 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The NeverEnding Story
- Review Date: August 2, 2005
- PG
- Genre: Fantasy
- 1984
Common Sense Media says
Boy bibliophile becomes part of fantasy tale.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that while the overall message of this movie, which encourages children to become lovers of books, is a positive one, the scary adventures that take place in the film will scare very young children. The faceless "Nothing" sets out to destroy the land of Fantasia, and while the hero of the film has no weapons (at least until the story's end), he does engage in a bloody clash with one of the Nothing's emissaries. Other potentially upsetting incidents involve a steamrolling monster, bullies throwing a child into a dumpster, and a beloved horse being sucked into a swamp.
What's the story?
THE NEVER ENDING STORY centers on young Bastian Bux, who escapes his troubled life in a dusty old bookstore. The store owner tells him not to look at the book The NeverEnding Story, but Bastian does anyway. He becomes engrossed in the story, in which boy warrior Atreyu seeks to save the land of Fantasia from becoming destroyed by a mythical force known as the Nothing. Atreyu also is charged with finding a cure for a dying girl known as the Childlike Empress. On his adventure, he meets a bumbling elderly scientist, a flying dragon, and a swamp monster, among other characters. After a near-deadly clash with one of the Nothing's servants, a wolf-like creature who informs Atreyu that the loss of hope is the worst offense of all, the warrior fears all of Fantasia to be destroyed. In the end, a young girl that literally draws Bastian into the book, calling for a child's imagination to save the empire from destruction.
Is it any good?
Both children and adults will enjoy this film for its special effects, beautiful scenery, and colorful characters. Most of all, the message of daring to dream and soaring to new heights through books is a powerful one that kids of any age can relate to.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about whether a fantasy tale can be compelling without being scary.
Families can also discuss the value of reading books, and how they can almost transport someone into another world. In the movie, that fantasy becomes a reality -- a distinction parents may wish to point out.
They may also discuss a lesson from Bastian's father, who warns the young boy not to become overly caught up with his imagination. Are there times when kids' heads should indeed be in the clouds?
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AGE
A movie about a book, that's based on a book,about the very book that the book is based on.
In the top ten of best movies ever made. This movie glorifies reading and turns every book into an adventure you'll never forget. It shows true friendship, and that sometimes life is hard and unfair (Example: the swamp scenes.) It also shows that we have to get up and do something, and not wait on others. Outstanding movie score. "Never ending" shows the main characters with great courage,even when it is hard to do so.Lastly the movie deals with justified payback, which is rightly deserved. (Hence the ending scene.) A powerful movie not just for the young, but the young at heart. I at 32 yrs of age still like to watch this movie on a rainy day with my kids.
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AGE
AGE
I am 13 years old and i think this movie is more worth it for childeren between 8-11 years old
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AGE
perfect for young aged tweens
i loved it my faveorite movie ever but somewhat scary but not to bad
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AGE
Perfect for those 8-10 year olds
My girls and I have watched this a few times. I don't think they got into it as much back when they were 5-6, but now at 8-10 they really enjoyed it
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AGE
Think twice before seeing with a group of children:
The scene with the Sphinx shows the Sphinx's naked breasts, which caused my group of 4th & 5th graders to "hoot & holler" with delight.
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AGE
It was a great story. It held my and my son's interest. The characters were wonderful, very imaginative.
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AGE
Yikes. I couldn't sit through this. My daughter seems to be engrossed with it but the mawkish acting, the shreiks of "nooooo!" against the fantasy world's many unfair turn of events, outdated visual effects, and large clumsy puppetry had me running for the kitchen and my dishes to be washed. I guess there's a message going on over there, but there's no way I'm going to sit through it to find out what it is!
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| Topics: | magic and fantasy, adventures, book characters |
| Studio: | Warner Bros. |
| Director: | Wolfgang Petersen |
| Cast: | Barret Oliver, Gerald McRaney, Noah Hathaway |
| Genre: | Fantasy |
| Run time: | 94 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | August 3, 1984 |
| DVD release date: | February 3, 2004 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | frightening scenes |
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