Neil Gaiman's writing is the main reason why Stardust works as a movie. This movie should of been much more popular than it was in the theatres, but the gay pirate stuff probably scared off most of the US audience. Gaiman's ability to create fascinating and intricate fantasy worlds was put to good use in Stardust. Anybody familiar with his earlier work (the Sandman Graphic Novels, Mirrormask) will love this film. People who have never heard of Neil Gaiman before will be pleasently surprised.