Rating: 
Summary: There's not enough praise in the world for this movie!
Review: Empire of the Sun was a big box office disappointment when it came out in 1987, and even if it was just realeased today, the result would not have been better. Why? At a time when, to most people, The Simpsons is a major cultural event and "Jackass the Movie" is a thought provoker, truly deep classics like EOTS are easily overlooked. People just don't want to think anymore :(But enough bashing the time period and back to the movie. The storyline is very interesting, the directing, cinematography and music are all superb. The script is nothing short of BRILLIANT, containing some of the most memorable and heartbreaking lines such as "Yes! You taught me that people would do ANYTHING for a potato!" and "Pretend you're dead, Mrs. Victor!" and so many more. The acting by Christian Bale is not ONE of the best for a CHILD actor, but is THE BEST for ANY ACTOR today. From beginning to end, Bale understood the every emotion that his character needs to display, and he conveyed those emotions so cleverly that even at scenes where he said nothing, we can still read what was going on in his head just by looking through his eyes. He was never over-sappy like the other child actors, but instead he pulled off something on the more sophisticated level for a very complex character. Watch his equally amazing performance in American Psycho and all the other Hollywood big stars will seem like talentless sock-puppets (which some of them really are) next to him. I've read some reviewers complaining that the ending is too conventional, too Spielbergish, and too Hollywood, just because Jim is reunited with his parents and it's a happy ending. But they forgot that this is a true story, the author really was reunited with his parents. They also forgot (or not smart enough) to look deeper into the symbolism, which was stunningly visualized: Jim's suitcase that contained everything of his happy childhood abandoned and flowing along side with the deads on the Yangtze river. It symbolizes the destruction of the child's spirit and loss of innocence and childhood. So the film may APPEARS to be a happy ending, but in deeper perspective, it is a TRAGEDY. That is another brilliant point of the film, just a stroke of genius! And there are many many more symbolisms in this movies that make it very thought-provoking and cannot be fully understood through one viewing. If you haven't seen this movie, do yourself a favor and buy it, you won't regret it. Get ready for the most mesmerizing experience of your life!
Rating: 
Summary: Well done, but doesn't stand out.
Review: I guess it was okay, but it wasn't really amazing. Summary:
Jim (Christian Bale), a young boy (around 12 or so) is living in Shanghai, China with his wealthy parents as World War II breaks out and China becomes involved. Raised with a silver spoon in his mouth, Jim has never really had to take care of himself. When the Japanese invade Shanghai, Jim is separated from his parents, goes through a series of adventures, and eventually ends up in an internment camp. Jim idolizes a man named Basie (John Malkovich) because Basie is able to thrive in the internment camp, getting pretty much whatever he wants. Jim tries to become like him and get into Basie's favor. However, when Basie finally escapes and doesn't take Jim with him even though he promised to, Jim realizes that Basie isn't his friend. There are other characters and other stories that are running through the movie, but Jim, in the end, is eventually found by his parents in a very touching scene where he actually has to feel his mothers face and hair to realize that she is there and that this isn't another dream. My Comments:
Don't get me wrong, the movie was well-done. I just don't think I got it. Sure, Christian Bale and John Malkovich are good in the film. But, it just didn't grip me like other movies have. It did make me think of what it would be like if war were to actually come to where I live. What would I do? What would happen? How would I respond? I think that is an interesting question. But, this movie seems to explore these questions in a very strange fashion. Jim rides his bike in his parents house once it is abandoned. He befriends a young Japanese Kamikaze pilot who behaves like a friend (saves him from being caught). He salutes the Japanese Kamikaze pilots and embraces a plane. Yes, all of this is very interesting, but I the movie just didn't resonate with me. For all of the sympathy that could be doled out on Jim from the viewer's perspective, I still thought that Jim was weird. He didn't behave like a normal kid would (at least, in my opinion he didn't) and I just wasn't convinced throughout. Overall, good movie, but not something I would really care to see again. The book might be interesting; I'll have to look into it.
Rating:
Summary: Boy carries film
Review: Attractive youth carries this film, and very successfully, much as Jamie Belle carries Billy Elliot. An innocent caught in war, like The Pianist or Europa Europa. Younger / older relationship here crosses the line, explore also L.I.E. with Paul Franklin Dano.
Rating:
Summary: Steven does it once again.
Review: My husband and I sat down to watch this movie the other night. I was sort of skeptical thinking that it was just another war movie, but it turned out to be so much more than just that. It's based on a true story, and if you buy the DVD, it has a behind the scenes look on how they made it and even interviews the man who was once the little boy experiencing these amazing events so long ago. In fact, he wrote his story and that's how the movie came about. It's directed by Steven Spielburg, so it has amazing action scenes and special effects. For those who don't know, it's set in WW 2, about the Japanese and their attack on China shortly after their attack on Pearl Harbor. Many British people are living in China at this time, including a spoiled little rich boy named James, who gets separated from his parents during the attack and ends up in a Japanese prison camp. During this time, James does a lot of growing and makes friends, including John Malkovich. I won't give away all the details of this exciting true story, but I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Spielbergs' Masterpiece
Review: This is Spielbergs overlooked masterpiece. The acting is great, the story powerful, and the music incredible. As Jim (Christian Bale) makes friends with two americans (John Malkovich) he learns the street trade. Then he is sent to an internment camp where he works everyone to his advantage. He seems to know how to get what he wants, when it comes time for people to be picked to leave Jim manipulates the officers to let him go. Jim befriends the head of his new internment campby respecting him and gets his friends out of a lot of trouble. Jim encounters a young Japanese boy whose plane has gone over the fence and befriends him also, this is the first time Jim sees the power of the Japanese planes and he respects them. The movie goes on to show Jim getting older and learning his trade better. When Jim encounters a Japanese pilot about to commit suicide by flying his plane into something he salutes them and sings with them, then the Americans come and save the camp by bombing it. The camp goes to shambles and they end up evacuating it. When they are leaving Jim sees his friend (the little boy whose plane had gone over the fence) committing suicide by flying his plane into something, he gets into the plane and it cannot start. This is symbolic of the Japanese air force failing, Jim lost his respect for them then. I don't want to spoil the movie for you so I won't tell you the end. This is a great movie that deserves the respect that Spielbergs newer movies have gotten. This is one of the best dramas I have ever seen. It has everything a movie should have. Please go out and rent it, if you don't you will definitely miss out on a movie that I think is one of the best ever.
Rating:
Summary: Remarkable story, acting, film.
Review: I can't get enough of this film. I have seen it several times and it is now one of my all time favorite movies. If you haven't seen it, it's a must. A great film for the whole family, especially children. I won't go into the details of the movie, see the other reviews for that info. There is so much meaning and content to this film, you can't help but think about it for hours after watching it. This movie, in my humble opinion, is the greatest masterpiece Steven Spielberg has ever created. I'm shocked that it wasn't a blockbuster upon release.
Rating:
Summary: The most underrated Speilberg Masterpiece
Review: Who would of thought that Steven Spielberg was capable of such depth and truth? This film is an outstanding example how Speilberg can make big budget Hollywood films into powerful art pieces. Like Shindler's List and The Color Purple, when he wants to say something sincere and powerful, he does. This is by far the best example of that. The acting is superb, the visuals are beautiful and yet neccessary. Also, unlike Saving Private Ryan, the scenes that raise emotion are subtle in direction and intelligently crafted by the director. It's an absolute shame that this masterpiece is overlooked by critics and audiences. It makes Saving Private Ryan look like an action film.
Steven Spielberg is an emotional, sentimental director who isn't afraid to pour his beliefs onto the screen. Sometimes his films seem a little forced and insulting; in this case, however, his maturity and passion for life is so beautifully conducted that one shouldn't miss this masterpiece.
Not only the most underrated Speilberg film, but perhaps the most underrated Hollywood masterpiece ever....
Rating:
Summary: My Favourite Film
Review: J.G. Ballard (author) My absolutely favourite film of all time and it's Spielberg...who would have thought.
This is the true story (the childhood of the author J.G. Ballard) of an English boy at school in one of the little bits of rural Surrey imperialistically planted all over Gods earth by the everywhere British...lest they should become homesick for Village Green...Home and Hearth...tea and Cricket. Into this cosseted world arrive, quite unannounced...the Japanese.
John Malcovich...so awesome he stars in a film about John Malcovich...is in this movie and I shall, for I need, say no more on that score.
Miranda Richardson (Queeny in Blackadder, perchance anyone cares), Leslie Philips (Gawd! I love Leslie Philips the old rouge), Nigel Havers (beloved of the French...not quite sure why) they're all in it to win it, and the envelope if you will.
And the winner is.......(drum roll please) Christian Bale. (He doesn't know it...but I fully intend to be re-incarnated as his worshipping much younger brother in my next life). You have never seen acting excellence until you see this performance. Course I have a few gripes...like at the end the camp is liberated by the Yanks..."B52, Cadillac of the skies", whereas it was...yer well you know what I'm about to say by now...the Brits yes. Yet if US audiences can't cope (and will even not pay) without being portrayed as wholesome hero saviour at least once a film then let them have their fix if that's what it will take to get the film made. Who cares...it's just a bit pitiful is all.
Rating:
Summary: Top five movies ever
Review: This movie takes a look at how people really are and how they survive in unthinkable times. A very deep subject! Spielberg has outdone himself which is saying a lot. He is so able to push aside clutter and get to what is real and true. The breadth of the moral issues here are almost overwhelming. Then there is the acting!! Great! See it again and again and again.
Rating: 
Summary: BEAUTIFUL & HARROWING
Review: It is not surprising that in an age where "The Simpsons" are so popular, that a movie like "Empire of the Sun" proved to be a box office flop. Our society has gone through a dumbing down phase with no relief in sight. Alas, I am digressing into social commentary, so on to the movie. This is a truly gorgeous film, beautifully shot with tremendous acting by the entire cast. I agree with others that Christian Bale is superb. His range is amazing. He is a spoiled child that losses everything and comes close to the edge of insanity. Malkovitch is outstanding as well. So many memorable momments: overseeing the adult couple making love, the saluting of the Japanese fighter pilot, the toy airplane at the custom party, the slap by the servant who is caught looting Jim's house. Those of you that have seen this movie, know I could go on and on. The end of the movie was perfect. Simply, perfect. This is one of my top 100 movies, if not top 50. I hope to get around to the book someday. I hope you enjoy it when you see it.
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