The Neverending Story
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Movie Reviews of The Neverending Story
Movie Review: FALCOR!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
"The NeverEnding Story" is, in my opinion, one of the best movies ever made. I was first mesmerized by this movie when it came out in 1984, and all of these years later I am still completely glued to the screen when I watch it.When Bastian is tricked into borrowing a particular book, he opts to skip school and read it in the attic. The book, as it turns out, involves him in more ways than one. It is a story about Fantasia, a world that is succumbing to The Nothing. The Childlike Empress, who is also ill, sends for Fantasia's best hero, Atreyu, to find a way to stop the Nothing. Along the way, he meets a luckdragon name Falcor, and together they bring Fantasia's salvation back to the Childlike Empress.
The casting of Atreyu (Noah Hathaway), Bastian (Barret Oliver), and the Childlike Empress (Tami Stronach) was outstanding. The emotions that these three displayed in the movie was nothing short of perfection, ranging the guantlet from estatic, to sad, to fearful, etc. They are the very reasons that you will get wrapped up in this movie.
It is interesting to note that, for some reason, these three did not enjoy huge success after the movie. Granted, "The NeverEnding Story" was not a box office success, but there was raw talent in them waiting to be unleashed. Noah Hathway disappeared from in front of the screen in 1986, made one movie in 1992, and disappeared again until showing up behind the scenes in two movies in 1999 and one in 2001. Barret Oliver starred in several movies (best known is D.A.R.Y.L in 1985) and made many TV guest appearences until 1989, when he disappeared from the screen. And Tami Stronach was introduced to movie goers in this movie, but never made another movie after it.
I wholeheartedly recommend that you buy this movie. You will never regret it.
Movie Review: Favorite Movie Ever For Almost Two Decades
Summary: 5 Stars
I have always said "They just don't make movies like this anymore" and it's true. It is not entirely consistent with the book and it does leave off at a point from which the sadly lacking sequel picks up, but it's an amazing film. The creatures, the characters and the story are all wonderful and breathtaking. They really just do NOT make them like this anymore. This has been my all-time favorite movie since it first came out when I was about ten.Being a movie and being limited to a certain time span, they could not include all of the deep intricacies of the book which I have bought four or five times and read at least five times. One of the few other stories I can compare this with is "The Little Prince". Children will find it delightful--that goes without saying--but only someone who has aged in years and otherwise is likely to appreciate the profound lessons behind the story. The same goes also with "The Little Prince".
If you're like me, you may also comprehend this story (although, more so, the book) to a degree which is actually almost depressing. Sometimes, the harsh truth about reality can only be best conveyed through fantasy and make-believe.
The NeverEnding Story seems to boil down to the matter of how youth and innocence is taken from you as you grow older. In the book, the Gmork, who served under the Nothing, told Atreyu that the only way he could cross over the border from Fantasia ("Fantastica" in the book), was to become a "lie" that children tell and that no one would believe. It's an amazing analogy for all that is special and pure about being young that is forsaken when you get older. If you like this movie, please read the book and read also "The Little Prince".
Movie Review: The Inner Quest of the Hero... Alive and well.
Summary: 5 Stars
I recently re-watched "The Neverending Story," not having seen it since I was a young kid, and unlike many TV shows and movies from my childhood, it was everything I remember (and more). The release of this classic on DVD is an event that I look forward to. The adventures of Atrayu and Bastian are truly our own, as the quest to defeat the Nothing is a mirror of the eternal spiritual quest discussed by Joseph Cambell in many writings. While Atrayu makes a physical journey, Bastian makes the journey internally, only to discover that he IS Atrayu and that the story is his own. The special effects are MAGNIFICENT, even by today's standards. In fact, they are better than today's glitzy 3D CGI, because they are a supliment to the storytelling, not a subsitute for it. As I watched the clunky anamatronic face of Falcor, I thought how beautiful he could be in CGI, but then I contemplated the fact that if the movie were made today, and animators spent time in CG making him, he'd HAVE to be the center of the movie, instead of a supporting character, which is where he belongs. There is also a realness, and emotion, on his mechanical face that CGI never seems to capture with its soulless perfection. Even though it was made in the early 80's, I was fascinated at how well they make me feel like I'm really there with Atrayu, standing beneath the monstrosity of the Southern Oracle, in all its bohemoth mammiary glory! We really feel like we're flying with Falcor to the top of the Ivory tower to find the little flower-shaped shrine of Moonchild. This film is visual storytelling at its VERY best.
In short, if you haven't seen this film in a while, use the DVD relaease as an excuse to watch it again. You'll not regret it.
Movie Review: The Never Ending Story
Summary: 5 Stars
THE NEVER ENDING STORY is one of the most incredible fantasy adventures ever made. The unique character designs and magnificent environments spring to life the astonishing and believable world of Fantasia. An array of special effects from the life-like puppets, to green-screening and miniatures, to the gorgeous matte paintings meld to create the epic look and feel of the picture. Although it is based in child fantasy, the film has many dark tones, twisted characters, and a haunting score, which often makes it a frightening experience for younger viewers. A series of meaningful and memorable characters are introduced to the audience, personifying the values of courage (in the brave young warrior Atreyu), wisdom (retained by the apathetic Morla), and valor (as seen in The Rockbiter and others), in addition to the many pathogens attempting to destroy the whimsical world. On top of the High Fantasy elements the film possesses, it also serves as a bold commentary on the death of imagination at the hands of controlling parents and the growing popularity of the visual mediums. Another important theme touches on the loneliness and marginalization of latch-key children that are left to fend for themselves thanks to ambivalent parents. The story consistently breaks the fourth wall, and forces the young Bastian and the viewer to enter the world of Fantasia and participate in the events unfolding on screen right beside Atreyu and his companions. Wolfgang Peterson has truly created one of the finest Fantasy pictures of all time, worthy of a place setting besides other grand epics such as LEGEND, WILLOW, and THE WIZARD OF OZ.
-Carl Manes
I Like Horror Movies
Movie Review: Greatest 80's kids live-action movie
Summary: 5 Stars
I have always loved this movie. Even when I was a child. I saw it for the first time when I was about 6 or 7 and fell in love with it. This movie and my parents influence nurtured my love for reading. I think this is an excellent example of how good it feels to get lost in a book. I remember crying on the sad parts (Rock man: "These look like big, strong hands, don't they"), getting crazy chills on the scary parts and being so excited when the good/heroic things happened (to not give away too much info to those who read this and haven't seen the movie). To this day, some 20 years later, I get the same emotional reactions when I watch this movie.
There aren't many movies like this one out today. In a society that pushes technological advances that overshadow the joys of reading there need to be more movies like this one. That shows the benefit and fun of "curling up with a good book." I don't know if this is a movie for young children or not. Like I said, I saw this for the 1st time when I was 6 or 7 and while some parts did scare me, I loved every minute of it and I understood that it wasn't real. I think parents or older siblings should screen the movie before letting younger children watch it, and make your own decision based on what you know about the child you are thinking about allowing to watch this movie. That's what my father did for me and it worked.
If you are looking for a movie with a great plot, story line, and effects that don't overshadow the story, but help you get lost in it just as well, this is the movie to read.
FYI: If you can get your hands on the book, read it!!! The movie isn't the whole story.