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Review
Archives
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Today's
Date is:
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The
NeverEnding Story
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Reviewed
by: |
David
Litton |
| Genre: |
Sci-fi |
| Video: |
Format:
2.35:1 widescreen |
| Audio: |
Dolby Surround
2.0 |
| Language: |
English,
French |
| Subtitle: |
English,
French, Spanish |
| Length: |
1 hr, 32
min |
| Rating: |
PG |
| Release
Date: |
9/4/01 |
| Studio: |
Warner
Bros. |
| Commentary:
|
None |
| Documentaries:
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None |
| Featurettes:
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None |
| Filmography/Biography:
|
None |
|
Interviews: |
None |
| Trailers/TV
Spots: |
Yes |
| Alternate/Deleted
Scenes: |
None |
| Music
Video: |
None |
| Other:
|
Notes on
the book and its characters |
| Cast
and Crew: |
Noah Hathaway,
Barret Oliver, Moses Gunn, Patricia Hayes, Alan Oppenheimer
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| Screenplay
by: |
Written by:
Wolfgang Petersen, Herman Weigel |
| Produced
by: |
Bernd Eichinger, Dieter
Geissler |
| Directed
By: |
Wolfgang
Petersen |
| Music: |
Klaus Doldinger,
Giorgio Moroder |
| The
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 enthusiastic
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 trek 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. -- |
| Image
and Sound |
The
DVD mastering of "The Neverending Story" has its fair share
of ups and downs, all of which outweigh one another and make
this release a standard one. The image quality possesses a clarity
that is quite refreshing after so many viewings on VHS tapes,
though the color quality is a bit disappointing. Flesh tones
range from accurate to pale, while the vibrance of colors comes
and goes with different scenes. The sound is the original Dolby
2.0 surround mix, which is a nice recording but could be better.
The musical score wraps nicely into the surrounds, perhaps a
bit too much in some scenes, drowning out dialogue. Scenes involving
the consumption of Fantasia by The Nothing are shrill to the
ears, while the overall film has a reserved deep bass that never
reaches its full potential. All-in-all, the reason to see this
DVD is for the never-before-released widescreen format that
allows the viewer the chance to take in the breathtaking visuals
and scope of the film. |
| The
Extras |
Judging
from the lack of special features, I'd say The Nothing made
its way to Warner Bros. studios and wiped 'em clean. The notes
and trivia on the film contain enough facts for you to count
on your fingers and toes, and if you've already watched the
film, you know it all. The theatrical trailer is always a plus,
but as far as DVDs go, this one scrapes the bottom of the barrel
and loses. -- |
| Commentary |
None |
| Final
Words: |
For such a good film, it's a shame
that there couldn't be more supplemental material to accompany
it. Interviews with the cast and crew would be an added plus,
but what we are left with is a slap in the face. A classic
case of a well-made film getting the ultimate shutdown.
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