The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter
International theatrical release poster by Renato Casaro
Directed by	George T. Miller
Produced by	Dieter Geissler
Screenplay by	Karin Howard
Starring	Jonathan Brandis Kenny Morrison Clarissa Burt John Wesley Shipp Martin Umbach
Music by	Robert Folk
Cinematography	David Connell
Editing by	Chris Blunden Peter Hollywood
Studio	CineVox Filmproduktion
Distributed by	Warner Bros.
Release date(s)	October 25, 1990 (1990-10-25) (Germany)
Running time	90 minutes
Country	West Germany United States
Language	English
Money made	$17.4 million

The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter is a fantasy movie from 1990. It was made in both West Germany and the United States. This film is a sequel, meaning it continues the story from the first movie, The NeverEnding Story.

The movie was directed by George T. Miller. It stars Jonathan Brandis as the main character, Bastian Bux. Kenny Morrison plays Atreyu, and Alexandra Johnes is the Childlike Empress. Only one actor from the first movie, Thomas Hill, returned to play Carl Conrad Coreander.

This film uses ideas from the second half of Michael Ende's book, The Neverending Story. However, it also adds a brand new storyline. When the movie came out in American theaters in 1991, a Bugs Bunny cartoon called "Box-Office Bunny" was shown before it. This cartoon was also included when the movie was released on VHS and LaserDisc.

The Story: A New Adventure

Bastian's Fear and a Magical Call

Bastian Bux wants to join his school's swimming team. But he has acrophobia, which means he's very scared of heights. This fear makes it hard for him to jump off the diving board. To find courage, Bastian visits Carl Conrad Coreander's old bookstore. There, he finds the Neverending Story book again. He hears the Childlike Empress calling for his help from inside the book.

Bastian takes the book home. Suddenly, the Auryn amulet magically comes off the book's cover. Bastian takes the amulet, and it pulls him into the magical world of Fantasia. In Fantasia, he meets a bird-like creature named Nimbly. He also reunites with his friend, Atreyu.

The Threat of Emptiness

Bastian, Nimbly, and Atreyu soon run into some giants. After escaping them, Bastian learns about a terrible force called "Emptiness." This force is spreading across Fantasia, making parts of it disappear. The evil sorceress Xayide is behind this. She wants to take control of Fantasia.

To stop Bastian from helping, Xayide's inventor, Tri-Face, creates a special machine. This machine makes Bastian lose a memory every time he uses the Auryn amulet to make a wish. Nimbly, the bird-like creature, was actually sent by Xayide. His job is to trick Bastian into making lots of wishes. This way, Bastian will forget why he came to Fantasia in the first place.

Xayide's Tricks and a Father's Search

Bastian and Atreyu manage to find and capture Xayide. She pretends to give up her plan to take over Fantasia. She even agrees to lead them to the Childlike Empress's castle. But during their journey, Xayide plays tricks on Bastian. She makes him believe that his friends will turn against him. She also tricks him into making many silly wishes. Atreyu soon realizes that Xayide is just leading them around in circles.

Meanwhile, back in the real world, Bastian's father, Barney, notices his son is missing. He finds the Neverending Story book in Bastian's room. On the cover, there's a sticker with the bookstore's address. Barney quickly goes to confront Mr. Coreander. But Mr. Coreander simply tells him that the answers about his son are inside the book. Barney returns later with a police officer, but the bookstore is now empty. Eventually, Barney starts reading the book himself. He is amazed to see his son's adventures in Fantasia being written right there in the book. He even finds himself mentioned in the story!

The Final Wish and a Brave Jump

Atreyu figures out Xayide's true plan. But Bastian is now completely convinced that Atreyu has turned against him. They struggle, and Atreyu accidentally falls off a cliff, seeming to die. Bastian returns to Xayide and discovers the machine that has been stealing his memories. He realizes he only has two memories left: his mother and his father.

Bastian uses his second-to-last memory, of his mother, to wish Atreyu back to life. Xayide then tries to force Bastian to use his very last wish to go home. Bastian agrees, but instead, he wishes for the sorceress "to have a heart." This wish fills Xayide with real feelings and emotions. It destroys the "Emptiness" that was inside her and that she controlled. Overwhelmed with kindness, Xayide explodes in a bright light, and Fantasia is saved and restored.

The Childlike Empress thanks Bastian for his bravery. Bastian gives her the Auryn amulet. She shows him the way home: a cliff overlooking a waterfall. This is meant to help Bastian finally overcome his fear of heights. With encouragement from his father, Barney, and Atreyu, Bastian bravely jumps off the cliff. He returns home safely, and the Auryn amulet magically goes back onto the book's cover.

Main Characters

• Jonathan Brandis as Bastian Balthazar Bux: The main character, a young boy who enters Fantasia.
• Kenny Morrison as Atreyu: A brave warrior from Fantasia and Bastian's friend.
• Clarissa Burt as Xayide: The evil sorceress who tries to take over Fantasia.
• John Wesley Shipp as Barney Bux: Bastian's caring father.
• Alexandra Johnes as Childlike Empress: The kind ruler of Fantasia.
• Thomas Hill as Carl Conrad Coreander: The owner of the mysterious bookstore.
• Donald Arthur (voice) as Falkor: The lucky dragon, a loyal friend.
• Martin Umbach as Nimbly: A bird-like creature who works for Xayide.
• Noah Hathaway (uncredited archival footage) as Atreyu: Footage from the first movie.
• Dan Fincher (uncredited voice) as Rockbiter: A giant rock creature.

Music from the Movie

The music for The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter was created by Giorgio Moroder and Robert Folk. The official soundtrack album was released in 1990. It includes many songs that help tell the story and set the mood for the adventure in Fantasia.

See also

In Spanish: The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter para niños