Back in my day, movies were about cowboys, gangsters, or maybe a good ol’ musical. Now, we’ve got kids flying on giant luckdragons and battling… whatchamacallits in fantasy lands. This “NeverEnding Story” sounds like something my grandkids would drag me to, filled with those special effects that make my eyes roll. But hey, maybe it’ll be a nice nap.
They say it’s about a kid who escapes into a book. Sounds like a good way to avoid chores, if you ask me. But will it be entertaining? Or just another one of those movies where I spend half the time trying to figure out what’s going on? Let’s see if this “Atreyu” kid has what it takes to save Fantasia, or if he’s just going to give me a headache.
Review by Ben Dover
Oh great, another “beloved classic” I have to sit through. Look, I’ve been reviewing movies since before most of you were born, and let me tell you something about The NeverEnding Story – it should have ended. Several times. It’s still got all that fantasy mumbo-jumbo that I usually can’t stand. But there’s something about it… maybe it’s the nostalgia. Reminds me of those old adventure serials I used to watch as a kid, only with fancier special effects.
First off, who names their kid Bastian Balthazar Bux? His parents must’ve hated him even before his mother died. No wonder the kid escapes into books – I would too with a name like that. And don’t get me started on that bookstore owner who basically commits grand theft novel by letting Bastian steal that book. Real responsible adult behavior there, pal.
The acting is… well, it’s kid acting. They’re not Laurence Olivier, but they’re not terrible either. That Atreyu kid is pretty spunky, I’ll give him that. And the girl who plays the Childlike Empress is cute as a button. Though I still don’t understand why they dress them up in those weird costumes.
Now, Fantasia. Or as I like to call it, “The Land of Budget Puppets.” Don’t get me wrong, for 1984 some of the effects are… acceptable. That giant racing snail actually reminded me of my ex-wife’s cooking – slow and slimy. But that luck dragon Falkor? Looks like someone skinned my grandmother’s bathroom rug and stuck googly eyes on it. Kids today with their fancy CGI wouldn’t last five minutes with these practical effects.
The Nothing? Really? That’s the best name they could come up with for the big bad evil force? I’ve seen more creative names in my grandson’s finger painting collection. Though I must admit, as a metaphor for the death of imagination, it’s… actually pretty clever. But don’t tell anyone I said that.
I will say this – that scene with Artax the horse in the Swamp of Sadness? Brutal. Nearly made this old critic shed a tear. Nearly. I had something in my eye, okay? And the Sphinx gate sequence actually had me on the edge of my seat. Maybe it was just my sciatica acting up, but still.
The whole “breaking the fourth wall” thing where Bastian has to give the Childlike Empress a new name? Okay, fine, that was kind of brilliant. But why didn’t he just name her Susan or something? Would’ve saved us all about 20 minutes of runtime.
The special effects overall are actually pretty good for the time. That luckdragon Falkor is a sight to behold, even if he does look like a giant fluffy dog. And the Rockbiter is… well, he’s a rock that bites. What more do you want? The music is that typical fantasy stuff, all soaring strings and epic choirs. It’s effective, I guess, but it’s not something I’d listen to on my own.
Look, as much as it pains me to admit it, this movie has… something. Maybe it’s the practical effects that actually required skill instead of some kid with a computer. Maybe it’s the fact that it takes childhood depression seriously instead of solving everything with a pop song and a dance number like these days. Or maybe I’m just getting soft in my old age.
Rating: 3.5/5 Doggie Dragons- Would’ve been higher but that theme song is still stuck in my head after 40 years. TurrrrrrrRN AROUNNNNND… Thanks Wolfgang Petersen, I didn’t need my sanity anyway.
And get off my lawn.
Rating:
4 out of 5 stars
Starring:
- Barret Oliver as Bastian Balthazar Bux: A young boy who escapes into a book.
- Noah Hathaway as Atreyu: A young warrior on a quest to save Fantasia.
- Tami Stronach as the Childlike Empress: The ruler of Fantasia.
- Alan Oppenheimer (voice) as Falkor the Luckdragon
Special Effects:
The special effects are impressive for their time, featuring animatronics, puppets, and some early CGI. Falkor the Luckdragon is a particularly memorable creation.
Music:
The score by Klaus Doldinger is a classic of the fantasy genre, with soaring themes and memorable melodies.
Synopsis and Plot Breakdown:
Bastian, a lonely boy who loves to read, discovers a mysterious book called “The NeverEnding Story.” He begins to read it and is drawn into the magical world of Fantasia, which is threatened by a destructive force called “The Nothing.” Fantasia’s only hope lies with the young warrior Atreyu, who is on a quest to find a cure for the Childlike Empress, who is fading away. As Bastian reads, he becomes more and more involved in the story, eventually realizing that he is the only one who can save Fantasia.
Famous Quotes:
- “Fantasia needs you, Bastian.”
- “Nothing can stop The Nothing.”
- “Turn around, Atreyu! It’s too late!”
- “I’m a luckdragon!”
- “You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”
Notes from the Movie:
- The movie was based on the novel of the same name by Michael Ende.
- Falkor the Luckdragon was created using a combination of animatronics and puppetry.
- The movie was a huge success, grossing over $100 million worldwide.
- There were two sequels to the movie, but neither of them was as successful as the original.
- The song “The NeverEnding Story” by Limahl became a huge hit.
Trailer: