Rating: 
Summary: Good movie
Review: The Neverending Story is a really good movie. Lots of adventure and stuff in it. I've loved this movie ever since i was 8 years old. Yep, it's good.
Rating:
Summary: A Special Film for Young People Who Have Lost a Parent
Review: I absolutely love this movie and have a special place in my heart for it. Although people of every age will find special messages in it just for them, it is especially valuable for young people ages 11-15. That's the age when their reading ability has progressed to the point they can step outside the words on the page and enter the world those words create within their imaginations. And that's really what the movie is about -- imagination. There is a special message of hope here for young people who have recently lost a parent. The movie's main character is struggling with his own feelings of helplessness and sorrow after the loss of his mother. The plot of the book the bookseller slyly tricks him into reading reflects his own emotional deterioration, and through the adventures of its hero he finds the courage to make his way through the despair to conquer his fear and take control of his own fate. In the end, he is led to a cathartic act that serves both as the beginning of his healing and the opening of the world of wonder that lies in the life before him. For young people, the surprise is that they -- as viewers of the movie or readers of the book -- are also characters in the never-ending story. They will see themselves in the story, and like the book in the movie does it will speak directly to them. It's rather like looking at yourself in a mirror when there is also a mirror behind you. As such it is a revelation of the power of the imagination, and whenever they read another book they will understand how their own role as a reader helps provide them with a more satisfying and enriching reading experience.
Rating:
Summary: Great fantasy movie for all ages
Review: I have always loved this movie. I grew up watching it at least once a month. I remember that Atreju, played by the beautiful Noah Hathaway, was my hero. I also remember when the second movie came out and I hated it with a passion, because it lacked what made the first one great....heart. I'm thrilled that now I can finally watch it in widescreen, the way the director, Wolfgang Peterson, intended. This is a true classic that no child should be deprived of.
Rating: 
Summary: NEVERENDING WONDER
Review: I FELL IN LOVE WITH THIS MOVE WHEN I SAW IN ON THE BIG SCREEN WHEN I WAS 12. I THOUGHT THE STORY LINE WAS VERY GOOD. I BOUGHT THIS DVD LAST NIGHT. OVER THE YEARS, WHEN I WOULD SEE THIS MOVE ON CABLE OR ON VHS, IT WAS NEVER IN WIDE SCREEN. I BOUGHT THE LD (USED) AT A PAWN SHOP. I WAS IN WIDE SCREEN, BUT SOMEHOW THEY GOOFED ON THE ASPECT. THE LD WAS 185 BUT THE DVD WAS 235. I WAS VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE CORRECT ASPECT OF THE MOVIE ON DVD. THE FILM LOOKED REALLY GOOD, KNOWING THE AGE OF THE MOVIE. THEY COULD HAVE INCLUDED MORE INFO ON THE MOVIE THEN WHAT THEY DID. THE TRAILER IS PRETTY GOOD. I GAVE THIS DVD 4 STARES CAUSE THEY COULD HAVE INCLUDED MORE ON THE DVD, BUT THE MOVE IS REALLY GREAT! I LOVE IT EVEN THOUGH IM 30 YRS OLD!
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Summary: A beautiful book and an adequate adaptation to the screen
Review: The original book, written by the German author Michael Ende, was one of the books that really turned me on to reading, and especially fantasy books. I read this book (the first time) all the way through, in one sitting, which was about 14 hours straight. I had, I believe, seen the movie at some point before this, but the movie only tells the story of the first half of the book! To be perfectly honest, I would have to say that the movie is disappointing to someone who's read the book, but it certainly has retained some of the child-like fantasy fascination that the book captured in such a powerful way, and is much less imposing to someone who wants to relax for the evening.
The somber mood of the movie matches that of the book fairly well, but it must be remembered that the book itself has a very important message about the abuse of power that defines the second half. All in all, the movie is a good production in and of itself, but the true work of art is the book, which should be a part of any personal and family library.
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Summary: Time to escape!
Review: I got this in the mail today-earlier than expected. What a great surprise! The STORY...finally on DVD! And what a top notch DVD transition. From the time the title tune fades in and the strikingly colorful clouds appear on the screen I was hooked once again with this little bit of childish magic. This widescreen version is a first for me (I was too old, dismissing this when it originally came out and had to discover it on "fit your screen" cable). Let me say I have no complaints about how the STORY looks or sounds. Pay attention and you'll notice things you didn't before. I was amazed at the shimmering scales on the luckdragon, the enormous size of Morla, the detail of Gmork in the confrontation scene (I thought he was just a head but there's legs and a body), all the wonderful little details in Urgl and Engywook's little house. So much more too. And let me say again that the color is amazing! Very little artifacts or graininess. And the soundtrack will fill your room with music! The movie itself is incredible on DVD. This is the only way to watch it!So is there anything I didn't like? Well, I could complain about the lack of extras. There is a "making of" section; but it's just a few paragraphs of text. Informative, but sparse. Commentary is one reason to buy a DVD version. I'd like to know what ever happened to Noah Hathaway, Barret Oliver and the rest of the players. Words from the director can really put a new twist on your impressions of a movie and how they did certain scenes (just watch TIME BANDITS with Terry Gilliam! Great fun!). But we don't get that here. Then again the movie is not priced like a special edition so maybe that's in the future. The theatrical trailer was a welcome extra (WB sometimes leaves that off too). Well, the STORY reminds me that I've been meaning to read LORD OF THE RINGS before the movie comes out...so...see you between the pages...
Rating: 
Summary: Pure Anguish
Review: As I read reviews of this movie, I saw several people complaining about the fact that the movie did in fact end--they called it a ripoff. I call it an act of God. Can you imagine if this movie actually did go on forever? Somebody get the noose! I say Thank God this movie ended. Why, you may ask, do I loathe this film? Well, where shall I start? How about the plot--the idiotic, feeble plot. A boy in the attic of his school (what school has an attic, and why is it filled with creepy, dusty props and manikins?) saves a world peopled with cheesy Star Wars refugees from an encroaching void. Huh? Is it just me, or is that really dumb? Now lets move on to the acting, or lack thereof. I fast-foward many parts of this movie (when strange circumstances have me watching it) just because I can't stand the stiffness of it. It reminds me of those dusty manikins found in my school's attic. Next, the horrible music. My eyes actually water with embarrassment just thinking about it. It sounds remarkably like what would happen if Yanni found his brother's old Casio in the closet and, without planning or skill of any kind, churned out this soundtrack. Finally, the general feel of this movie totally turns me off. Right from the get-go, when that annoying little boy enters the disorganized bookstore and says, "I have 186 books" and then proceeds to list them, lumping James Fenimore Cooper in with Edgar Rice Burroughs. Oh, God! Tear yourself away from yourself! As if that would make me want to go out and read a book--some dopey kid gloating about his intelligence. And the best part is that this story, which boasts that it teaches kids morals and all that jazz, never repremands the brat for being so proud and stuck up! They actually reward him for it, as the bookstore owner is impressed and respects the braggart. It is so preachy, and I don't like having twelve-year-old bigheaded boys telling me right from wrong. Sorry, that's just not my idea of a great film. So therefore, if you like pretentious nonsense that has a bad plot, bad acting, bad music, bad special effects, and bad morals, then The NeverEnding Story is a perfect film for you! Just don't make me watch it with you.
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Summary: An answer to the big question.....
Review: Just in case anyone is wondering, as one reviewer did, the name that Bastien yells out the window at the end of the movie is "Moonchild". My wife happened upon a book version of the story, and it is spelled out there. It is very difficult to understand him in the film, but if you listen carefully, he yells it out in 3 syllables -- "Moon---chi---uld!!!" As for the movie, it's nothing short of a classic. I revisited this movie recently, having not seen it since I was young, when it was my favorite movie. I was struck by some logical inconsistencies (Why is Atreiu the only hope? Aren't there some grown-up Plains warriors who would fare better? Why can't he take his bow and arrow??) But that's the cynical adult in me talking. The movie has such terrific effects and the puppets are incredible. Both the Luck Dragon and the Rock Biter look more real than the digital characters in recent movies.
And as for Bastien's "wish" at the end of the movie.....it's exactly what any little boy would want. What a great movie!!!
Rating:
Summary: Classic! One of my favorite movies.
Review: This movie is an amazing work (based on an incredible book) of imagination. The creatures of Fantasia are so brilliantly rendered. And the visual effects, though unimpressive compared to modern digital effects, help make this a stunning film visually. The characters, all memorable and lovable, are quite impacting. For all lovers of fantasy, and anyone who just loves imagination, this movie is a must-see.
Rating:
Summary: The ultimate fantasy film!
Review: Scoff if you will at the dated appearance and juvenile dialogue of "The Neverending Story," but chances are, if you happen upon someone who has seen the film, your opinions will differ immensely. Based on the novel by Michael Ende, this highly imaginative and visually sumptuous fairy tale is nothing short of astounding, and certainly a step forward in the children's film genre in its time. Truth be told, there is nothing quite like this film, and while attempts at sequels have failed miserably, they are unable to hinder the effect it has on its viewers. It sticks with you, in your mind, from the opening theme song to the stunning visual effects and dark undertones that permeate the story's conflict. The film begins when a young boy is chased down the street and hides in a bookstore to evade his pursuants. Bastian is a small child, though highly educated and an enthusiatic reader, though his mother's recent death have caused his school grades to hinder and his relationship with his father to turn stale. Which is why his interest is peaked when he happens upon a book by the name of "The Neverending Story," a large volume whose cover is enough to intrigue even the audience into sticking with the film. As Bastian begins reading the story, he is transported into the world of Fantasia, where a mysterious force known only as The Nothing is destroying this elegant land. Many citizens of Fantasia have made their way to the Ivory Tower to seek the help of the Empress, who is fatally ill. Only one can find a cure for her illness: Atreju, a preteen warrior of the plains people who is called upon to seek out and destroy The Nothing and save the Empress from death. This begins both of their journeys: Atreju's treck across the land to find some hope of saving the increasingly deteriorating land, and Bastian's realization that he is playing a much larger role in the events of the book than he dares to think about. Atreju learns that discovering the answers to his questions means looking inside himself, while the both of them must find the courage to face their fears and save Fantasia before it is too late. For many who see the film, the connectiveness between these two worlds will seem silly to the point of absurdity. But this is not a film for such a mindset: this is a children's fantasy film, a delightful deluge of important morals and values that children are instilled with at an early age. From courage and faith, to truth and heroism, these traditional values are effectively dispersed throughout, and succeed in conveying their messages. For those who enjoy out-of-this-world landscapes and breathtaking vistas, this is a real treat. Fantasia is a place of endless beauty, cut with settings of dismal terror. The Ivory Tower stands as a pinnacle of hope against the setting sun, while such places as the Swamps of Sadness and the Southern Oracle, are treacherous and foreboding. The Nothing is the centerpiece for the film's visual delights, shown in the form of storms and endless dark clouds. Parents should not miss letting their child in on "The Neverending Story," which has a lasting impact like no other film of its kind. Wolfgang Petersen's first English-language film is a striking example of excellence, no matter how you look at it. The film itself may have an ending, but its final message and the memory it leaves is endless.
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