The NeverEnding Story (1984)

Wonderful!

This movie was just as great as when I saw it as a little kid. I highly recommend it to people of all ages. December 26, 2008

a children's movie classic

I remember when this film was first released in the theatres in 1984 and the incredible hype that followed it. The Never Ending Story, based on the book by German author Michael Ende, was the pinnacle of children's fantasy filmaking in the 80's and in many ways superior to its contemporaries The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth. The special effects, however dated, were state of the art at the time and can still move audiences.

But what is most impressive is the imagination behind the world of The Never Ending Story. Fantasia is as wonderful a land to visit as Middle-Earth or Oz. With its assortment of fairyland creatures and engaging storyline, it's no wonder that this film has gone on to become a classic. So much thought and care went into designing this film that you won't even be able to forget the catchy theme song performed by 80's rock star Limahl.

In The Never Ending Story, a young boy named Bastian (Barret Oliver) discovers a mysterious book with a strange emblem on the cover in an antique book shop. The book is called The Never Ending Story. Bastian decides to cut class and hide in his school's attic so that he can read the book undisturbed. Here Bastian follows the adventures of a young warrior boy called Atreyu (Noah Hathaway). However, Bastian soon learns that this mysterious book is aware of his every action. Bastian does not know that he is a part of The Never Ending Story which is taking place in real time even as he reads it. Bastian will have to come to grips with the recent death of his mother as well as the fact that he is the only one who can save Fantasia and the Childlike Princess (Tami Stronach) from the terrible Nothing which is threatening to destroy it.

The Never Ending Story is directed by acclaimed filmmaker Wolfgang Petersen and composed by Klaus Doldinger. This film went on to spawn two sequels and two short-lived T.V. mini series. This is a wonderful film that all children ripe with bursting imaginations and fantasy lovers alike will enjoy. December 20, 2008

A lesson for all ages, but mostly us, the so-called grown-ups.

In our high-tech, unimaginative world, this movie reminds us of what truly matters - the need to keep fantasy alive! It's a wonderful lesson! November 25, 2008

The Never Ending Story

This is a great movie for all ages. It's a modern "Wizard of Oz" story and I hghly recommend it. November 22, 2008

Imaginative and beautiful

This is one of the most wonderfully imaginative movies that every child should see. It has wonderful imagery as well as a tone that encourages them to do their own imagining.

I remember loving this movie when I was a child. When it came to DVD, I bought it up immediately and found, to my surprise, that I still loved it. That's the charm of a well-told story. This is one that children will eat up and parents will enjoy watching with them: both to see their children's eyes light up as well as to simply watch this movie for themselves.

Some of the effects are a little cheesily done by today's standards, but you might be surprised to find that the vast majority are still quite nice even under the more jaded scrutiny of today's audience. That is a testament both of the love and care that was put into constructing this film, and also the simple fact that simple effects, used effectively, can be just as powerful to a story as full CG rendering.


The magic of this film gets diluted in the followups, but this is a classic that all children should see. November 20, 2008

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