Review of The NeverEnding Story (1984) by Jason F — 10 May 2011

The 80s was a decade of transformation and experimentation; sometimes nailing art on the head, other times daring to reach for something innovative yet seeming only pretentious, un - evolved and sometimes downright primitive. One of the reasons for this is because technology moved so quickly after, leaving much material of the 80's (music and film) looking and feeling stale. It was the decade of the synthesizer, where much digital electronic music found it's way into film; it was the decade of dirty rock and roll and sleazy nigh clubs, manufactured and experimental pop, Aids, video stores, B - grade horror films and the death of John Lennon.

I do not mean to criticize the era in which I was born - the 80's had some magical moments too - but much darkness surrounds my memory of the films in 1980's because of much culture it reflected. Many films in the 80's look dated and bizarre, but it was the ones that seemed to exhibit style with grace and charm without holding back, that remain engrained in our memory. "The Never Ending Story" encompasses such an 80's feel, and it works for it. As does films like "Back to the Future" and "Scarface." The film has a tone and mood which smells 80s, yet it actually gives it astonishing originality.

Wolfgang Peterson created a film sometimes drawn with overlong sentimentality but enriched with so much delight and charm, you can forgive the film for it's flaws. Much of this should be credited to a dazzling score by Doldinger and Moroder which captivates an amazing atmosphere but stays true to the typical 80's sound. This is bound to be a reason in which people are subconsciously drawn to the film, particularly audiences from that generation.

"The Never Ending Story" is not a film that I think would be as appreciated by today's audience - many viewers would look past the sentimentality and overly fantastic array of characters in which for some look carved out of a children's program by today's standards.

With films like Avatar and Lord of the Rings blowing visuals around that make people's hair stand up - "Never Ending Story" looks bleak and unfinished. There are some annoying moments which also let it down - "Sebastion" the boy, can sometimes get up your spine, the princess can be insipid in moments which makes you remember you are watching a children's movie. The wolf, although creepy, is nothing but a awkward puppet and cheapens the quality. Yet all these things are so easily accepted and forgotten, as we pludge into the fairy-tale world and escape into the energy and wonder.

As I try not to be sentimental about judging this film; it cannot be seen as a milestone in filmmaking as the likes of "Wizard of Oz" - it is no where in that league, but it is a film with heart, atmosphere which tickles are imagination in the right places and takes us away with enough escapism to feel warm and moved after viewing. And you are left screaming: "All right...hang on tight!".