Product Description

When 10-year-old Bastian opens the mysterious, ornately bound book entitled The NeverEnding Story, he never imagines he will be transported into its amazing world of Fantasia - and become the hero of its even more amazing tale. Now you can go there too in this magical film full of astonishing creatures and directed by Wolfgang Petersen (The Perfect Storm). Bastian, the Luckdragon and the genial Rock Biter return for more adventure in the spellbinding The NeverEnding Story II The Next Chapter from director George Miller (The Man from Snowy River). This time, new forces threaten the world of imagination. But they aren't the only foes Bastian faces. He must also overcome problems at home!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1242 in DVD
• Brand: Warner Brothers
• Released on: 2006-01-31
• Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 2
• Dimensions: .25 pounds
• Running time: 181 minutes

Amazon.com
Filled with a few imaginative moments and a child actor who looks like a miniaturized Sharon Stone, II isn't as neverending as the third headache in the series, but it's not on par with the original. Versions of Atreyu, the brave warrior, Rockbiter, and Falcor, that flying, pink, poodle-dragon, return to travel across the storybook world of Fantasia. This time our protagonist and reader, Bastian, is actually in the story the entire time instead of looking on from outside the pages. The interaction doesn't help, as it's the same crisis and the same story line (well, okay, he is reading the same book), but at least the film is not as unrelentingly melancholy as the first one either. Children may be frightened by the "giants," large dung beetles on two legs, that threaten our heroes. --Keith Simanton

Customer Reviews

A More Complete Picture
This DVD has THE NEVERENDING STORY on one side and the other side of the disc has THE NEVERENDING STORY II.

In THE NEVERENDING STORY, Bastian Bux (Barret Oliver) is an average student who finds himself repeatedly being abused by bullies who like to steal his money and throw him into dumpsters. Bastian's mother is dead and both he and his father are still trying to cope with the loss. However, Bastian's father is a realist and thinks that Bastian spends too much time drawing pictures, reading books, and daydreaming. He wants his son to buckle down and get serious about school and life. He means well, but his advice doesn't do much to improve Bastian's condition. Eventually Bastian ends up meeting a strange bookstore owner that leaves a book, "The Neverending Story", where Bastian is able to borrow it. Bastian sneaks away to the attic of his school, locks himself in, and begins reading. The story is a fascinating tale about a place called Fantasia, a seeming endless world filled with countless creatures of every shape and size. Fantasia is under attack by an unknown force known as the Nothing that destroys everything in its path. The Childlike Empress (Tami Stronach) selects the mighty warrior from the plains people, Atreyu (Noah Hathaway) to go on a journey and find the one person who can save Fantasia from total annihilation. Atreyu sets forth on a long, difficult journey, traveling all over Fantasia, but no one seems capable of helping him. As Atreyu journeys, Bastian secretly accompanies him and shares in all of his adventures. The book reads like none other that Bastian has ever read and it seems that he is a part of the story. As the Nothing grows stronger, Bastian has to decide if he will give into reality of what he sees around him or allow his imagination take control.

In THE NEVERENDING STORY II Bastian (Jonathan Brandis) is once again transported to Fantasia. Bastian is no longer threatened by bullies, but is instead taunted by his classmates when he joins the dive team. His father (John Wesley Shipp) misguidedly prods Bastian into overcoming his fears. Frustrated, Bastian returns to Mr. Koreander's bookstore and though he is warned that the story in "The Neverending Story" doesn't remain the same, Bastian borrows the book and ends up returning to Fantasia. Upon entering Fantasia, Bastian finds that he has the symbol of the childlike Empress, Auryn, around his neck. He is informed by the giant bird Nimbly (Martin Umbach) that anytime he makes a wish, the power in Auryn will make the wish come true. However, there is a dark secret to Auryn. To save Fantasia, Bastian must find out Auryn's secret, defeat the evil witch Xayide, and stop the Emptiness from consuming Fantasia.

Of the two movies, THE NEVERENDING STORY is a far superior film that its sequel.

The DVD doesn't offer many extras. On THE NEVERENDING STORY side of the disc, there are some notes about the book and characters and a trailer for the film. THE NEVERENDING STORY II side has a trailer, cast & crew list, and a word scramble game called "Bastian's Challenge." Also, both movies are shown in full screen and not widescreen.

The First and the Second
The original NeverEnding Story movie was a masterpiece. A complete work of art. I remember watching that movie when I was a kid, it amazed me. I watch today, and it amazes me how it still draws me into that story so easily. In my opinion, it is a pure fantasy world with no flaws, in acting, in plot, in direction, in visuals; the characters are all wonderfully original and well played.

*sigh* Now...to the sequel.

Besides the fact that every single character was recast (aside from the bookkeeper?), and besides the fact that every character has a brand new personality which contradicts how they were in the first movie. Besides the fact that Bastian had brown hair in the first movie, and now all of a sudden he has blonde hair. Apart from the fact that Bastian's dad has quite the receding hairline in the first movie, and now, in the sequel, where'd that full head of hair come from? Aside from the fact that Falcor turned stupid for something reason. Apart from the fact that Atreyu, the brave warrior in the first movie, turns into a confused sidekick that can only speak broken english now...

*sigh* aside from all of that...

The thing that gets me the most, throughout the sequel they call the Empress, "The Child-like Empress"... *sigh*

...She is not child-like; she is, in fact, just a child! "Child-Empress"!!!

The magic that was the first movie disappeared in the second. I think the thing that sets the movies apart the most, a thing that hurts the sequel quite a bit, is the fact that we have to views of the story, in the original, Bastian's point of view as he reads the book, and then Atreyu's and the others view from inside the story.

With the NeverEnding Story II, there is no outside view. It's very linear, inside the story only, except of course, near the end, when the father starts reading the book, but the adult point of view doesn't fit in very well with the story.

I just popped in The NeverEnding Story into my VCR. The visuals are stunning, the Fantasia world in the original movie is so well thought-out, and obviously so. But there's something lacking with the sequel, it seems like you're in a different, low-budget version of Fantasia.

*sigh*

So, I think I'm done with my rant.

But if you've lasted with me this long, here's my advice:

The original movie is, no doubt, a must have in anyone's movie collection. If you must see the second one, just to see how bad it is (if you haven't seen it already), borrow it from someone or rent it, but don't buy it. It's not worth the money.

Pretty Good...
OK, let's admit it. This movie isn't half bad. You should all know that the first movie (The NeverEnding Story) is a ton better, and the third movie (The NeverEnding Story III - Escape From Fantasia) STINKS!!! But on the subject of this movie, I would say I enjoy watching it from time to time, and that in and of itself makes the movie worthwhile. Do I feel it is worthy of the being in league with the NeverEnding Story saga??? In a way. It somewhat follows the book after chapter M (#13), the second half. However, this movie has some obvious faults. For one, the atmosphere of the movie is close to neither the first movie (dark, depressing, but really good) nor the book (intelligent, witty, amazing). I liked Jonathan Brandis (Bastian) but not Kenny Morrison (Atreyu). The chick who played the Childlike Empress, in my mind, was not right for the part at all. On the plus side, I thought Xayide was excelently portrayed: Very sinister and evil but clever. The status of Bastian's relationship to his father was more prevalent, and made more sweet. (Awww...)
This movie was my first NeverEnding Story "experience" and it was good enough to interest me in the first movie and on to the book.
By the way, do not waste your precious time in viewing the piece of crud known as The NeverEnding Story III - Escape From Fantasia. It stinks.
That is all. Thank you and fare well.