Review of The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter (1990) by Kai82 — 15 Nov 2021

A weak sequel that is pale in comparison to the book and first movie. This is even more astonishing as they just had to adapt the second half of the book which was not used in the first movie. The unused half had a unique tale of what true friendship is, how power corrupts even a noble soul and one of the biggest battle in all fantasy.

As reference for the last: All battles from the Lord of the Rings together would be a small brawl against it and it was not even a point to get a big battle in the book. Lets start at the beginning: “The Neverending Story” is the most famous book of German author Michael Ende.

It is a firework of creativity and one of the best books I read. Another strength is that it is as much for children as for adults. He protested against the movie adaptation which is a good movie by the way because they used only half of it and changed the meaning with this (He had a valid point).

Back to the movie: It would be a bit unfair to say they completely ignored the book for the sequel. They use some aspects but fail to reach the quality of the source material and first movie. I give some more details with a spoiler warning at the end where you clearly see what is missing.

The story follows again Bastian Balthazar Bux who saved the realm of Fantastica and returned to Earth. Now he is again a normal boy and is bullied and a bit neglected after his mothers death. However Fantastica needs him as a force called the emptiness is spreading through the lands and needs to be stopped.

This is the set up and sounds really good. Sadly it reaches not higher levels. I fully admit that it is not garbage except if you know the source or compare it with the first movie. It has its moment and is enjoyable but a bit pale.

The cast is really good and it pains me that they did not get a better script and movie out of this. Jonathan Brandis as Bastian is really good and Kenny Morrison also delivers. I cant blame them. This is also valid for Clarissa Burt as Xayide who they improved a lot.

She is basically in the books a bit more than what they call villain of the weak in some shows. For the rest I praise Thomas Hill as Mr. Coreander, John Wesley Shipp as Bastians father and Martin Umbach as Nimbly.

A good cast in a weaker movie and I repeat that I blame non of them. All other things like sets, costumes and soundtrack are fine. Sadly they have nothing like Limahls hit Neverending Story in the soundtrack.

Overall this is watchable but not great if you do not know the source and first movie. If you know both or one it is a much less pleasant experience. I would not recommend it.“Spoilers warning” for the book as I give a small summary (There is far more in the book): Bastian restores Fantastica with the magic amulet Auryn which grants all he wishes but becomes slowly corrupted by (t)his power.

He tries to become Emperor of Fantastica. He and Atreyu who became friends are now dire enemies and gather everyone they can muster to a large battle where they both start a fight to the death. The large battle has rock eaters, dragons, centaurs and all fantasy races and creatures in it you can imagine.

It is grim slaughter as both sides wont give up as they see themselves as the good guys and cant let evil win. Bastian manages to critically injure Atreyu but recognize afterwards what damages and bloodshed he has caused.

As side effect the Auryn has drained his memories for each wish he made and he has not enough left to undo the damage. In one of the best moments I read in books a restored Ateyu comes to him and helps him as a true friend.

He will try to undo the damage that Bastian has caused in Fantastica and managed to safe him so he can return to Earth. I had tears in my eyes at the ending. As I said there are far more stories in the book and this is only the main story.