The NeverEnding Story III - Escape From Fantasia poster & wallpaper
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Jason James Richter, Melody Kay, Freddie Jones, Jack Black, Ryan Bollman ... see more see more... , Carole Finn , Tracey Ellis , Kevin McNulty , Julie Cox , Moya Brady , Tony Robinson , Nicole N. Parker , P. Adrien Dorval , John Bear Curtis , William Hootkins , David Longworth , Richard Newman , Kaefan Shaw , Frederick Warder , Mark Acheson , Veena Sood , Irene Lamb , Lynne Carrow , Mike Fenton , Marilyn Norry

Young Bastian again seeks refuge from the problems of the real world in the mystical land of Fantasia in this second, inferior sequel to the sleeper 1984 hit The Neverending Story. The set-up is famil... read more read more...iar, as Bastian Bux (here played by Jason James Richter), who has moved to a new town, again rediscovers the magical book that serves as the portal to Fantasia and finds solace in the power of imagination. Unfortunately, Bastian is having problems with a group of bullies known as the Nasties, who discover the boy's secret and steal the book. Their meddling wreaks havoc, ultimately releasing Fantasia's bizarre creatures into Earth's dimension. Naturally, it's up to Bastian to retrieve the book and return the Luck Dragon, Rock Eater, talking tree, gnomes, and other assorted creatures to their rightful home. Visually less impressive than its predecessors, and extremely distant from the Michael Ende book that was the series' original inspiration, The Neverending Story 3 made little impression on audiences or critics, who generally agreed that the film was the weakest of the series. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi

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40% liked it

16,628 ratings

G, 1 hr. 35 min.

Directed by: Peter MacDonald

Release Date: February 2, 1996

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DVD Release Date: June 4, 2002

Stats: 603 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (603)

  • ajv2688
    June 2, 2011
    ajv2688
    This is ironically the last of the neverending story movies. It has some of the same creatures as the others, but the major actors and characters are extremely different and changed from the original. I wouldn't recommend this movie.
  • puffchunk
    November 1, 2007
    puffchunk
    So bad. Technically this is the second half of the book, but they really took a budget cut (and cast and crew cut) on this one.
  • YosemiteSamFan
    June 10, 2007
    YosemiteSamFan
    This movie was like a terrible Saturday morning Network TV exploitation of the "NeverEnding Story" name. Horrible movie. The point of the "NeverEnding Story" series was to immerse us in fantasy, but the bozos who produced this movie thought they'd bring the Fantasia creatures to ... read moreour world instead, making it far less interesting.
  • crazydannielle16
    September 7, 2006
    crazydannielle16
    If it had the same actors, it would be better, but these actors do a good job.
  • gavinthelordofthefut1
    August 25, 2011
    gavinthelordofthefut1
    The first Neverending Story was compelling, the second Neverending Story suffered from a derivative plot, but at least it had decent acting, and then we got yet another sequel known as The Neverending Story III.

    This movie continues the adventures of Bastian Bux. Now a teenage... read morer, he goes to high school only to meet a bunch of bullies known as the Nasties. He hides in the school library and opens the Neverending Story to transport himself back to Fantasia, unaware that the Nasties has found the book and now have control over his story. With a lot of help from his friends from the first two movies, Bastian must find a way to stop the Nasties from causing havoc and chaos in their own worlds.

    What's my opinion for this movie? Well, unlike the first two movies, this one doesn't even hold the candle to the first. Aside from the plot holes, clichés and weak storytelling, I think that the characters were very likable. Jason James Richter (Free Willy) was very decent as Bastian just like Jonathan Brandis from the second movie. Melody Kay did OK as Bastian's stepsister. Jack Black (School of Rock, Shark Tale, and Kung Fu Panda) as the leader of the Nasties, on the other hand, was I think considered to be one of the best performances in this movie. Don't get me wrong. It's still written terribly, but I think he had a lot of fun with this role. The music score by Peter Folk was the best moment in this movie along with the pop songs in the ending credits.

    Long story short, it wasn't good nor bad either. It was just very mediocre for a friendly family sequel to a great movie, but at least it had character development.

    5/10
  • Lyndaofwirral
    July 17, 2011
    Lyndaofwirral
    The original was pretty good but by the time they got to this one they weren't just scraping the bottom of the barrel they had scraped right through it into the dirt underneath and were heading straight for New Zealand. The main problem is that the vast bulk of the film is set in... read more present day USA with a gang of high school bullies headed by snarling pantomime baddie, Jack Black, chasing Bastian and the cast of H.R. Puffnstuf around a shiny new shopping mall. So- if it's that bad why did I give it even 10% ? Well - the boy who plays Bastain is alright and Melody Kay puts in a good turn as his "evil" step-sister. Also, watch out for Julie Cox (Dune Mini-Series) as the Empress - on second thoughts - don't do that, just don't watch it.
  • jp992751
    April 30, 2009
    jp992751
    It is only to be watched for a young Jack Black. If you don't like Jack Black but love The neverending story series avoid , you will be let down.
  • starlimitz2
    September 20, 2008
    starlimitz2
    Filled with absolute plot-crap and cliche comic attempts, this movie had destroyed the Neverending Story franchise, much like "Highlander: The Source" did to its own. Once again, it's Bastian, but for some reason he has gotten dumber with age, instead of smarter. For some reason ... read morenone of the creatures in Fantasia look like themselves, and ALL of them have found the wondrous world of Television, suburban life, and Las Vegas, you know, while living in another dimension. Every scene is filled with horrid plotholes and there is no acting what-so-ever. Do not count this as the original franchise.
  • joshuarainwater
    May 17, 2008
    joshuarainwater
    As terrible as it was... I am still in love with these movies. My rating clearly does not reflect the quality of the movie.
  • kgonz84
    July 4, 2007
    kgonz84
    I am a huge neverending story fan. I grea up watching the first two movies. I have, even as a child, never been a true fan of this one. It is decent. The original was fantastic! The second of the trilogy was decent. Same story line, but with the entire movie in Fantasia. T... read morehis one...well....it probably shouldn't have been made. If you are a fan of the first two though this one is worth viewing.

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Critic Reviews

Steve Crum
March 2, 2008
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com

Nothing touches the original, but this sequel is still good children's viewing.

Eric Lurio
December 21, 2004
Eric Lurio, Greenwich Village Gazette

Okay, I agree since the first one had only half the book a sequel was acceptable, but this wasn't.

Derek Elley
March 26, 2009
Derek Elley, Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Emanuel Levy
August 14, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

January 26, 2006
Time Out

Click to read the article Full Review

May 24, 2003
Film4

Click to read the article Full Review

Liz Braun
January 1, 2000
Liz Braun, Jam! Movies

No review available.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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