Mjeteconer Just perfect...

Noutions Good movie, but best of all time? Hardly . . .

Bereamic Awesome Movie

Keeley Coleman The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

david-sarkies I'm sort of wandering how popular this film was back when it was released though I'm not all that sure if it really had the staying power that some films have. However, a quick glance does reveal that it is reasonably liked, and I guess a lot of gen-Xers look back on it with fondness as one of those films they watched when they were children and really enjoyed it. The problem is that some of these films are so directed towards children that when we come back to them as adults the magic seems to have worn off. The film really does show its age though, particularly since this was back in the days when films were made using models and puppets - no CGI back then. The other thing that stands out is that it is one of those films where we have a boy in an attic reading a book, and the story that he is reading is being played out before us on the big screen. This can be a little annoying at times as it tends to interrupt the flow of the narrative, and also comes across as pretty cheesy at times. I noticed that this technique was also used with A Princess Bride, but we generally don't see it happening all that much these days. Another thing that stood out is how back then films would generally have a song produced with it to help with marketing, and in this instance it was a pop song by a one hit wonder called Lamahl, titled not surprisingly 'The Never Ending Story'. This, once again, is something that really doesn't seem to happen these days. Okay, you do have the occasional film that happens to have a bunch of songs connected to it, such as Baby Driver and Atomic Blonde, but the whole 'sound-track' doesn't seem to be a thing anymore. Honestly, I'm not sure if I can really give this film a rating because while I thought it was wonderful back when I was much younger, I don't really think all that much about it these days. Okay, I won't go as far as suggesting that the plot was cheesy, or the acting bad, that was not the case. However, it is clear that this film was a children's film. In fact many of the fantasy movies back in those days tended to be targeted at children, and it is only since Lord of the Rings that they have been aiming for a broader audience. I guess the reason for that is that fantasy and fairy tales tended to be seen as one and the same, yet by the time Lord of the Rings came out, the Dungeons and Dragons generation had grown up and were starting to have kids of their own. I guess this is a fun film to watch, and even with the lack of CGI, it still has an authentic feel about it. For many of us, this is a film that we remember fondly as kids, and while it might not have the same magic today as it did back then, it isn't a movie that should be consigned to the dustbin of history, but rather one that should be brought our again every so often to charm and enchant the younger generation.

one-nine-eighty This is one of those unique films I've watched as a child under the age of 10 in the 80's and as a grown man in my late 30's. I grew up abroad so further to the unique factors I can add that I've seen the film in English and in German - so I have seen both the major versions (although there aren't many differences truth be told). If you'd have asked me as a child what I thought of this I'd have been full of positives and compliments. It had good guys, bad guys, warriors, monsters and even a furry flying dragon/dog thing. It showed how a bullied bookworm dealt with his problems and became a hero in his own world. I'd have probably given this about 8 out of 10 (beaten of course by Transformers and He-Man movies). As a 35+ year old I can see all the flaws that I never saw as a child. For example, the bullied child steals a book from an old man, he cuts class to avoid a maths test, and then he breaks into a forbidden part of the school before emerging himself in a fantasy world - he's a psychologist's dream case!! OK, aside from the bad lifestyle choices this is still an enjoyable film; it got a surprising pace to it for a film of its era, almost constantly on the move. The film follows a young child reading a book but living the adventure that he's reading until he becomes part of the adventure. He learns a lot about himself on the fantastical journey that he is witness to, either vicariously through the book or in the world that is created as a result of the story. I remember the CGI at the time was unparalleled; looking back it's terrible and dated. My girlfriend has read the book and as a purist when it comes to entertainment media, when we re-watched this film as adults she remarked how the film was different from the book a few times. Reading trivia about the film I can see why and where too but let's face it, not everybody is going to know what or where. If I stop being an adult for a minute I can actually still appreciate that this film is ok, even begrudgingly by today's standards. I'd probably give the film 7 out of 10 nowadays so all in all when you roll that up with the 8 out of 10 I'd have given it as a child, this film scores alright still. Suspend your disbelief or put your child in front of this film and there's still enjoyment to be had. As I can't award half stars I'm going to make a stand and award this 7 out of 10.

Paul Magne Haakonsen "The Neverending Story" was a big hit back in my childhood, and I do remember watching it a bunch of times back when I was a kid. So it was most definitely with some fond memories at heart that I sat down to re-visit the land of Fantasia and all the marvelous creatures that dwell there.First of all, I must say that there are definitely a lot of dark elements to this fantasy story. Elements which I think are at times bordering on being just too extreme for being kiddie friendly. Here I am thinking about the evil entity that hunts Bastian, the swamp scene with the sinking horse, and the like. It just hovers in a grey area where it lingers between being a family movie or not. But still, I watched it as a kid, and I will also introduce it to my son when he is old enough to take an interest in movies beyond cartoons.The story told in "The Neverending Story" is a timeless story, the story of the struggle between good and evil. But there is more to it than just that. There is also the aspect of imagination is an important thing to have, the value of friendship, the stoicism of having a goal set and wanting to reach that goal, and so on. So there is a lot of different aspects to the movie, so there should be something that appeals to just about anyone watching it.Granted the movie is from 1984, but the special effects are actually still fairly good and passable even today. Sure, there were some things that were not all that good, but in general the effects have withstood the test of time.Now, a movie such as "The Neverending Story" is filled with lovable characters, both actual humans and created creatures brought to life by special effects and make-up. And that kind of diversity is something that I love, especially since I am an avid fan of the fantasy genre and universe that is allows you to delve into with the use of your imagination.The acting in the movie was good, and the people hired for the various roles, be it actual roles on the screen or voice acting were doing good jobs in bringing their individual roles and characters to life on the screen."The Neverending Story" is definitely a memorable movie that will stick with you many years after you have watched it. And it is also the type of movie that you can return to again and again.So sit back and ride into the mists of Fantasia on the back of Falkor. Enjoy your stay and take in the sights and wonders that is the fantasy world brought to life on the screen.

grantss Bastian is a young boy, still recovering from the death of his mother. His school work and extramural activities are suffering and he is being bullied by a bunch of young louts. One day, while trying to escape the bullies he finds shelter in a book shop. He borrows a certain book, The Neverending Story, and reads it in the school attic. He soon finds himself immersed in a fantastical world...A fairly conventional children's fantasy tale. Pretty much a join- the-dots adventure story set in an imaginary land, complete with wizards, dragons and similar things. I was hoping for an enchanting, engaging story but this is pretty much plot-driven, and its just your usual made-for-kids rambling plot.Special effects look dated now but were probably quite good for their time.Has its moments but mostly quite dull. Kids should love it though.