**POSSIBLE SPOILERS FOLLOW***
The Neverending Story II is a good second installment of the series. As someone who has never read the books, I don't have the fixation of some of the other posters here ("They changed the book! WAAHHH!!"). To me, it's not about whether it was like the book or not. Another example of this phenomenon is Starship Troopers. Great movie, but I haven't read (and don't care to read) Heinlein's book. I'm judging the movie on its own merits.
Neverending Story II is another beautiful glimpse of Fantasia. Though new actors play Bastian Bux and Atreyu, they are quite good for the most part. Clarissa Burt (looking a lot like Christine Baranski) does a super job as the witch Xayide, alternately vamping and chewing scenery. Falkor and Rockbiter return, and some new creatures, like the Giants and the birdlike Nimbly, appear.
The plot is - for the most part - tight, the effects are improved over part one, and the atmosphere and music both equal the original.
The ending is superb. I really enjoy how we are left with many questions, especially regarding Xayide (who nearly steals the picture). Where did she come from? What did she have against the Childlike Empress? Where does Xayide take herself after Bastian uses Auryn to give her emotions?
Perhaps some of these questions will be answered on the new TV series.
All in all, I give Neverending Story II an 8/10.
The Neverending Story II is a good second installment of the series. As someone who has never read the books, I don't have the fixation of some of the other posters here ("They changed the book! WAAHHH!!"). To me, it's not about whether it was like the book or not. Another example of this phenomenon is Starship Troopers. Great movie, but I haven't read (and don't care to read) Heinlein's book. I'm judging the movie on its own merits.
Neverending Story II is another beautiful glimpse of Fantasia. Though new actors play Bastian Bux and Atreyu, they are quite good for the most part. Clarissa Burt (looking a lot like Christine Baranski) does a super job as the witch Xayide, alternately vamping and chewing scenery. Falkor and Rockbiter return, and some new creatures, like the Giants and the birdlike Nimbly, appear.
The plot is - for the most part - tight, the effects are improved over part one, and the atmosphere and music both equal the original.
The ending is superb. I really enjoy how we are left with many questions, especially regarding Xayide (who nearly steals the picture). Where did she come from? What did she have against the Childlike Empress? Where does Xayide take herself after Bastian uses Auryn to give her emotions?
Perhaps some of these questions will be answered on the new TV series.
All in all, I give Neverending Story II an 8/10.