Rating: 
Summary: Wow, I Remember This Movie
Review: The can still remeber the first time i watched this movie, i must have been 8 or so. I fell in love with it then, and now that i am 25, i still love this movie. It's a great child story that still interests us adults. Nice movie. My kid loves this movie just like i did. Very nice DVD.
Rating: 
Summary: WAY overrated, horrible movie
Review: Cheesy script, poor acting and [bad] special effects make this movie a total [flop.] I walked out of the theater when it was released.
Rating: 
Summary: Yes, but...
Review: A fun fantasy film by a masterful director. (Watch the director's cut DVD of Das Boot for proof of the latter). Sadly, though, this film version of Michael Ende's classic novel, Die unendliche Geschichte, ignores the whole second half of the book, the half that's much more deeply rich in symbolism, allegory, and philosophical, psychological, and perhaps even spiritual depth. The simplistic ending of the film pretty much makes a joke out of the book's more moving and thought-provoking ending. Even outside the issue of depth, many of the most "fantastic" scenes occur in the second half of the book and could have made for some extraordinary on-screen moments.The film is worth a watch, but make sure you read the book (in the original German if possible) to see what Ende was really getting at.
Rating:
Summary: I can't stop watching it
Review: One of the most enjoyable fantasy movies ever created! This new DVD version has a remixed theme song and better sound effects. It also has other languages. In my opinion, Noah Hathaway is one of the most spot-on casting decisions in the history of cinema. It's depressing when older people decide to pass on this movie because it's a "kids" movie. There's something in here for everyone, and for people like me, the entire thing is unbeatable.
Rating: 
Summary: Classic
Review: If u need 2 read between the lines this is a movie 4 u. So many underlying tones. Open up and see what the movie is really saying. Then u will appreciate it.
Rating:
Summary: The best movie ever!
Review: Without a doubt, this is one of the best movies of all time for the young and the young-at-heart. It is by far one of the best movies for teaching an all-important lesson, in a powerful way -- to always believe in yourself. I saw this movie as a kid and back then, did not realize the profound message of this movie and its significance. Now, fully grown and a viewer of this DVD on a regular basis, it continues to move and inspire me on a deep level. I love Barret Oliver, yes he is very much "eye candy" and a wonderfully gifted actor. The whole movie is just awesome and I highly recommend it to our generation and to the next and future generations following. They will love it, I believe, as much as we do! Long-live "The Neverending Story" -- may it truly, "never end."
Rating:
Summary: Nostalgia for children of the 80's
Review: Let's face it. Most of us who rate this movie highly do so because it invokes all those rosy-hued memories of our childhood decade. One only has to bring it up to another Gen-Y-er, or whistle a few bars of the opening theme song, to see eyes light up with recognition amid wistful sighs for a more innocent time.
It is the characters and rich settings that pull this film off.
Leads Barret Oliver and Noah Hathaway are both on the verge of being too beautiful to be boys. They display a rare depth for young actors, Oliver's over-dramatic portrayal being unbelievable only for those who are never around play-acting children. Hathaway's subtle facial expressions are riveting, and he deserves respect if for no other reason than for nearly carrying the entire movie. The breathtaking Tami Stromach as the Childlike Empress was every young girl's dream character before the era of the Disney Princess, and she played her enigmatic role with suitable poise and mystery. Who of this generation did NOT, sometime in their childhood, convene with schoolyard cronies to "play Neverending Story" and then argue about who would "be" the Empress, Atreyu, or Bastian? Obviously these characters strike a chord with kids.
The story bears a somewhat faint resemblance to the book on which it is based, though the original author was so dissapointed with the result that he did not want his name associated with the film in any way. I have read the book, and found it to be rich in imagination, depth, and dare I say it, moral psychology, much of which contrives to be muddy and confusing to very young readers. The film simplifies it rather starkly, but in a way I think is satisfying. Classic themes of identity, of an underdog's triumph, of imagination empowering reality, are clearly emphasized. Complaints that the movie ends halfway through the book are valid, but the truth is that the book almost becomes two stories, with the second half diverging wildly from the pacing and characterization of the first, and to try and fit it all into a two-hour film would have done neither film nor book proper justice.
Special effects were groundbreaking for the time, some more successful than others. I didn't realize until several years ago that Engywook and Urgle were supposed to be tiny gnome-like creatures! I always assumed, even as a child, that they were exactly what they are - normal sized people shot in skewed perspective with Atreyu. It wasn't until noticing that they used different sized props between them and Atreyu that I realized the perspective was actually deliberately forced! Ah well...it was a long way to Lord of the Rings.
A few complaints: some sets seem cramped. The scene in which the "ambassadors" from all over Fantasia approach the Ivory Tower sets it up as an enormous landmark where masses of representatives from every one of the no-doubt vast peoples are to convene, yet when we are given an internal view of the structure, we see a claustrophobic ballroom in which a handful of creatures loiter, and in spite of their various weird and fantastic appearances, we are given no more than a brief glimpse of a few. Costumes of the leads are simple and convincing, though.
Altogether, an enjoyable movie, and one I will definitely show my own children. There are some dark moments for kids not yet jaded by too much modern special-effects violence, so use caution. And please, please, spare anyone else from the appalling sequels...part II had little merit and was vaguely eerie, and part III was not only frankly awful as a film but downright blasphemous from the literary perspective.
Rating:
Summary: The NeverEnding Story ~DVD ~ Barret Oliver
Review: One of the best fantasy movies ever! This films main message is an important one "to believe in yourself" and "the strength to overcome any obstacles". Every test that Atreyu faces in this movie deals with "believing in himself". Through Atreyus strength, our main character Bastian relizes his own strengths and courage. Non-fans of the movie easily put down the villain"the nothing", but the nothing has many possible important symbolic meanings. For some it may mean the coming of Nuclear war wiping out civilization as we know it. For me, the nothing was deforestation and the greedy killing of our Ecosystem. On the other hand, most kids wont see the symbols and just enjoy a great movie. Im just telling you that there is fun for kids and a deeper meaning for adults and we can all enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: The NeverEnding Story
Review: I would like to inform all the NeverEnding Story fans that the Aspect Ratio of this DVD print is presented at 2:35 and not 1:85 as stated in the Technical Information. This is very important to know what you are buying! As for myself I try to keep my DVD collection at a 2:35 Aspect Ratio. As for the DVD is concerned, I think that this beautiful film stands the test of time due to the fact that CGI wasn't around for special effects use back in 1984! Highly Recommended DVD! Will never give my copy up for anything!
Rating:
Summary: Favorite Forever
Review: I will always think that "The Never Ending Story" is one of the best movies ever made. I remember the first time I saw it back in the 80's and I have watched it countless times ever since.
Please don't compare it to "The Princess Bride", it's a completely different movie and MUCH MUCH better. If you haven't seen "The Never Ending Story" you're missing out!
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