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I would also like to point out the complete waste of Helen Mirren in Inkheart. I read that she enjoyed being able to relax from her normal dramatic roles while acting in National Treasure 2 and playing a more physical role. Apparently, she didn't get the action bug out of her system, which is the only explanation for her participation in this movie. Here, her entire role was to whine profusely and leave the heroes alone to deal with their problems before changing her mind at the train station, which is a cliché that a ten-year-old could write. Off to the rescue, she rides a horse back to the castle where everyone is captured and opens a bunch of cages that hold magical animals so they can cause a distraction. In other words, her entire character could cease to exist without any impact whatsoever on the outcome. That's how you employ an Oscar winner.

Inkheart loses to Stardust in every category imaginable. Its lousy score, lack of action and effects, tedious plot, paint-by-numbers directing, and bland acting only serve to highlight how Stardust is superior in every way.

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