Shy and awkward young boy Bastian (a fine and likeable performance b Barret Oliver) finds himself deeply engrossed in a book about brave teenage warrior Atreyu (an excellent portrayal by Noah Hathaway), who must save the Childlike Empress (Tami Stronach, who's enchanting, but never cutesy) and the glorious land of Fantasia from being destroyed by the evil Nothing.
Director/co-writer Wolfgang Petersen brings a sense of awe, wonder, and tremendous sweeping creativity to the captivating plot along with a more dark and daring sensibility that prevents the premise from becoming too silly or sappy. The world of Fantasia is beautifully well realized: The special effects hold up extremely well, with the assorted animatronic creatures registering as remarkably lifelike and convincing. Said colorful creatures include friendly luck dragon Falkor, gentle giant Rock Biter, scary wolf G'mork, and apathetic turtle Morla.
Gerald McRaney contributes a solid turn as Bastian's preoccupied father while Sydney Bromley and Patricia Hayes provide amusing comic relief as a couple of bickering gnomes. Jost Vacano's sumptuous widescreen cinematography provides a wealth of striking visuals. The ethereal synth score by Klaus Doldinger and Giorgio Moroder does the tuneful trick. Best of all, this film even makes a sweet and touching point about the importance of never losing one's capacity for hope and ability to make dreams come true with the sheer power of pure imagination. A total treat.
Director/co-writer Wolfgang Petersen brings a sense of awe, wonder, and tremendous sweeping creativity to the captivating plot along with a more dark and daring sensibility that prevents the premise from becoming too silly or sappy. The world of Fantasia is beautifully well realized: The special effects hold up extremely well, with the assorted animatronic creatures registering as remarkably lifelike and convincing. Said colorful creatures include friendly luck dragon Falkor, gentle giant Rock Biter, scary wolf G'mork, and apathetic turtle Morla.
Gerald McRaney contributes a solid turn as Bastian's preoccupied father while Sydney Bromley and Patricia Hayes provide amusing comic relief as a couple of bickering gnomes. Jost Vacano's sumptuous widescreen cinematography provides a wealth of striking visuals. The ethereal synth score by Klaus Doldinger and Giorgio Moroder does the tuneful trick. Best of all, this film even makes a sweet and touching point about the importance of never losing one's capacity for hope and ability to make dreams come true with the sheer power of pure imagination. A total treat.