The NeverEnding Story III - Escape From Fantasia (1994)

40% of users liked it
(16,632 ratings)

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 familiar, as Bastian Bux (here played by Jason James Richter), who has moved to a new town, again… More 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 familiar, 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

Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 35 min.
Directed By: Peter MacDonald
Genres: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Kids & Family

In Theaters: Feb 2, 1996 Wide
On DVD: Jun 4, 2002

Critic Reviews

Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Nothing touches the original, but this sequel is still good children's viewing.
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.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

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.
Curtis L

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.
Lafe F

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… More
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 our world instead, making it far less interesting.
Dannielle A

If it had the same actors, it would be better, but these actors do a good job.
Gavin C

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 teenager, he… More
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 teenager, 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
The S

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… More
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 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.

Read all 6 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Jason James Richter as Bastian Balthazar Bux

            Melody Kay as Nicole Baxter

            Freddie Jones as Mr. Coreander (librarian)

            Jack Black as Slip [The Nasties]

            Ryan Bollman as Dog [The Nasties]

            Carole Finn as Mookie [The Nasties]

            Tracey Ellis as Jane Bux (Mother)

            Kevin McNulty as Barney Bux Father

            Julie Cox as The Empress [Die Kindliche Kaiserin]

            Moya Brady as Urgl female gnome

            Tony Robinson as Engywook male gnome

            Nicole N. Parker as Coil (The Nasties)

            P. Adrien Dorval as Nasty #2

            John Bear Curtis as Lumberjack

            William Hootkins as Bark Troll

            David Longworth as Log Dispatcher

            Richard Newman as Photographer

            Kaefan Shaw as Bark Troll (Borkentroll)

            Frederick Warder as Mr. Rock Chewer (Felsenbeisser)

            Mark Acheson as Janitor

            Veena Sood as Sales Woman

            Irene Lamb
            
            Lynne Carrow
            
            Mike Fenton
            
            Marilyn Norry as Mrs. Crackerby
See full cast