Compared to the book?

There are quite a few differences brewin between the book and the film. The time time periods between scenes is one that ibdont think would translate well to film.

I do strongly suggest reading it, it is a short read. And enjoyable.

I like each version for its own spin.

The book is superior to the movie by far! The movie seems rushed because some characters were expanded (to make better use of the actors playing the parts) so scenes were changed/added cutting others that helped with the pacing.

Gaimen is a wonderful writer but this book didn't transition to the big screen as well as I hoped it would. Coraline was a more successful book to screen project.

I enjoy this movie, but watching it again I do feel there are some strange moments. For instance, timing just feels weird. When they are on the pirate ship I thought they had been there for a long time, but it turns out to be only a day or two. I know Tristan needs to get the star back to Victoria within a week but that made everything that happened seem implausible for me. For some reason I thought that time in Stormhold was meant to be far quicker than time in the Wall (like a month in Stormhold would only be a day or two in the Wall), but then I realized when Yvaine said something about the timeframe that it was meant to be the same. Just made everything on the ship seem like too much (for instance, Tristan learning to fence).

I also agree that the final battle is weird. Mainly I don't know why the witch fakes out Tristan and Yvaine. She releases them only to be like "Ha just kidding!" but it seemed like such a stupid thing to do. I know they needed to have Tristan/Yvaine beat her, but it was a bit of a copout. Now I know this is a fantasy and not everything is meant to be totally plausible. I get that, and I actually don't mind this. I am just pointing these things out. I still really like the movie.

The movie is definitely better than the book.

The movie fixes some of the problems in the book and introduces some interesting elements or twists (e.g., Captain Shakespeare). Of course, it then introduces its own problems. But in the end it's a more satisfying trip.

The book is fine, just nothing particularly special and nowhere near any of Gaiman's better work, which can at times be breathaking it's so good. Although Gaiman wasn't a writer on the film, I can't help but think he had some input on streamlining some of the plot points. For example (and this is not a spoiler), in the book, Tristan has a father and mother. In the movie, he only has a father. How this is resolved is much better in the movie.

Anyway, they're both good...go enjoy both!

It was a clear cut fantasy film. You need to remember, this wasn't meant to be some dramatic action film. It was a cute fantasy film in the vein of classic romantic fantasy tales like the princess bride. It's a family film and to me it's a great story. I cared about the characters regardless of how cheesy it gets at times and I knew that it wasn't meant to be taken too seriously especially since it's supposed to be the kind of movie that you could see with your family.