Bastian (Barret Oliver) is a 10 year-old boy recovering from him mother's recent death. His father (Gerald McRaney) is tyrannical and badgers him for daydreaming and doing poorly in school. In the schoolyard he is harassed by bullies. One day he goes to a strange bookstore run by Mr. Koreander (Thomas Hill) and finds "The Neverending Story", a book where he finds refuge in a magical fantasy.
Koreander: "Your books are safe. While you're reading them, you get to become Tarzan or Robinson Crusoe."
Bastian: "But that's what I like about 'em."
Koreander: "Ahh, but afterwards you get to be a little boy again."
Bastian: "Wh-what do you mean?"
Koreander: "Listen. Have you ever been Captain Nemo, trapped inside your submarine while the giant squid is attacking you?"
Bastian: "Yes."
Koreander: "Weren't you afraid you couldn't escape?"
Bastian: "But it's only a story."
Koreander: "That's what I'm talking about. The ones you read are safe."
Bastian: "And that one isn't?"
In the land of Fantasia, the sickly Childlike Empress (Tami Stronach) at the Ivory Tower contends with a strange force called The Nothing that is consuming her land. The Nothing is caused by bad dreams and hopeless fantasies.
Bastian: "What is that?"
Empress: "One grain of sand. It is all that remains of my vast empire."
Bastian: "Fantasia has totally disappeared?"
Empress: "Yes."
Bastian: "Then, everything's been in vain."
Empress: "No, it hasn't. Fantasia can arise anew, from your dreams and wishes, Bastian."
She sends a young warrior Atreyu (Noah Hathaway) to find a cure, and he encounters many unusual creatures such as rock-eating giants and swamp monsters. Morla, a large tortoise, doesn't care that the Childlike Empress is ill and Fantasia is perishing. He says, " We don't even care whether or not we care." Atreyu crosses the Sea of Possibilities, goes through the Swamp of Sadness, and flies on Falkor the luck dragon. Bastian is so engrossed in the story that he enters Fantasia and helps Atreyu save Fantasia.
Narrator: "Bastian made many other wishes, and had many other amazing adventures - before he finally returned to the ordinary world. But that's... another story."
Like THE PRINCESS BRIDE (1987), the movie is a tale-within-a-tale. It is a slow-starting intelligent children's fantasy suitable for family viewing. There is some stimulus to the imagination, but not much humour. Special effects are lavish and the visual design is wonderful. However, it is a little heavy-handed with complex philosophizing and a meandering plot. But the script is sweet without being overly sentimental.
THE NEVERENDING STORY is adapted from Michael Ende's 1979 novel, "Die Unendliche Geschichte" translated by Ralph Manheim in 1983. Others in the cast include: Sydney Bromley (Engywook), Moses Gunn (Cairon), Deep Roy (Teeny Weeny), Tilo Pruechner (Night Hob), Patricia Hayes (Urgle), Drum Garrett, Darryl Cooksey, Nicholas Gilbert, Heinz Reincke, Frank Lenart, Silia Seidel, and others. The somewhat inappropriate music is by Klaus Doldinger and Giorgio Moroder. Herman Weigel and Wolfgang Petersen wrote the screenplay. Wolfgand Petersen directed.
NEVERENDING STORY II: THE NEXT CHAPTER (1990) is a little disappointing compared to the original. Bastian (Jonathan Brandis) feels alone because his mother is dead, father is too busy, and the swim coach complains of his "high wimp factor". He returns to Fantasia, reunites with Atreyu (Kenny Morrison) and meets Nimbly, a talking large bird.
Bastian: "Atreyu, get real."
Atreyu: "But I am real. What do you mean by 'getting real?'"
Bastian: "Nothing. It's a joke."
Atreyu: "Being real is a joke in your world?"
Characters from the first film have minor roles. The Childlike Empress is played by Alexandra Johnes. Bastian contends with "The Emptiness" and is manipulated by evil sorceress Xayda (Clarissa Burt) and her army of mechanical giants. This sequel is inferior, a little cheesy with unspecial effects and some violence, but it does contain the first Bugs Bunny cartoon in 26 years, "Box Office Bunny". Karin Howard scripted and Robert Folk composed the music. George Miller directed.
NEVERENDING STORY III: ESCAPE FROM FANTASIA (1994) is the weakest in the series. Bastian Bux (Jason James Richter) is a pre-teen who doesn't like his new stepsister or new school. He is bullied at school by a group called the "Nasties" who are featured in the story which stresses reality instead of fantasy.
Dog (a Nasty) "Hey Slip, what about the luck dragon?"
Falkor: "Oh no, this isn't my favorite part of the story."
Slip (a Nasty): "Looks like he's all out of luck."
The charm of the original is missing and the Fantasians have been scattered far and wide. This entry includes many creatures from the Jim Henson Creature Shop for the first time. Barky the Bark Troll (Kaefan Shaw), a walking and talking tree, has a large role. Karin Howard wrote the story and Jeff Lieberman wrote the screenplay. Music is by Per Gessle and Peter Wolf. Peter MacDonald directed.
