I grew up in a time when fantasy films were a dime a dozen. Movies like the whimsical “Neverending Story” or the mind trip called “Labyrinth” were common fare in the 1980s, transporting audiences into worlds where Muppets reigned supreme and acting took a backseat to wonder. Somewhere between “Chronicles of Narnia” and “The Bridge to Terabithia,” fantasy films lost their charm. With the exception of “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, the fantasy genre was as good as dead in my book.

Then came director Matthew Vaughn’s “Stardust.”

Equal parts Terry Gilliam and Peter Jackson, “Stardust” marks Vaughn’s first foray into the fantasy realm. Known for his edgy work on “Layer Cake,” his newest film could not be further from London’s criminal underworld.

Based on acclaimed writer Neil Gaiman’s (“Sandman,” “Anansi Boys”) book of the same name, “Stardust” is undeniably one of the best films of the summer. Superlatives aside, in the summer of a half dozen blockbuster threequels where unoriginality is the name of the game, “Stardust” at the very least has an air of freshness that these other franchises have seemingly lost.

As with most good fantasy stories, the film begins in England (or a reasonable facsimile). “Stardust” follows the tale of the hapless Tristan Thorne (Charlie Cox) as he tries to win the heart of the shallow but beautiful Victoria (Sienna Miller) by retrieving a shooting star (played wonderfully by Claire Danes) that lands just beyond a magical wall that borders his quaint quiet village. Adventures ensue, good triumphs over evil and everyone lives happily ever after.

The story threatens to become cliché if it not for its fantastical sense of humor. The chorus of dead ghost brothers vying for the dead king’s (Peter O’Toole) crown provide a hilarious counterpoint to the sometimes overly dramatic main storyline. For every moment in which the melodrama becomes overdone, a cleverly crafted joke comes along to deflate it. It’s a testament to the strength of the script when you can get lost in the story and not worry about the corniness that’s inherent in a film about witches and magic spells.

Which brings me to the best part of the film. While the action, art direction and special effects are all top notch, the highlight of the film is its casting. Though Charlie Cox is passably forgettable as the protagonist, Robert De Niro as the ruthlessly foppish sky-pirate, Captain Shakespeare, and Michelle Pfeiffer as the malevolently wicked Lamia the witch make every moment they grace the screen an absolute joy. Their performances alone make the film worth watching. To cap it all off, Ricky Gervais’ (“The Office”) turn as an underhanded merchant is so memorable that it is a shame it is so short. The foundation of the film is its characters, each unique and brilliant in their own way.

“Stardust” is a wonderfully crafted adaptation full of action and humor that rekindles the faltering fantasy genre. Matthew Vaughn and Neil Gaiman have created a beautiful, absorbing world that is a must see for anyone who grew up with fantasy films of the 1980s or anyone who is simply tired of the endless sequels this summer. Forget the fifth “Harry Potter;” you know what happens. Instead, go watch “Stardust” — you’ll be pleasantly and magically surprised.