What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that while the overall message of THE NEVERENDING STORY, which encourages children to become lovers of books, is a positive one, the scary adventures that take place in the film will scare very young children. The faceless "Nothing" sets out to destroy the land of Fantasia, and while the hero of the film has no weapons (at least until the story's end), he does engage in a bloody clash with one of the Nothing's emissaries. Other potentially upsetting incidents involve a steamrolling monster, bullies throwing a child into a dumpster, and a beloved horse being sucked into a swamp.

If your kids do watch the film, which was adapted from a novel of the same name, ask them if a fantasy tale can be compelling without being scary. Parents could also discuss the value of reading books, and how they can almost transport someone into another world. In the movie, that fantasy becomes a reality -- a distinction parents may wish to point out. They may also discuss a lesson from Bastian's father, who warns the young boy not to become overly caught up with his imagination. Are there times when kids' heads should indeed be in the clouds?

Common Sense Media Review
Young Bastian Bux has many troubles. Having lost his mother at a young age, he deals with a father who urges him not to dwell in the past, as well as neighborhood bullies who impede him from getting to school. After being chased by three particularly cruel children, Bastian seeks refuge in a dusty old bookstore, whose owner admonishes him not to open one book in particular. That novel turns out to be The NeverEnding Story, which Bastian runs off to school with.

In the attic of his school, Bastian soon becomes engrossed with the novel, and eventually becomes part of the story, in which boy warrior Atreyu seeks to save the land of Fantasia from becoming destroyed by a mythical force known as the Nothing. Atreyu also is charged with finding a cure for a dying girl known as the Childlike Empress. Along his adventure, he meets up with a bumbling elderly scientist, a flying dragon, and a swamp monster, among other characters. After a near-deadly clash with one of the Nothing's servants, a wolf-like creature who informs Atreyu that the loss of hope is the worst offense of all, the warrior fears all of Fantasia to be destroyed. In the end, it's a young girl that literally draws Bastian into the book, calling for a child's imagination to save the empire from destruction.

Both children and adults will enjoy this film for its special effects, beautiful scenery, and colorful characters. Most of all, the message of daring to dream and soaring to new heights through books is a powerful one that kids of any age can relate to.

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