Common Sense Media Review
By Brian Costello
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Low-budget sci-fi disaster with some swearing.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Stardust
What's the Story?
Scientist Karol Wasacz (Olek Krupa) has invented a bio-chip -- a computer chip that can give life to inanimate objects and offer endless scientific potential for the benefit of all mankind. But when he overhears his boss talking with a defense contractor about how the bio-chip will be used for war, Wasacz absconds with the bio-chip, hides it in his house, and is then framed for arson by his evil boss and sent to prison. While using an ancient vacuum made by an old company called STARDUST, Karol's son Charlie vacuums the bio-chip, and slowly but surely, Stardust comes to life. Charlie needs to learn the secret of the bio-chip, and must find a way to free his father before the evil corporate scientists find the bio-chip in the old vacuum cleaner.
Is It Any Good?
Stardust could have gone the quirky route, or it could have gone the action-packed route, but instead, the movie plods along with all the slowness of an old vacuum cleaner. After all the action of the first 10 minutes, culminating with the father being sent to jail after being framed for arson, scenes drag out longer than necessary, to say nothing of the scenes that feel superfluous. The vacuum cleaner that is supposedly brought to life doesn't even develop much of a personality until the very end; before that, it spits gunk and eventually learns to repeat the word "peace" over and over again.
Perhaps the most interesting thing about Stardust is that it was filmed on-location in Hamtramck, Michigan. The acting is decent, and had this been in more capable hands, this movie could have been entertaining. Instead, the low budget and amateur-hour feel hinder any potential this movie had to be worthwhile viewing.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about low-budget films. What are the challenges in making a film with limited resources? Are there any good ones?
What would have improved this movie?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : January 1, 1998
- Cast : Anthony Hamilton , Jared Robbins , Olek Krupa
- Director : Charles F. Cirgenski
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : MTI Home Video
- Genre : Science Fiction
- Topics : Robots
- Run time : 93 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language and mild violence
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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