Platicsco
Good story, Not enough for a whole film
Tayloriona
Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.
Kirandeep Yoder
The joyful confection is coated in a sparkly gloss, bright enough to gleam from the darkest, most cynical corners.
MARIO GAUCI
Based on the children's classic by Astrid Lindgren, this was obviously intended as the Swedish reply to the international commercial success enjoyed by West Germany with THE NEVERENDING STORY (1984); the result proved nowhere near as effective and, if the film is remembered today, this is chiefly due to the presence of Christopher Lee (naturally, as the villain of the piece) and the very young Christian Bale playing the titular hero's sidekick in his screen debut.As with the afore-mentioned Wolfgang Petersen fantasy, this starts out in modern times – with the protagonist bullied by his peers and unloved even by his (adopted) family. Seeking his wanderer dad, he is transported to a fairy-tale landscape and finds that here he is the King (Timothy Bottoms), and his own name has been changed from Bosse to Mio; likewise, the boy's only chum (Bale) is called Benke in our age and Jum-Jum in the Land of Faraway. A legend concerning a king's son defeating the evil knight Kato (Lee, sporting an iron claw and, literally, a heart of stone) – who abducts the children of the realm and, for no discernible reason, transforms them into birds – is expected to be fulfilled upon Mio's arrival. Typically, a number of characters come into play during the journey either to help, hinder or assail our young adventurers; indeed, before departing, he is given a sword capable of cutting through both steel and stone and a magical coat that allows him to become invisible simply by wearing it inside out – the latter is provided by weaver Susannah York. For the record, despite their above-title credit, both York's and Bottoms' contributions are negligible at best.Oddly enough, there is barely any action prior to the last half-hour of the 99-minute film – when the two boys are imprisoned but escape soon after and Mio confronts Kato, who is turned wholly to stone upon being run through with the hero's sword. Ultimately, the film makes for harmless and reasonably pleasant-looking viewing – and, while its artistic potential comes up lacking compared to other contemporaneous Hollywood efforts of its ilk (such as LADYHAWKE {1985} and WILLOW {1988}), the producers certainly left nothing to chance by commissioning two former members of the hugely popular Swedish pop group ABBA to compose the title tune!
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.
sjon2
I have no idea why previous comment said that this movie is bad, bad, bad... I believe it has a lot better plot then lots of late American kids movies. I absolutely love this movie. I have seen it when I was just a teenager and now I have found it again. I used to relate myself to it and imagine that the Spirit will someday come for me too... What an imaginative kid I was!!! Nowadays I have two kids myself and am sure they will enjoy watching it too. I couldn't believe that it was so expensive to purchase since it is out of print for 5 years, but my husband had spoiled me this Christmas, after hearing my nostalgic story. :)
sd11009
I saw this movie first in the early 90's when I was a kid and watched it again yesterday, 10+ years later. It was more impressive back then, I must admit. :)The first part of the story reminded me of Harry Potter and the second of Lord of the Rings, however it solid on it's own and has enough unique features, so you wouldn't be bored. A great fairytale for kids. Not too complex and doesn't have that much emotional tension. I only wish the acting was better, and the events would happen faster, but for an 1987 kids movie it's fine. Otherwise an enjoyable adventure.
