The NeverEnding Story is rated PG by the MPAA . Plus a steamrolling monster, bullies throw a child into a dumpster, and a beloved horse is sucked into a swamp. Find more movies that help kids build character. Because they The neverending story is a fantastic movie! Thank you for your support. THE NEVERENDING STORY.

Both children and adults will enjoy this film for its special effects, beautiful scenery, and colorful characters. And that illusion, in turn, helps reinforce the more conventional effects like animation, back projection, and so on.

Your privacy is important to us. Most of all, The NeverEnding Story's message of daring to dream and soaring to new heights through books is a powerful one that kids of any age can relate to. For stories of children coming to terms with life and bullies, try Harriet The Spy, or Disney’s The Kid. The Neverending Story is an amazing film, but there can be some creepy scenes. Parents and caregivers: Set limits for violence and more with Plus. Within the world of Fantasia, a young hero (Noah Hathaway) is assigned to complete a hazardous quest, sneak past the dreaded portals of some stone amazons, and reach the Ivory Tower, where he will receive further instructions from the empress. Approved Running time 89m 58s . See our. We won't share this comment without your permission. Our ratings are based on child development best practices. I didn’t even remember this character, but The Nothing’s emissary is a green eyed wolf that speaks to Atreyu in a raspy voice. Patricia Hayes, How could that be? Searching for streaming and purchasing options ... Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Fantastical characters in story may confuse or frighten young viewers. All rights reserved. When Bastian runs into some bullies, they chase him down an alley and throw him into a garbage dumpster.

Whereas the eyes opened slowly for Atreyu, indicating his doubt was creeping in rather than having a true self-doubt from the start. During this, there are many close up shots of Atreyu crying, heightening the upsetting nature of the scene. I wish I had waited to share this gem with him. Common Sense Media, a nonprofit organization, earns a small affiliate fee from Amazon or iTunes when you use our links to make a purchase. Violence: C+ Character threatened, chased by bullies and forced into garbage dumpster. All rights reserved.

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| If I could watch it five times in a row I would. Character zapped and killed by destructive laser beams emitted from statues. In 1975, he won the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished criticism. A taxidermy wolf head drops down above a boy in one of the scariest sequences. The Neverending Story Critics Consensus. Thanks to commonsensemedia.org, I was able to prepare him for the horse scene. Also, are the other critics controlling the Metascore high on something? The film contains an extremely upsetting and emotionally powerful scene, where the hero's beloved horse Artax slowly sinks to his death in the Swamps of Sadness. Family movie reviews, movie ratings, fun film party ideas and pop culture news — all with parents in mind. Think twice before seeing with a group of children: this movie messed with me for so long after watching it when I was around 8-9 and I had nightmares for quite a while. While the adventure begins when the main character opens a forbidden book, he acts bravely to save an endangered world and the Empress. Empathy is a major theme. What to Watch, Read, and Play While Your Kids Are Stuck Indoors, Common Sense Selections for family entertainment, Stoke kids' love of reading with great summer stories, Check out new Common Sense Selections for games, Teachers: Find the best edtech tools for your classroom with in-depth expert reviews, 6 formas de usar los medios para que los niños mantengan el español, Wide Open School: recursos para el aprendizaje a distancia, Which Side of History? The NeverEnding Story Rating & Content Info Why is The NeverEnding Story rated PG? (Hence the ending scene.) There is a lot of hidden symbolism in this movie, such as when Atreyu is going to walk through the gates, the eyes of the sphinx opened very quickly for the Knight who had all talk and no confidence in himself. I love that this film encourages the world of imagination and the importance of finding your own path and following your dreams, even if others think you are different for doing so. It was smooth sailing after that point. The NeverEnding Story is rated PG by the MPAA. The store owner tells him not to look at the book The NeverEnding Story, but Bastian does anyway. © Common Sense Media.

Beware! At the end of the film, the horse comes back to life, but first-time viewers obviously won't know that. This movie glorifies reading and turns every book into an adventure you'll never forget. (a giant made of stone, who snacks on quartz and rumbles around on his granite tricycle).

Think twice before seeing with a group of children: this movie messed with me for so long after watching it when I was around 8-9 and I had nightmares for quite a while. There is a lot we have to believe in "The NeverEnding Story," and that's the other great strength of this movie. My 4 year old says "this is the best movie I have ever seen! The star rating reflects overall quality. If you would like to receive regular newsletters about BBFC resources, workshops, advance information about events and recent classifications, join our mailing list by clicking the link below. It lets kids know that the story isn't just somehow happening, that storytelling is a neverending act of the imagination. I rate this 10/10. Please try again later. It is your own belief on what breasts are that make you think the scene is sexual in nature.

How Technology Is Reshaping Democracy and Our Lives, Participate in DigCit Week with your kid by using curated activities from Wide Open School, Online Playdates, Game Nights, and Other Ways to Socialize at a Distance, Keeping Kids Motivated for Online Learning. Join now. Watched with 9 and 6 year old daughters. See something that needs to be addressed? However, other than disturbingly bad acting, this is a completely tame film for... SUPER BORING, LONG AND SCARY!!!! The appearance of G'mork is very frightening.

What to Watch, Read, and Play While Your Kids Are Stuck Indoors, Common Sense Selections for family entertainment, Stoke kids' love of reading with great summer stories, Check out new Common Sense Selections for games, Teachers: Find the best edtech tools for your classroom with in-depth expert reviews, 6 formas de usar los medios para que los niños mantengan el español, Wide Open School: recursos para el aprendizaje a distancia, Which Side of History?

Do you think it is important to find a balance between these two worlds? The Neverending Story, or "Unendliche Geschichte, Die" as it's called in Germany, was directed by Wolfgang Petersen, and is a tale about a young boy named Bastian, who is a boy with a large imagination, who stops in an old bookstore after being chased into it by bullies, when he finds a mysterious book called "The Neverending Story".

Taglines To find other worlds of pure imagination, see our review of Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory, Fantasia 2000, or Jumanji. If you chose to provide an email address, it will only be used to contact you about your comment. Oscars Best Picture Winners Best Picture Winners Golden Globes Emmys San Diego Comic-Con New York Comic-Con Sundance Film Festival Toronto Int'l Film … The version of this work detailed above is rated by the BBFC under the Video Recordings Act 1984 for use on any Packaged Media format (including DVD, Blu-ray and VHS). A knight in armor is "zapped" by the golden sphynxes. Bastian being bullied at the start may be upsetting for kids who are going through that. The Parents Guide items below may give away important plot points. When Atreyu enters the sphinx gate the statues show exposed breasts.

It contains some of the more inventive special-effects work of a time when battles in outer space, etc., have grown routine. Why is this an important character strength? The neverending story is a fantastic movie! The world of Fantasia contains creatures inspired by Alice in Wonderland (a little man atop a racing snail), "The Muppets" (a cute dragon-dog that can fly), and probably B.C. Stone sphinx statues (human from waist up, animal from waist down) display topless female nudity. Common Sense is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of all kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the 21st century. The movie's director, Wolfgang Petersen, is accustomed to creating worlds in small places; his last film, "Das Boot" (The Boat), took place almost entirely within a submarine. They may also discuss a lesson from Bastian's father, who warns the young boy not to become overly caught up with his imagination. Overall: B-A grief stricken boy is forced to face his fears when he becomes involved in the storyline of a magical book, which contains some dramatic and thematic elements inappropriate for young children. He has green eyes and very sharp teeth and growls and roars like a wolf and speaks in a menacing, throaty whisper. Why is The NeverEnding Story rated PG? Families can also discuss the value of reading books, and how they can almost transport someone into another world. Plot Summary There is also a lot of blood when Atreyu stabs him. The idea of the story within a story is one of the nice touches in "The NeverEnding Story."

Receiving his commission at the Empress’s Ivory Tower, the hero embarks on a journey that will forced him to find inner confidence, summon unknown courage, and keep enough hope alive to prevent drowning in the “Swamps of Sadness.” But as the story progresses it becomes apparent that fantasy and reality are somehow intertwined, and Bastian has begun a parallel quest. Many of the special effects involve sophisticated use of Muppet-like creatures (there are scenes that reminded me of "The Dark Crystal"). Atreyu also is charged with finding a cure for a dying girl known as the Childlike Empress.