Based on a very well-regarded novel by popular author Neil Gaiman, "Stardust" proves to be one of the most pleasant, charming and - yes - enchanting movie experiences this summer. If that string of adjectives sounds cliche, it is ultimately fitting for such a conventional and straightforward fairy tale. (This is not surprising given that Gaiman deliberately wrote his novel according to fairy-tale traditions.) The measure of a creative work is not simply in its design but also its details, which can be the elements most worth savoring, and the details in this modest fantasy are exceptionally well-crafted.

This is a story of a humble but strong-willed lad, true love, quirky pirates, dangerous princes, witty ghosts, nasty old witches and an irrepressible heroine. It's the tale of a young man on a quest to win the affection of the town beauty by retrieving a fallen star, the amusing characters that he encounters, the villains that he defeats and the lessons that he learns along the way. The standard stuff.

The movie notably bears a sense of humor deeply informed by "The Princess Bride" and a visual style clearly influenced by Peter Jackson's "The Lord of the Rings."

The characters are not quite complex or profound enough to transcend their archetypes, save for Captain Shakespeare, but they are intensely likeable, largely due to their amusing banter. Viewers cannot help but root for the heroes' happiness and the villains' just desserts, and both are deliciously delivered.

In storytelling terms, "Stardust" is a model example of the classical paradigm of set-ups and pay-offs. While virtually nothing in the narrative escapes predictability, the vested interest in the characters and the urgency of their situations never fail to create some sense of anticipation. The various plot threads come and resolve together very neatly in the end, making the movie a rousing and satisfying ride. For these reasons, the story is ultimately very touching, and the happily-ever-after is richly deserved.

To say that "Stardust" bears some similarities to "The Princess Bride" would be fair. This movie measures very favorably against that earlier classic and is the best young adult oriented "modern" fairy tale since. It truly is "The Princess Bride" for this generation.

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