The NeverEnding Story (1984)

Director: Wolfgang Peterson
Stars: Noah Hathaway, Barret Oliver, Tami Stronach
Runtime: 102 minutes

Synopsis: A troubled boy dives into a wondrous fantasy world through the pages of a mysterious book.

Performances: 3/5
Screenplay: 3/5
Special Effects: 4/5
Costumes/Makeup: 5/5
Editing: 3/5
Cinematography: 3/5
Score/Soundtrack: 4/5
Entertainment Factor: 3/5

Verdict: If like me you're a fan of the Netflix hit TV show "Stranger Things", you've probably had the NeverEnding song stuck in your head for the past days. Having never seen the film that featured that catchy tune, I thought that the opportunity was perfect to experience it for the first time. And I was wrong. The perfect time to discover it would've been about 10 to 15 years ago when I was still a child obsessed with the Harry Potter books.

Nevertheless, even the 24-year-old me was able to appreciate what was the most expensive movie to be made in Germany at the time of its release some 35 years ago. The way it approaches the themes of imagination and the importance of telling stories is one that made me smile for its entire runtime despite the few filmmaking aspects that haven't aged as well as some others. The practical effects, makeup, and costume design, although not perfect when mouth movement is involved, are some of the best I've seen in a long while and come off as more charming than most of the shallow CGI work we're getting nowadays.

"The NeverEnding Story" does have its share of 1980s cheesiness and poorly handled exposition as well as some dull moments, but in the end manages to transport the viewer to the land of Fantasia for almost a couple of hours. Despite its flaws, you can't help but feel sad when the credits start rolling and you're brought back to the real world. It's a movie that can be enjoyed by anyone looking to escape to a different world for about 90 minutes, and in my opinion a must for children gifted with a vivid imagination.

FINAL GRADE: 6/10