could be another "Princess Bride". That too didn't do so well when it opened. Most seem to love this film. And I think this will do great on DVD. Still my favorite film of the summer. A total surprise. And I enjoyed so many films. Best summer for movies in years IMO.

Very depressing that this movie didn't do any business, yet there is so much out that that is crap that does.