The NeverEnding Story
1984 | PG | Fantasy, Adventure | d. Wolfgang Petersen
Barret Oliver, Noah Hathaway, Alan Oppenheimer
Based on the 1979 German novel by Michael Ende and directed by Wolfgang Petersen (Das Boot), it is one of the most imaginative and visually spectacular of all children’s films. A depressed young boy withdraws from reality and into the adventures in a mystical book. He becomes a warrior on a journey of courage and hope through the land of Fantasia, a place where nobody cares and which is being consumed by The Nothing. The joys of reading have seldom been expressed more eloquently on film. Brilliant full-scale physical creatures (No CGI in 1984!) and a rousing techno-pop music score by Giorgio Moroder make this perfect family entertainment! - JD
One of the most endearing fantasy films of the 1980s, The NeverEnding Story combines an array of otherworldly creatures with the usual coming of age story, juxtaposing young Bastian's (Barret Oliver) adventures (through literacy even) with the “child-like empress” and heroic Atreyu (Noah Hathaway). Particularly effective however is the cinematography and locations, filmed in Europe by German director Wolfgang Peterson. The animatronic puppet creatures, especially Falkor the luck dragon, with his dog-like face and emotions, possess that unique quality, detached from reality yet credible as living beings, which more recent computer-effectys films seldom capture. Although the cast is a solid mix of child talent and veteran character players, including Deep Roy (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) as the snail-riding Teeny Weeny, they take a backseat to the creatures and world of Fantasia, a spectacle which truly should be seen on a theater screen. Several of the actors and creatures were re-dubbed, mostly by Alan Oppenheimer (himself an 80s fantasy icon, as the voice of Skeletor on He-Man). - AL