"Stardust" **1/2 (out of four): Less-than-magical adaptation of Neil Gaiman's romantic fairytale has some fine moments but lacks vision.

Like many fantasy films, “Stardust” – based on Neil Gaiman’s intricate fairytale novel – tells a simple story in an extraordinary environment: a boy with a mysterious past aims to win the love of a fair maiden and must battle all manner of villains along the way. There are witches, evil Princes and even flying pirates to contend with. But while “Stardust”, with its deadpan wit, aims to be a “Princess Bride”, it feels more like “The Adventures of Baron Munchausen” without the visionary director.

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