The NeverEnding Story III
Encyclopedia
The NeverEnding Story III: Return to Fantasia (also known as: The NeverEnding Story III: Escape from Fantasia) is a 1994 film and the second sequel
to the fantasy
film The NeverEnding Story
(following the first sequel The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter
). It starred Jason James Richter
as the principal character, Bastian Bux, and Jack Black
in one of his early roles as the protagonist's tormentor, the school bully.
Bastian Balthazar Bux has begun a new chapter in his life. His father has re-married, and now Bastian has a new step mother, a woman named Jane, whose daughter Nicole is displeased at having a new family
. Bastian has also started high school
, where he has become victim to the Nasties, a quintet of bullies led by Slip (Jack Black
). He manages to get them expelled by the janitor after they trap him in the boiler room. He flees to the library where he is surprised to find Mr. Koreander and The Neverending Story. The Nasties locate him, but he uses the book to escape to Fantasia.
Bastian arrives in Fantasia, where he is reunited with old friends Falkor and the gnomes Engywook and Urgl. However, the Nasties find the Neverending Story and use their cruelty to bombard the land with fireballs and a storm. Meeting a walking tree troll named Bark Troll, Bastian and the group of his friends head for the Wandering Mountains to speak with the Childlike Empress. She asks Bastian to find the Neverending Story with the Auryn. Falkor, Barky, the gnomes and the Rock Biter's son, Junior, help him; a "wish overload" causes the group to scatter across Earth
. Barky ends up in a conifer forest somewhere; Falkor saves Junior from falling to his death
near Mount Rushmore
; and the gnomes end up in Nome, Alaska
. Bastian locates Falkor and Junior. Falkor flies off to find the others while Junior stays at Bastian's house. Rock Biter sadly informs his wife that Junior is gone and the effects of the Nasties cause them to fall out.
Nicole takes the Auryn from Bastian's room, discovers its wishing abilities, and takes it for a shopping trip to the local mall. Bark Troll arrives at Bastian's house disguised as a garden plant, while the Gnomes are mailed in a box. The reunited group go to the mall to find Nicole so they can get the Auryn back. The Nasties find it first, whereupon giant crustacean creatures appear in Fantasia to kill the Empress and her advisors. Everyone in the mall begins to turn to evil, including Mr. Koreander and Bastian's parents. Nicole runs away and reveals to Bastian outside that her father was abusive and eventually divorced Jane. Bastian is struck by lightning, and begins to succumb to the cruel effects of the Nasties, but Nicole saves him. The two rush back to the mall where all the Fantasians are being held captive by the Nasties. Bastian manages to retrieve both the Auryn and the book and defeats the Nasties with a range of fighting moves he wished for.
The Fantasians are sent back to Fantasia, which is restored to its former magnificence. Bastian and Nicole manage to keep their parents from divorcing, while Junior is reunited with his parents. Nicole and Bastian return to school the next day and find Bastian turned the Nasties into friendly school students. Bastian returns the Neverending Story to Mr. Koreander, who tells him that the story is not over yet.
stated : "The Neverending Story lives up to its title in the worst way possible with this third outing, a charmless, desperate reworking of the franchise that might just as well be subtitled Bastian Goes to High School.".
The film was mocked on an episode of the Web comedy series The Nostalgia Critic
. After watching the film, the title character is so disgusted by it that he destroys the DVD with a crowbar in a fit of rage.
Sequel
A sequel is a narrative, documental, or other work of literature, film, theatre, or music that continues the story of or expands upon issues presented in some previous work...
to the fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
film The NeverEnding Story
The NeverEnding Story (film)
The NeverEnding Story is a 1984 German-American epic fantasy film based on the novel of the same name written by Michael Ende. The film was directed and co-written by Wolfgang Petersen and starred Barret Oliver, Noah Hathaway and Tami Stronach. At the time of its release, it was the most...
(following the first sequel The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter
The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter
The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter is a 1990 fantasy film and sequel to The NeverEnding Story. It was directed by George T. Miller and starred Jonathan Brandis as Bastian Bux, Kenny Morrison as Atreyu, and Alexandra Johnes as the Childlike Empress. The only actor to return from the first...
). It starred Jason James Richter
Jason James Richter
Jason James Richter is an American actor.At the age of three, he and his family moved to Hawaii, where a Japanese casting agency discovered him and signed him up for three TV spots...
as the principal character, Bastian Bux, and Jack Black
Jack Black (actor)
Thomas Jacob "Jack" Black is an American comedian, actor and musician. He makes up one half of the comedy and satirical rock duo Tenacious D. The group has two albums as well as a television series and a film. His acting career is extensive, starring primarily as bumbling, cocky, but internally...
in one of his early roles as the protagonist's tormentor, the school bully.
Plot
The mountain of destiny looms before us as we overhear the Old Man of Wandering Mountain reading from a large book. Using a writing stylus he begins to record a prophecy of a day when 'The Nasty' will arrive in Fantasia. He goes on to describe the savior of "Extraordinary Courage".Bastian Balthazar Bux has begun a new chapter in his life. His father has re-married, and now Bastian has a new step mother, a woman named Jane, whose daughter Nicole is displeased at having a new family
Family
In human context, a family is a group of people affiliated by consanguinity, affinity, or co-residence. In most societies it is the principal institution for the socialization of children...
. Bastian has also started high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
, where he has become victim to the Nasties, a quintet of bullies led by Slip (Jack Black
Jack Black
Jack Black , is an American actor and musician, notably of Tenacious D.Jack Black may also refer to:* Jack Black , late 19th - early 20th Century author and hobo* Jack Black , drummer for 1970s UK punk band The Boys...
). He manages to get them expelled by the janitor after they trap him in the boiler room. He flees to the library where he is surprised to find Mr. Koreander and The Neverending Story. The Nasties locate him, but he uses the book to escape to Fantasia.
Bastian arrives in Fantasia, where he is reunited with old friends Falkor and the gnomes Engywook and Urgl. However, the Nasties find the Neverending Story and use their cruelty to bombard the land with fireballs and a storm. Meeting a walking tree troll named Bark Troll, Bastian and the group of his friends head for the Wandering Mountains to speak with the Childlike Empress. She asks Bastian to find the Neverending Story with the Auryn. Falkor, Barky, the gnomes and the Rock Biter's son, Junior, help him; a "wish overload" causes the group to scatter across Earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
. Barky ends up in a conifer forest somewhere; Falkor saves Junior from falling to his death
Death
Death is the permanent termination of the biological functions that sustain a living organism. Phenomena which commonly bring about death include old age, predation, malnutrition, disease, and accidents or trauma resulting in terminal injury....
near Mount Rushmore
Mount Rushmore
Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a sculpture carved into the granite face of Mount Rushmore near Keystone, South Dakota, in the United States...
; and the gnomes end up in Nome, Alaska
Nome, Alaska
Nome is a city in the Nome Census Area in the Unorganized Borough of the U.S. state of Alaska, located on the southern Seward Peninsula coast on Norton Sound of the Bering Sea. According to the 2010 Census, the city population was 3,598. Nome was incorporated on April 9, 1901, and was once the...
. Bastian locates Falkor and Junior. Falkor flies off to find the others while Junior stays at Bastian's house. Rock Biter sadly informs his wife that Junior is gone and the effects of the Nasties cause them to fall out.
Nicole takes the Auryn from Bastian's room, discovers its wishing abilities, and takes it for a shopping trip to the local mall. Bark Troll arrives at Bastian's house disguised as a garden plant, while the Gnomes are mailed in a box. The reunited group go to the mall to find Nicole so they can get the Auryn back. The Nasties find it first, whereupon giant crustacean creatures appear in Fantasia to kill the Empress and her advisors. Everyone in the mall begins to turn to evil, including Mr. Koreander and Bastian's parents. Nicole runs away and reveals to Bastian outside that her father was abusive and eventually divorced Jane. Bastian is struck by lightning, and begins to succumb to the cruel effects of the Nasties, but Nicole saves him. The two rush back to the mall where all the Fantasians are being held captive by the Nasties. Bastian manages to retrieve both the Auryn and the book and defeats the Nasties with a range of fighting moves he wished for.
The Fantasians are sent back to Fantasia, which is restored to its former magnificence. Bastian and Nicole manage to keep their parents from divorcing, while Junior is reunited with his parents. Nicole and Bastian return to school the next day and find Bastian turned the Nasties into friendly school students. Bastian returns the Neverending Story to Mr. Koreander, who tells him that the story is not over yet.
Cast
- Jason James RichterJason James RichterJason James Richter is an American actor.At the age of three, he and his family moved to Hawaii, where a Japanese casting agency discovered him and signed him up for three TV spots...
- Bastian Bux, the main protagonist. - Melody KayMelody KayMelody Kay is an American actress. She starred in several movies including Camp Nowhere and The NeverEnding Story III. Melody was born in Michigan and did local theater. She was in Life commercials and acted on and off Broadway. Melody is married with 2 children and has one sister.-External links:...
- Nicole - Jack BlackJack BlackJack Black , is an American actor and musician, notably of Tenacious D.Jack Black may also refer to:* Jack Black , late 19th - early 20th Century author and hobo* Jack Black , drummer for 1970s UK punk band The Boys...
- Slip, the leader of the Nasties, and the main antagonist. - Freddie JonesFreddie JonesFrederick Charles "Freddie" Jones is an English character actor.Jones was born in the town of Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, the son of Ida Elizabeth and Charles Edward Jones. He became an actor after ten years of working as a laboratory assistant with a firm making ceramic products,...
- Coreander - Julie CoxJulie CoxJulie Cox is an English-Scottish actress perhaps best known for her role as Princess Irulan in the Sci Fi Channel's 2000 Dune miniseries and its 2003 follow-up, Children of Dune....
- The Childlike Empress - Moya BradyMoya BradyMoya Brady is a British actress. Born in Manchester, Brady grew up in the seaside town of Blackpool with other actor classmates such as David Thewlis of Harry Potter fame. She has appeared in a wide variety of roles in film, television and the theatre, including a role as F.D.O. Roberta Cryer in...
- Urgl - Tony RobinsonTony RobinsonTony Robinson is an English actor, comedian, author, broadcaster and political campaigner. He is best known for playing Baldrick in the BBC television series Blackadder, and for hosting Channel 4 programmes such as Time Team and The Worst Jobs in History. Robinson is a member of the Labour Party...
- Engywook - Tracey Ellis - Jane Bux
- Kevin McNultyKevin McNultyKevin McNulty is a Canadian actor.McNulty was born in Penticton, British Columbia, Canada. He has acted on three aviation movies: Falling from the Sky: Flight 174 with William Devane, Final Descent with Robert Urich and Snakes on a Plane with Samuel L. Jackson...
- Barney Bux - Frederick Warder (voice: Gary MartinGary MartinGary Martin may refer to:* Gary Martin * Gary Martin * Gary Martin -See also:*Gary Martindale*Gary Martini*Martin Gary...
) - Rock Chewer - William Todd-JonesWilliam Todd-JonesWilliam Todd-Jones is a British puppet designer, performer, director, movement consultant and writer, for film, television and theatre in the UK and abroad....
(voice: Mac McDonaldMac McDonaldMac McDonald is an American actor. He is best known for playing Captain Hollister on the BBC TV series Red Dwarf and frequently plays American characters in other British TV shows...
) - Mrs. Rock Chewer - Dave Forman (voice: Gary Martin) - Rock Chewer Jr.
- Gorden Robertson - Falkor
- Kaefan Shaw - Bark Troll
Reception and popular culture
The film received overwhelmingly negative reviews. Movie-vault.com gave the film 1 out of 10, stating: "This movie has removed any kind of magic the original movie had", concluding "There is not a single redeeming value about this movie. If you see a copy of this movie, BURN IT!" VarietyVariety (magazine)
Variety is an American weekly entertainment-trade magazine founded in New York City, New York, in 1905 by Sime Silverman. With the rise of the importance of the motion-picture industry, Daily Variety, a daily edition based in Los Angeles, California, was founded by Silverman in 1933. In 1998, the...
stated : "The Neverending Story lives up to its title in the worst way possible with this third outing, a charmless, desperate reworking of the franchise that might just as well be subtitled Bastian Goes to High School.".
The film was mocked on an episode of the Web comedy series The Nostalgia Critic
The Nostalgia Critic
The Nostalgia Critic is a web television series starring Doug Walker as the eponymous reviewer. The series was initially launched on YouTube before moving to an independent site, That Guy with the Glasses, run by production company Channel Awesome...
. After watching the film, the title character is so disgusted by it that he destroys the DVD with a crowbar in a fit of rage.