Watch The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter

After the success of the 1984 classic The NeverEnding Story, the second installment of the franchise was released in 1990 under the title The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter. The movie follows the adventures of the young boy Bastian Balthazar Bux, once again transported to the world of Fantasia through the power of the magical book. However, the fantasy world is in danger once again, plagued by an evil force that threatens to destroy it forever.

Jonathan Brandis, known for his roles in It and SeaQuest DSV, takes on the role of Bastian in this installment, replacing Barret Oliver from the first movie. Bastian is portrayed as a lonely and troubled teenager, struggling with his parents' recent divorce and his difficulties fitting in with his peers. When he stumbles upon the magical book once again, he is whisked away into the incredible world of Fantasia, where he must navigate through perilous challenges in order to save the beloved land from annihilation.

Bastian is aided in his quest by his old friend Atreyu, played by Kenny Morrison. Together, they journey through the vast and mystical land, encountering a variety of new and fascinating creatures along the way. One of them is the beautiful fairy-like creature named the Childlike Empress, who entrusts Bastian with the safety of the mystical Auryn amulet. The amulet, once again a beacon of hope for the people of Fantasia, must be returned to its rightful place in the castle of the Ivory Tower in order to save the land from destruction.

Helping them on their journey is the reckless and comical character named Bark Troll. Bark Troll, played by famous voice actor Billie Hayes, provides much needed levity to the film, often causing chaos and confusion wherever they go.

The villains of the movie are the trio of witches, Xayide, played by Clarissa Burt, the High Priestess of the Dark, and her two aides. Xayide is cunning and manipulative, leading the charge to destroy Fantasia and everything it stands for. Her ultimate goal is to rule over the magical land with an iron fist, and she will stop at nothing to achieve her nefarious plan.

The movie is full of action-packed scenes and stunning visuals, taking viewers on a wild ride through a world of magic and wonder. The special effects and puppetry work involved in creating the creatures of Fantasia are top-notch, providing the audience with a truly immersive experience.

The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter is a thrilling and enchanting adventure film that carries on the legacy of its predecessor. Although it may not have reached the same level of acclaim as the first movie, it is still a beloved staple of 90s cinema, bringing joy to generations of viewers with its timeless story of hope and courage.

The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter is a 1991 kids & family movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 29 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.1 and a MetaScore of 30.