First off, let me start by saying I've never read the book this was based on, so don't expect any comparisons here. And for those of you who are thinking of leaving a comment on how the movie sucks because they left out very important details/scenes that were in the book, then I'd rather you not leave a comment. I'm reviewing the movie. Not the book. I just want to make that clear.

And now that that's done, let's get on with it.

The story was a tad predictable. And I don't just mean the love story (because obviously that's predictable), but the whole thing--how the king's just died and so they're looking for a new ruler, and how there's a "long lost heir" to the throne. And even the whole, "wicked witch wants to capture a young maiden to steal her youth and beauty" is such a fantasy/fairy tale postulate, I'm surprised Lamia (Michelle Pfeiffer) didn't plan on marrying the hero herself in order to become Queen of Stormhold. So I guess I have to say that it's not the story that makes this movie good, which is not to say that it's bad, because I really really liked it.

So the characters were a bit flat since there were no internal dilemmas (save for Captain Shakespeare--although his dilemma was more of a comic relief rather than a heavy dramatic issue that becomes the turning point of the story) within themselves--the good guys were still good by the end of the movie, and same goes for the bad guys. But whoever said there was anything wrong with an old-fashioned battle between good and evil? I, for one, enjoyed immensely how the seeming underdogs--a shopboy and a star who does nothing but shine (this reminds of the glowing kid in Sky High whose power was considered semi-useless so he was just a "sidekick") were able to overcome the obstacles thrown at them--escaping the powerful witch's clutches, becoming friends with a pirate crew, and even beating a handful of princes (okay, technically they only met 2 of them) at a chance for the throne (and they did this unconsciously).

There were a number of suspenseful moments, too. I mean, it's no Die Hard 4.0, but the action/fight scenes were made in such a way that is still pretty exciting to watch, even if you already know who's going to win. Anyway, I think what makes this movie really stand out is the involvement of magic. Granted, that there are many other "magical" movies out there, but only in this one can you find a Babylon Candle that takes you to places, merely by thinking about them, and runes (I love these things!) that answer your "Yes or No" questions accurately. Most especially, where else have you seen a star, in human form, whose heart can give eternal life to whomever eats it?

There is something to be said, for stories like this, which can compile all the usual fantasy elements, characters, even plot lines, but still make it work as something that's like no other.

I'm also quite glad that even though Stormhold is another world, there weren't any half-human, half-something else or other invented creatures that don't exist in our world (save for the unicorn, but these are so common in fantasy movies nowadays, it's hardly magical). The animals were just animals, and the people were just people. No orcs, elves, centaurs or wookiees getting in the way. Really, that alone is already a refreshing change from all the other stories of the same genre.

And speaking of the same genre, was anybody else reminded of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" while seeing this movie? Because that scene in the pirate ship totally reminded me of the Vogon ship in the Hitchhiker's Guide. Anyway, my conclusion is that this is the first movie that although it doesn't have any shocking twists, was still able to surprise and excite me, so I'm giving it 5 stars (if I gave stars, which I don't really, but that's not the point, hehe :P).