Customer Reviews

Empire of the Sun

5 star:		(113)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

A film by Steven Spielberg

Film critic Ernest Rister has written a brilliant review of "Empire of the Sun" where he details the unreality of the movie, how the viewer cannot trust what we are seeing on screen because it is the impressions of a 12 year old child and Spielberg gives us enough hints and allusions and images in the film that with a little bit of work, the viewer should be able to figure this out. Since I had read Mr Rister's review more than a year before I finally saw this movie, I tried to keep that knowledge in mind when I was seeing "Empire of the Sun" for the first time.

"Empire of the Sun" is the story of Jim (Christian Bale), a 12 year old British boy living in China with his parents. The movie is set during World War II when Japan was attacking China. During a raid on the city they are living in, Jim and his parents are trying to escape when they are separated. We don't know what happens to his parents, but Jim ends up in a Japanese internment camp. Jim meets an American named Basie (John Malkovich), whom he befriends and sort of tags along after. "Empire of the Sun" deals with the isolation and loneliness of this one boy who is quickly losing his innocence. That is really the heart of "Empire of the Sun", the loss of Jim's innocence in the midst of World War II.

The one thing that I struggled with was not taking this film at face value, that the events on screen are not truly happening, but rather how Jim is remembering them. They are happening as a twelve year old boy is seeing them, heightened and slightly distorted. I did not catch the clues that Mr. Rister wrote about, but I suspect you have to be studying "Empire of the Sun" to really grasp what Steven Spielberg is putting into the movie. Fortunately, "Empire of the Sun" works on two levels: as a straightforward film, and also on the level that Rister discovered and Spielberg intended.

-Joe Sherry

Made back in 1987, EMPIRE OF THE SUN, is based upon the best selling book by J.G. Ballard. It tells the story of Jim, (Christian Bale) a young British boy, who is separated from his parents, during World War II. His family is living in Japan at the time. The young boy is thrown into a Japanese internment camp. As the story unfolds, Jim befriends 2 Americans (John Malkovich and Joe Pantiliano) also trying to stay one step ahead of their captors and fight for freedom. As it says on the back of the DVD "Through [Jim's] eyes we see the facination and horror of war." Jim goes from being a child of innocence to an adult who is just trying to stay alive in a harsh world.

When the film ended, I had forgotton how flawless the movie is. This was not only a young boy's coming of age story, but a coming of age for Spielberg as a Director as well. This was his 1st film (up to that point) without a real "Gee Whiz" element to it The performance by Bale is outstanding. As the viewer, you really get a sense of what it must have been like to be held captive in that prison. The scene where Jim runs back to the comforts of his home, shortly after being separated from his Mom and Dad, only to find it ransacked, and his parents gone, is particularly effective. The scene is both horrible and funny at the same time The film also boasts some fine production design and a good film score by John Williams. The film was the first to be shot in the People's Republic of China and eagled-eyed viewers will note a supporting role from funny man Ben Stiller.

The only extra feature of note on the DVD is, a good 45 minute documentary, made at the time of production. The documentary is narrated by Actor Martin Sheen. When this movie was released, I remember the reviews being somewhat mixed. That is a shame. It is one of the only movies from Spielberg, that you don't hear much about, even today. I guess I just wanted to remind folks that EMPIRE OF THE SUN is still out there and certainly worth a first or second look

I could never emphasize this more: watch this movie!

I regret to say that I am one of those people who had not seen this movie since it's release in 1987. Only this year did i get around to it, all this time mistakenly confusing it with The Last Emperor which totally eclipsed this movie by winning most of the honors at the Oscars. However, as soon as i started to watch Empire of the Sun, i was immediately taken in by the story and the characters, especially by Christian Bale's stellar performance, for any age. This is by far the best war movie for me, as well as one of the best emotional responsive one. Very rarely does a movie get to me. This one made me weep every time at the end. And i have seen it well over 30 times now!!!

Also, one of the consequences of watching this movie was that i became a huge fan of Christian Bale. I am his age, but i had never seen any of his movies, except some excerpts from Batman Begins. But after watching Empire of the Sun, my curiosity got the best of me and i wondered what other movies he had been in, and if his performances were as good. I have seen almost all of his movies, and he is truly the best there is. One of the most versatile actors ever.

i really enjoyed this Steven Spielberg film,for a couple of reasons.the acting was one of the reasons.a young Christian Bale(around 12 years old at the time,i believe)is stellar.John Malkovich is excellent as well,as is Miranda Richardson.but Ben Stiller was almost unrecognizable in one of his earliest feature film performances.the story centres mostly on Bales character(Jim Graham)as he struggles to survive daily life in the wake of the Japanese occupation of Shanghai during the second World War.as well as the performances,i liked the look of the film.i think the filmmakers painted a vivid portrait of what daily life would have been life in an internment camp during that time,as well as the effect the physical effects the war would have on the landscape.i thought it was all quite effective and moving.for me,Empire of the Sun is a 4/5

One of the greatest dramas ever. Buy it. Watch it. Many times.

What a sensational film. I'm curious as to why it has been so overlooked all these years. It's so much more than a war movie. It not only speaks to the tenacity of the human spirit, but also to it's frailties.

When Jim reunites with his mother in the final scene, it always brings tears to my eyes. Yeah... lots of tears.

My intention is not to write a "helpful" review, but to reinforce the fact that this is one of the greatest movies ever made!

This movie is truly one of Mr. Spielberg's best. I may be a bit biased when it comes to a Spielberg's collaboration with John Williams, the composer, since I love all their works. I saw this movie first when I was in middle school and I still cannot forget it. I remember hearing the Exsultate Justi during the movie and getting chills down my back. As trite as it sounds, I was moved. Then, when I saw that the movie was released in DVD format, I HAD to get it. I highly recommand this movie to anyone.

Steven Speilberg has made so many films to be proud of, but this has to be my very favorite. If an essential element of a great film is it's ability to completely transport you to a different place and time, then this is a great film. The story, the music, the cinematography, the characters, and the recreations of pre WWII China are simply phenomenal; it is an incredible piece of cinematic art that hasn't been accorded the respect it is due.

Great movies have a lasting effect on you. I watch this film about once a year, and it never fails to touch me, amaze me, and leave me felling like I have spent time in a far distant place. You can't ask a movie to do much more.

I live in Oregon, so it's pretty doubtful I will ever see Steven Spielberg hanging out at the local Starbucks.....but if I ever do meet him, I would thank him for making this movie.

Empire of the Sun portrays World War II excellently! It shows what basic Japenese camps were like and gives us all a simple taste of what type of things happened. This movie was touching and worth the money!