Atreyu_II This largely unknown film is okay, although flawed. Has influences from several countries, as it isn't a one-nationality movie, which makes it a mix of cultures and film-making (for good and for bad). Not just this, it also heavily "drank" inspiration from other fantasy movies in details.This is one of those films that make me wanna be taken to a world of fantasy, especially now when things only get worst every year. If that could be possible, that would be an excellent escape from reality. I am pretty sick of reality and probably many of us are.The cinematography is astonishing and so is the pan flute music (including a song which was composed by ABBA's former members Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus - 'Mio my Mio', performed by the Swedish band Gemini).As it was said in another review, the film doesn't deliver a lot of action, but to compensate it offers decent amounts of adventure, although without being too intense or exciting. The main villain is creepy and so are his intentions and way of talking. But he doesn't have that much of a role, so he ends up seeming less scary that he is.Nicholas Pickard and Christian Bale steal the show as the main actors, both in double roles, but still Christian Bale is the best of the two. Nicholas Pickard is not a familiar name to most (myself included). However, Christian Bale soon would become a famous and highly praised actor. Christian Bale starred in 'Empire of the Sun' in the same year as this (1987) and that was when he began to draw attentions from the public and press thanks to his amazing performance. He grew up to be a successful adult with a successful career, even if he's not as good as he was when younger.In each of the two roles played by these boys, they are good friends. Actually, their friendship is very sincere and humble. They have mutual respect and help each other. Whatever happened to friendships like this these days, when everything is so changed for worst that almost nothing seems to make sense any longer?

Armand Delicate, subtle, as a spring wind. A trip in the childhood colors, with the map of a gorgeous music. Nothing new, nothing spectacular. Two boys and the victory of good. A sword and two worlds. And the music as Proust madlene. A film who must be tasted by everyone. Not only for remember the beauty of a far age but for be more than a shadow. A film for understand the essence of life. Like a hopscotch in the grandparents yard. Christian Bale as Yo-yo, Chistopher Lee as Kato are bones of a time when the life was not a chase, not fiction or frustrations. And,an important piece is the language. In Russian the entire atmosphere is soft and warm.

Filmgalen I was 9 years old when this piece of crap was released at the theaters in Sweden. I loved the book and I still cannot believe that Astrid Lindgren sold the rights to these filmmakers (she later made the same mistake with the animated Pippi Longstocking). Several of her books had already been adapted to TV and cinema prior to this, with Swedish directors, screen-writers and actors. All of those adaptations are far superior to this one. This is just stupid and has lost all the subtle nuances, the moods and the atmosphere of the book. I remember realizing this at the age of 9, and that should give you an idea about how stupid this movie is. As for the music that everyone seems to love...IT IS PURE CRAP. Panflute player Dana Dragomir is one of the cheesiest musicians I know of, and the music is just a sweet, sugary mess. These are thoughts I also remember having in 1987. Horrible. Please, remake! Why not animated by Miyazaki, who is a big fan of Lindgren, and one of the few who seem to understand that less is always more. And please, everyone read the book instead of seeing the movie. This might be one of the worst adaptations of all time!

kassisme Overall this movie had bad writing and cheap sets. Christian Bale was adorable, though. That was the only plus in this movie. It seems to drag on with it's dry, dull writing. As much as I adore Christian Bale, it was still hard to watch because it was pretty much, a boring movie. Very small children may like this movie, but those over age 8 will most likely be bored.