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The Neverending Story (1984)
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Movie Review by Jenny
November 15th, 2006
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Warning: This will definately contain spoilers. But it's OK because everyone's seen this one.
"The Neverending Story" is one of those movies for me that I can quote backwards and forwards, and did quite frequently. In college, my friend Randy and I would sit in the cafeteria and loudly re-enact the scene where Artax sinks into the Swamps of Sadness... Good times.
For those of you who have never seen the movie (and I hope it's nobody), here's what it's about:
A boy, Bastian, has lost his mother, and is made fun of at school. His passion is books, and stumbles into a bookstore while running away from the school bullies. He meets a creepy old man in the bookstore, who warns him about the book he is reading. He says the book is not 'safe'. When the old man goes to the next room to answer the phone, Bastian steals the book and leaves a note saying he'll return it. Bastian goes to school, and is now late ("Math test... Oh no.), so he escapes to an attic-like room, and begins reading the book, "The Neverending Story".
In the book, the land of Fantasia is under attack by the Nothing, a force that erases everything in it's path. Because of the intensity of the Nothing, Fantasia's ruler, the Child-like Empress, is dying. A boy, Atreyu, is enlisted to destroy the Nothing and restore the Child-like Empress, thereby restoring Fantasia. We follow Atreyu on his journey, and find out that Bastian is a part of the story. A treyu can hear him. At one point, while at the Magic Mirror Gate, Atreyu and Bastian come face to face. Finally, Atreyu finds the 'messenger' for the Nothing, the Gmork, and kills him. During the battle, the Nothing has completely taken over Fantasia. The wounded Atreyu is flying through space and the remnants of Fantasia with the luck dragon, Falcor, when he sees the Ivory Tower floating on a giant rock. It's still saved. He rushes inside and finds the Child-like Empress, deathly ill. She tells him that she needs a new name, and only a human child can save her. Bastian realizes it is him who needs to give her a new name. He rushes to the window of the attic, and shouts out the name of his deceased mother.
Darkness.
Bastian and the Child-like Empress are standing in the dark. The Child-like Empress tells Bastian that he can restore Fantasia by making wishes.
The final scene of the movie is Bastian flying over the restored Fantasia atop Falcor, where we see Atreyu has reunited with Artax, and several other creatures we've met along the journey. And then Bastian gets revenge on the bullies from the beginning of the movie.
"Bastian made many other wishes, and had many other amazing adventures - before he finally returned to the ordinary world. But that's... another story."
The movie is based on the book "The Neverending Story" by Michael Ende. Yes, I did read the book. The book actually is the first and second Neverending Story movies. The first movie ends halfway through the book, so when the second movie came out, I loved it. (It helped that Jonathan Brandis was in it.) If you're a fan of the movie, try the book, it's great. The only thing is, in the book, Bastian is a chubby boy, who is made fun of because of his weight. In the movie, Bastian is pretty cute. I had a crush on him when I was little.
I've always been able to relate to this movie. Even watching it as a kid, I felt the connection to the little boy who is teased and doesn't want to go to school; who would rather read than go to school. I always wanted to be inside the books I read. (This is not a suprise coming from me, who would dress up as a different member of the Baby-Sitter's Club every day at school. No one knew except me.)
The movie's so emotional. Even now, when the graphics are a bit cheesy, and it's a bit over-acted, I get emotional watching this movie. I tear up at the end when Bastian is flying on Falcor, and when Atreyu loses Artax. I still want to cover my eyes when the Gmork comes out of the cave to fight Atreyu.
Another thing. I always wanted to be able to cross all my fingers like Bastian does in the beginning. You know what I'm talking about?When his dad says, " I got a call from your math teacher. She says that you were drawing horses in your math book." And Bastian says, "Unicorns... They were unicorns." Right there. He crosses all his fingers. I thought that was the coolest thing.
Now I want to go home and watch this movie. Again. For the bazillionth time. It's one of those childhood classics that really sticks with you. I hope this review made you want to go home and watch it too.
"I will do what I dream!"
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