While The NeverEnding Story was a classic film from the 1980's, this sequel, released in 1990, is not well remembered (but it is not the worst, as The NeverEnding Story III: Escape From Fantasia takes that dishonor).
Basically, I don't mind the cast change, with Thomas Hill being the only actor from the original reprising his role as Carl (then again, it is said there were legal issues with the author of the book the film was based on). However, the film suffers from inconsistencies with the first film. At the start, Bastian is back at his homeworld (despite the first film saying he remained in Fantasia to have more adventures) and the Empress is not called by the name Bastian gave her near the end of the first film.
One of the many things The NeverEnding Story excelled at is special effects, and sadly, it seems the sequel has them take a major downgrade. Here, we have some unimpressive characters (like Tri Face, who looks like Fantasia's rip-off of Man-E-Faces from Masters Of The Universe), the sets are not as impressive, and overall, it pales in comparison to the original.
Basically, I don't mind the cast change, with Thomas Hill being the only actor from the original reprising his role as Carl (then again, it is said there were legal issues with the author of the book the film was based on). However, the film suffers from inconsistencies with the first film. At the start, Bastian is back at his homeworld (despite the first film saying he remained in Fantasia to have more adventures) and the Empress is not called by the name Bastian gave her near the end of the first film.
One of the many things The NeverEnding Story excelled at is special effects, and sadly, it seems the sequel has them take a major downgrade. Here, we have some unimpressive characters (like Tri Face, who looks like Fantasia's rip-off of Man-E-Faces from Masters Of The Universe), the sets are not as impressive, and overall, it pales in comparison to the original.