Shadow Reviews #12: The Never Ending Story (1984)

Instructions

My Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ What can I say? The Never Ending Story was a glorious movie, an absolutely fantastic treat. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the experience of watching it, it was almost like watching Babe for the first time. It packed a surreal, metaphorical fantasy punch that appeals to every aspect of creativity. From the first scene to the memorable closing, it is a film that truly endures in the mind – indeed, a never-ending story. First of all, I put off Rango to watch this movie. That tells you something. And I was definitely rewarded. The story of the film is one that resonates with the viewer – even to the point of breaking the fourth wall. It is a movie that knows the audience will relate, and at its core, it’s a movie about a boy overcoming grief, a story about the power of imagination. Yes, I know that sounds cheesy on paper but seriously watch the movie; you’ll find yourself in the main character’s shoes and suddenly the power of the narrative will grip you. The film is especially effective in covering its source material and creatively executing it to capture the true message of the story. I don’t think I’ll forget the central image of the climax any time soon. The cinematography of the movie was beautiful. Like Babe, every shot was a philosophical thought, a proposition to the viewer about the nature of its thematic importance. Sometimes the movie lost itself in existentialism and metafictional aspects, but this was the beauty of the film. It goes beyond a simple story: it’s a story about reading a story and how that changed a young boy, and inevitably this connects to the real audience. On the surface, it’s about saving imagination. But dig deeper and it’s about grief, trauma, self-doubt, hurt, modernization, and coping healthily. The acting was spectacular. Specifically, Atreyu’s and the shopkeeper’s role (who deserved more screentime) were amazingly painted through their dialogue and actions. I don’t know why, but those random bullies at the beginning and the end of the film just screamed 80s, 100% could have seen them in Stranger Things. But anyway, The Never Ending Story is indeed quotable. “Never give up and good luck will find you.” “If it doesn’t hurt, it won’t heal.” “I’m allergic to youth.” Just a few lines that I hoped I repeated word for word. Evidently, they seem simple, but when you mull over their importance, the words take on a new, much more metaphorical and insightful light. In many ways, this movie is like Babe, in surrealism and unique quotability. Finally, the Never Ending Story is filled to the brim with a beautiful set design. For 1984, this was beyond amazing. If the metanarrative turned you off, the beautiful landscapes will not. I was taken breathless by the aesthetics of the entire movie. There wasn’t a single scene I could truly call shoddy or ugly; everything was crafted meticulously to appease the eye. It truly transports you to another world. And the special effects – specifically the costume design – was excellent, overflowing with a plethora of fantastical creatures and beings. In other words, it’s a very pretty movie to look at. I could go on and on about the movie, but its one of those films where words don’t do it justice. You could read Wikipedia, you could read more reviews, you could read professional reviews even – and they all won’t describe the film perfectly. The only way to experience the magic is to see it for yourself. What I watched it on: Tubi Other critics: Rotten Tomatoes: 84% Metacritic: 49, "mixed or average reviews"