Film Review: The NeverEnding Story (1984)

in Movies & TV Shows2 years ago

(source: tmdb.org)

Like it or not, great literature these days is more likely to be experienced through screen adaptations than actual books. Those adaptations are almost always inferior to the original, because something always gets lost in translation between different media. German author Michael Ende was thus very displeased when he first saw 1984 adaptation of his popular fantasy novel The NeverEnding Story and he later even tried to disassociate himself from the film through lawsuit. The audience had quite another opinion and the film, known as the first English language production directed by Wolfgang Petersen and the most expensive film in history of German cinema by that time, became global box office hit and part of 1980s popular culture.

The protagonist, played by Barret Oliver, is Bastien, young boy who has recently lost mother and tries to find solace in world of fantasy and daydreaming. One day, after being chased by school bullies, he finds shelter in book store where he finds its owner Coreander (played by Thomas Hill) reading the strange book. After being warned that it is too intense for him, he nevertheless “borrows” it and begins to read. The book describes the strange and wonderful world of Fantasia which has recently began to be gobbled by malevolent force called Nothing. The only person that can stop it is Childlike Empress (played by Tammi Stronach), but she is mortally ill. The only person that can find the cure is boy warrior Atreyu (played by Noah Hathaway) who begins long and perilous journey. As he becomes engrossed in the story, Bastien begins to suspect that he can actually affect the characters and the plot.

Wolfgang Petersen, based on his previous film, gritty war epic Das Boot, looked somewhat odd choice for director of a family-oriented film. His skills with big budget production, though, are quite evident in this film made with elaborate and expensive sets in Bavaria Film studios in Munich, as well as with the best visual effects pre-CGI technology could offer. Film looks and sounds impressive, the latter helped by memorable score by Klaus Doldinger who was aided by Giorgio Moroder providing title song performed by Limahl, that would become big hit of its time. The script represents intriguing exploration of a relation between fiction and reality and can be enjoyed by thinking and more adult audience, while at the same time it is relatively simple adventure story youngest audience can easily understand and enjoy. Three child actors – Oliver, Stronach and Hathaway (who almost died while shooting some physically demanding scenes) – do great job and it is somewhat disappointing that they didn’t pursue acting careers while adults. While generally good film, The NeverEnding Story has some serious flaws. Certain creative choices were less than fortunate, and one example could be found in character of Falkor (voiced by Alan Oppenheimer) who is accepted as dragon by audience only after being explicitly referenced as such. The ending seems somewhat rushed and the script actually covers only the first half of Ende’s novel. Sequels, made years later and with completely new cast, were predictably inferior but The NeverEnding Story nevertheless maintained its good reputation, although more adult audience would probably appreciate less if it doesn’t feel strong nostalgia towards 1980s.

RATING: 6/10 (++)

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very interesting movie

Film is good, but the book is way better!

Yes, is it true? It's like a very interesting story in a book.

One of my favorite movies... EVER!

Such a shame that the second one is not so good.


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