Starlight

Starlight is a 2002 animated fantasy film based on the french fairytale of the same name, animated and produced by Robert Animation Studios and distributed by Paramount Pictures.

Plot
Centuries ago, there lived the two kingdoms, Madeleine & Henriette, that was in an ongoing battle. The kingdom of Madeleine was humble and serene land while Henriette was more regal and rich. The king and queen of Madeleine, Quincy and Helen, have a son named Prince Erwin, who is a bit of a klutz but is very brave and loyal as he defends his home, family, and loved ones. But as the years went on, Madeleine fell into more despair as Henriette gained more power and control. Erwin stood up and continued to build on the village’s defenses as he grew older. But he was so caught up with it to a point he lost touch in reality. This worried his family since he was inching closer to the throne and hasn’t found a suitor to rule alongside him. They tried giving him some candidates, but he denied them saying he will decide who he wants when he finds her. That is until he comes across the castle maid, Starlight. The two had spend plenty of time getting to know each other and they grew closer together. Starlight was a single child who parents forced her to get a job and a husband to provide for them, but she said she’ll marry someone when she finds the right guy. Erwin tells her that he knows how she feels. Quincy & Helen caught onto Erwin & Starlight’s relationship and assumed that she wanted to use him because her parents are kind of scoundrels. Starlight explains that they’re not like them and they give her a chance.

On the day of Erwin’s 20th birthday, Quincy and Helen hold a party at the castle inviting everyone including Starlight and her family. But as the party was underway, Starlight notices her parents as they sneak their way into the higher levels of the castle. She follows them to see them going through Quincy and Helen’s stuff. She shouts at them to stop doing that or they’ll get caught. But a guard catches them, but Whitney and Frank run out of the room with the jewelry and Starlight tries to chase them down until they bump into Quincy. Furious, he calls the guard to take them away, but Whitney and Frank manage to escape but leave a frozen Starlight. She tries to explain to Quincy that she had nothing to do with this, but he doesn’t’ listen. She’s then imprisoned in the tower where she cannot escape. But while she’s being sent to her cell, her white cat, Ermine, follows her to the tower, where she waits for everyone to leave to sneak in. As Quincy returns, Erwin asked what happened and he doesn’t feel in the mood to discuss it. But Erwin starts to realize Starlight isn’t here. Quincy tries to hide what happened, but failed. He then tries to explain what happened, but Erwin refuses to believe she had anything to do with it, especially since her parents were involved. Quincy does promise him that she’s be alright and nothing bad will happen to her. He reluctantly takes his word for it.

As Starlight cripples away in depression, she looks back at all the times her parents mistreated her and blames them for ruining her life, wishing she had parents who treated her like she was their own. But she then hears someone say that she doesn’t deserve to be treated like a paperweight. She looks up to see Ermine. Confused, she goes through the bars and explains herself that she came to help her, revealing herself as a fairy. Startled, Starlight asks her what’s even going on. Ermine explains that she wanted to watch over her as she grew older, looking back at the time they first met and the times she comforted her in her worst times. Starlight then asked Ermine how and why she came here. She explains that she had her ways and she’s willing to help her escape the village. Starlight is a bit hesitant because Madeleine is her only home. Ermine then reveals to her that it’s not really her birth home. Starlight was confused and asked her to explain. She then reveals to her that her real family is out there and doesn’t know your alive. Intrigued, she asks if she knows anything else, but she tells her that if she wants more information, she should go to them. Starlight agrees to go and Ermine assists in her escape.

MORE COMING SOON

Cast

 * Zoe Saldana as Starlight, a slave girl and maid of Madeleine castle
 * Tina Turner as Ermine, a fairy who takes the form of a cat and helps Starlight
 * John Stamos as Erwin, the prince who falls in love with Starlight
 * Anne Hathaway as Amber, Starlight’s biological mother
 * Sean Connery as Floyd, the king of Henriette and Amber’s father
 * Rosie O'Donnell as Sandra, Starlight’s adoptive mother
 * Randy Quaid as Frank, Starlight’s adoptive father
 * Lauren Bacall as Julia, the queen of Henriette and Amber’s mother
 * Michael Wolf as Romeo, Starlight’s deceased biological father
 * Maurice LaMarche as Quincy, the king of Madeleine and Erwin’s father
 * Angela Lansbury as Helen, the queen of Madeleine and Erwin’s mother
 * Darren Norris & Susan Blakeslee as The Centaurs

Release
The film was released in theaters worldwide on December 20, 2002

Reception
The film was well received by audiences for its characters and heart, but mixed for its story and animation. The film received a 71% on Rotten Tomatoes with the consensus stating “Starlight has a heartfelt, if not complicated, story and likable characters, but it feels like a Disney wannabe”. The film grossed out $82 million dollars worldwide and was, unfortunately, deemed the studio’s first box-office failure.