MovieChat Forums > The Neverending Story II: The Next Chapter (1991) Discussion > Un-savable right from the start

Un-savable right from the start

posted 12 years ago by virgiltx
2 replies | jump to latest

If the script was uninspired and nothing special, and the filmmakers just saw this just a sequel "product", there's no way that the actors could save it.

It's pointless to criticize the acting of the main three plus Clarissa Burt. Their parts were so thinly written, how can you discern acting failure from character-development failure? And there's the factor of the direction. How many takes were done to get a good performance? How thoughtful was the editing process?

The acting seemed to reflect a malaise that must have come from higher up.
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[–] All_Seeing_I 12 years ago

I even thought John Wesley Shipp did a great job, at least considering the stereotypical and somewhat bland character he was written as. (Still the best character arc in the film, oddly...Bastian's was a bit confused and just too rushed and poorly done). Even Brandis, who mostly overacts, has a few genuine moments with Shipp.

You could tell Burt was just having fun with the role. She probably knew it was dreck and just wanted to give a deliciously hammy performance. I don't fault her in the slightest.

[–] pferreira86 9 years ago

If the script was uninspired and nothing special, and the filmmakers just saw this just a sequel "product", there's no way that the actors could save it.

Totally disagree. The third one was a cash in. The second was done with a lot of love and attention.