In 1994, Wolfgang Petersen directed the film adaptation of the German novel "Die Unendliche Geschichte", which was written by Michael Ende (1929-1995). The film/novel is better known in the U.S. with its English title of "The Neverending Story". It was also the first film that Wolfgang Petersen filmed in English. The story begins with a troubled boy named Bastian (Barret Oliver), who is being raised by his father (Gerald McRaney). An avid reader with an active imagination, Bastian walks into a used bookstore owned by Mr. Koreander (Thomas Hill) and finds a mysterious book that captures his curiosity. Mr. Koreander seemingly doesn't want to sell the book to him, but Bastian manages to run from the store with book in hand. Bastian takes the book to school with him, where he is tormented by three bullies (Drum Garrett, Darryl Cooksey & Nicholas Gilbert). To avoid the bullies, Bastian finds refuge in a rarely-used attic within the school and begins to read from the book about a magical land called Fantasia. Fantasia is a wonderful place with many unusual characters and is ruled by the Childlike Princess (Tami Stronach), but something terrible is happening to Fantasia as parts of it are disappearing by an unknown force referred to only as "the nothing". The Childlike Princess calls upon the strongest warrior to find a human child to stop "the nothing". The warrior, a boy named Atreyu (Noah Hathaway) of a tribe similar to Native Americans, takes the protective signet that the Childlike Princess gives to him and sets off to find a human child, which can only be found beyond the bounds of Fantasia. To his astonishment, as Bastian reads the book and the many adventures, challenges and dangers and Atreyu faces, Bastian slowly begins to realize whom Atreyu and the Childlike Princess are actually seeking.
With imaginative characters, good cinematography & special effects and an endearing & well-written story, "The Neverending Story" is a wonderful and engaging film that not only captures Bastian's imagination in the story, but the audience's imagination as well. Other memorable characters in the film include Teeny Weeny (Deep Roy), Night Hob (Tilo Prückner), Cairon (Moses Gunn), Engywook (Sydney Bromley), Urgl (Patricia Hayes), Falkor (voice of Alan Oppenheimer), Rock Biter, the Racing Snail and the Bat. Overall, I rate "The Neverending Story" with 5 out of 5 stars and very highly recommend it to both young & old alike. It's a wonderful film that can be watched time and again without becoming tiresome. Sadly, the film's two sequels (produced in 1990 & 1994) were far less memorable. Other films directed by Wolfgang Petersen include "Das Boot" (1981), "Enemy Mine" (1985), "The Perfect Storm" (2000) and "Troy" (2004).
Showing posts with label old movies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label old movies. Show all posts
The NeverEnding Story Review
Young Frankenstein
This may just be the funniest movie of all time. Mel Brooks never before (and never again) worked with the tight parameters he did here: gene Wilder actually wrote most of the script, and that plus the use of the old Universal sets and props seem to have kept Borooks's more sophomoric instincts (which have gone overboard in some of his later films) tightly in check. Thus he--and everyone else in the film--is doing their absolutely finest work ever.
From Teri Garr "rolling in ze hay," to Kenneth Mars's inspired Police Inspector, everyone in the entire film seems to be working at their most hysterically hilarious. Special mention must be given to Gene Wilder giving one of his most classic performances of his strangled-fury schtick ever ("Put... the candle... back!!!") and to Peter Boyle, for his very poignant and funny depiction of the Monster.
But standing above all of the end in terms of sheer brilliance is Madeline Kahn, giving what must be the funniest female performace ever on film as Frankenstein's fiancee and the monster's eventual bride. Unlike everyone else in the film, she's not really parodying anyone other than herself; yet nevertheless her depiction of Elizabeth, the wealthy prude who discovers she's a volcano of passion undeneath, is so funny I'm practically crying almost every time I see this film. There's one brief little scene where she's brushing her hair in her boudoir before the Monster steals into her room and kidnaps her, and for absolutely no apparent reason(which makes the scene all the funnier) she's giving vent to a deeply lusty rendition of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" while brushing out her hair. It is the funniest five seconds in the entire film--and in a film this hilarious that's saying a lot.
The NeverEnding Story
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.
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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