I was once accused - more than once, actually - of giving any movie with Meg Ryan an extra half-star; I may have mentioned that in a previous blog.

Naturally, the accusation was unfounded despite my having a crush on Ryan at the time.

Also, the prime accuser was TV columnist Susan Young, a colleague who’s always been quick with the needle.

Now I find I’m questioning my judgment about Claire Danes movies.

I interviewed her once. I liked her. She was a little eccentric, seemed a semi-free spirit, and she was gorgeous.

Still, when the interview was over, it was on to the next person, project and thing for me.

I appreciated her in “Shopgirl” despite some misgivings about the picture.

And I found her radiant - although some of the radiance was computer-generated - in “Stardust,” the new adult fairy tale in which she plays a fallen star - the kind from the sky, not the tabloids.

Other reviews have trashed her performance; too artsy was the gist; couldn’t buy the Brit-speak was a specific criticism.

I didn’t pick up on any of that, which suggests: a. they were wrong; b. i was biased; c. i was too absorbed in the story to notice. (The answer is a.)

Whatever the case, her performance didn’t bother me.

I wanted to get caught up in the magic. And other than a couple of story lags, “Stardust” was one of the most enjoyable adult fantasies I’ve seen in ages.

I never got into the Neil Gaiman novel it’s based upon; didn’t care for the writing.

But sliding into the film was a breeze. I appreciated its “Princess Bride”-ish flavor, the cast - De Niro and Michelle Pfeiffer along with male lead Charlie Cox - as well as the tasty dark humor, the whimsy and the sweetness.

In a world where magic, witches and ghosts co-exist with normal people, a handsome but clumsy villager is told by the spoiled but pretty woman (Sienna Miller) he desires that she’ll give him a tumble if he brings her a star, and fallen would be just fine.

So off he goes to the mystical land beyond the wall that separates the two worlds and pursues the celestial thing that turns out to be Danes.

In parallel but overlapping tales: a king’s (Peter O’Toole) surviving sons search for the ruby that caused the star to fall, because the one who retrieves it will be the next king; and an ages-old witch (Pfeiffer) searches for the star, because its heart holds the secret to eternal youth.

Pirates and other knaves also play into the shenanigans.

Bottom line: The picture’s a wonderful diversion and an excellent choice for a date movie.

Promoters and some critics compare it to “The Princess Bride.” That’s true as far as the humor, cameos, romance and giddy storytelling.

Which is a lot.

One difference: “Stardust” includes pop-culture references; “Princess Bride” includes Billy Crystal doing shtick.

Both are captivating adult fantasies that should play well with savvy children, too.

There aren’t many perhaps because Hollywood doesn’t think they sell.

Films like “Pretty Woman,” “The Princess Diaries” and “Notting Hill” don’t count because, comparatively, they’re grounded; no witches except metaphorically.

Guess we’ll find out if there’s a future for the real thing by seeing how “Stardust” does this week (the critics-proof “Rush Hour 3″ will top the box office) and next; the key being how the adult fantasy does the second and third weeks, which will reflect word-of-mouth and repeat business.

Whatever happens, the film should score a bundle overseas and on DVD, especially if the disc’s released in time for the holidays. It would make a great gift. I know I want one.