I think that the first movie was the all time best, no matter how long the dad played a part in it. The second movie could have been better though. I do agree with most of you that the dad from the second movie was better only because he was more involved. Yet, had they did that in the first movie, it would have taken away from the story being centered around Bastian in the first place. I think the first dad's place was correct in the first movie. I don't know. I'm torn.