Empire of the Sun

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Summary: A wonderful childs view of war...
Review: EMPIRE OF THE SUN is a wonderful film for Steven Spielberg to have made. It gave him the freedom to make an "adult" film and yet still hold on to his childlike charms and flair for creative and showy filmmaking. Ironically, those are also the reasons that the film failed at the box office, and also the reasons that their is such cult support for the film. The film is unjustly overshadowed by two of his other wonderful WWII films, SCHINDLER'S LIST and SAVING PRIVATE RYAN. One of the reasons many viewers were cold to the film was its unique emotional front. Obvious war emotions explored in other films (PEARL HARBOR) are thankfully missing. Here, the emotions involve a young boys misguided attachment to the Japanese Army (who would soon be his captors). In a scene where Jim (CHRISTIAN BALE in a wonderful child performance) embraces an enemy plane and receives a salute from Japanese fighter pilots is not only beautiful, but also shows the world he longs to live in. And during an attack on the camp, Jim witnesses a P-51 fighter fly in close proximity and, in only a way a child could imagine, the pilot acknowledges him with a wave. The emotional payoff to the scene is wonderful. Young Jim's reunion with his parents also avoids the obvious emotions, rather focuses on a young boy who has really given up hope - or need - to ever see his parents again... These and hundreds of other images in the film are simply stunning, accentuated by a soaring musical score by composer JOHN WILLIAMS. This remains one of my all-time favorite films but is not without faults. There are themes wonderfully presented visually followed up by awkward dialogue for those who missed the point... When the atom bomb appears in the distance, young Jim thinks what he has seen is the soul of his recently departed caretaker, Mrs. Victor heading up to heaven. Later in the film he unnecessarily states it, twas already obvious. JOHN MALKOVICH gives a Spielberg performance right up their with Richard Dreyfuss and Harrison Ford. Watch for Ben Stiller in the small role as the American known as "DAINTY". The film is given a beautiful audio and video transfer and includes the documentary from the CLV laser disc, but nothing new is attahced.

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Summary: Most Overlooked Film of 1980's
Review: Surprisingly, this is not only the most overlooked film of the 1980's because of it's quality, but also because it is a Speilberg film! Christian Bale's introductory performance is genius, bolstered by great characters played by Joey Pants and Malkovitch.

I first saw this in the theater when I was 14, and it hit me pretty hard. I'm so happy to have this film on DVD, I only wish there was more special features on the disc. Oh well.

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Summary: Spielberg's WWII Sleeper Classic now on DVD (Widescreen)!!
Review: Based on J. G. Ballard's Bestseller and masterfully transformed to film by Steven Spielberg, we journey with Ballards childhood memories of the Japanese occupied Shanghai (he was actually a POW in Shanghai with his parents!!), China from Dec 1941 to the liberation in 1945 by American troops.

This sleeper classic of 1987 reflects the genius storytelling of Spielberg before his Director skills were recognized by Hollywood and his Oscars!! (Shindlers List & Saving Private Ryan). Spielbergs fixation of WWII and the Greatest Generation is a direct result of his fathers experiences, stories and the holocaust. Few stories were told about the Japanese' atrocities against humanity and the Chinese. This story helps explain the other war during WWII through the eyes of civilian POWs and especially of Ballards as a 12 year old boy in war ravaged China from 1937 - 1945.

In Summary: A 12 year old rich, spoiled, totally dependent, English boy Jim Graham (played brillantly by Christian Bale) who idolizes Japanese aviators, the Japanese Zero aircraft and the supreme air power of the Japanese Military. Separated from his parents during the Japanese occupation of Shanghai shortly after Pearl Harbor finds him suddenly cast into the world of war, alone. Thrown into POW camps with thousands of European & Americans learns to be come a survivor by befriending everyone, including the Japanese. Through 4 years of incredible suffering & circumstances becomes a man, an independent survivor. As the war winds down he sees the Japanese vulnerabilty and downfall. He now idolizes the new world power America, the American aviator & the P-51 Mustang aircraft "Cadillac of the Sky".

This will be come a WWII Spielberg classic, especially now that it has been released on DVD, WIDESCREEN & DIGITALLY REMASTERED. This movie totally consumes us and the John Williams sound track adds to the story telling.

Note: SIDE A - is the ANAMORPHIC WIDESCREEN movie 150 mins. SIDE B - is Steven Spielbergs documentary "A China Odyssey". (about the actual events in China vs Empire of the Sun). A great background featurette showing us the detail and history of Shanghai then & now!!

This is a great film and now can understand the "EMPIRE IN THE SUN".

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Summary: PROOF OF SPIELBEGERIAN MEDIOCRITY
Review: This film will teach you what it mean for a director to
have technical talent but have no redeming ability get within
miles of brining an iota emphaty or warmth to HUMANS on film.
The movie tries for heartfelt but it is stuck in the
EDDIE HASKELL universe of false emotions and overbearingness.
If you want a hearfelt story about a kid growing up in a war
try THE TIN DRUM.

Rating:
Summary: Sadly overlooked film
Review: This is definitely one of Spielbergs top films. Sweeping, emotional, beautifully shot and scored and acted - it really is a great film.

It was overlooked when it came out, because it came out the same year that The Last Emperor was released, which got all the attention, both from the critics and from the movie-going audience.

For me, the emotional heart of the movie is when Jim realizes that he can't remember what his mother looks like - even though he has been acting, and been treated, as an adult in the camp, he is still a boy who isn't quite ready to deal with the adult world after all.

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Summary: A Spielberg Classic on par with Raiders and E.T.
Review: Although one of Spielberg's least successful efforts, this underrated film follows the WWII adventures of a 12 year old named Jim (brilliant portrayed by Christian Bale), caught in the throes of the fall of China. The British boy, living a well-sheltered life in Shanghai, is separated from his parents and forced to fend for himself when Japan invades China at the outset of WW2.

Jim's transformation, from spoiled British ruling-class child to an imprisoned, desperate, and feral boy, is stunning. Bale's impressive performance is supported by powerful sets, cinematography, and potent, sometime overbearing soundtrack by John Williams.

Based on the autobiography by J.G. Ballard, Spielberg turned EMPIRE OF THE SUN into a sweeping war drama that marked his own first steps of artistic growth towards his future "epics" Saving Private Ryan, and Schiendler's.

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Summary: The Empire Strikes Back
Review: Empire Of The Sun is one of Steven Spielberg's least successful films. Unlike some of his other commercial failures (1941 & Hook to name two), Empire Of The Sun is an excellent film. Set in World War II China, it shows the fall of the Chinese Dynasties and the effects it has on a twelve year British aristocrat. Christian Bale is outstanding as the twelve-year boy and his transformation from pampered rich kid to a streetwise survivor is stunning. John Malkovich is equally brilliant as the boy's mentor. The movie was generally panned at the time of its release in 1987, but in the fourteen years after its release, it has gained the respect it so richly deserved at the time.

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Summary: Simply the Best
Review: Quite simply, this is the best film Steven Spielberg ever made. Everyone pays attention to the more obvious "issue" period pieces (like Schindler's List and Saving Private Ryan).
Spielberg made his first "true drama" with The Color Purple in 1985 and then perfected his drama storytelling with Empire of the Sun. The first time I saw it, I wasn't sure what to think. But upon repeat viewings and spotting the subtle nuances that Spielberg includes, I've come to realize that this is a work of art.

Perhaps the mild advertising and lack of word of mouth kept this movie from getting as much acclaim as it did. That's okay, the fact that its so underrated makes it even more of a gem to discover.

Watch it! You'll be surprised at the talent involved here in Christian Bale. You'll also spot "Spielbergian"-techniques that he used in so many other films.

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Summary: Leonard Maltin doesn't know what he's talking about!
Review: Don't ever listen to his reviews. This is a spectacular story and as usual, Spielberg touches this piece with his excellent story telling. Don't rent it, buy it!

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Summary: Every boy can associate with Jim.
Review: The scene where Jim salutes the Japanese pilots with sparks flying in the background evokes the child in all of us. The line between friend and foe blurs just long enough for a child to salute his heroes to mark the end of his innocence. The scene still brings tears to my eyes.

Overall, the movie is easily one of Spielberg's best, putting it behind only 'Saving Private Ryan,' and 'Schindler's List.' Just like 'Always,' it deserves a lot more credit as both movies reach into the soul to evoke memories of more innocent times. I've never seen a child not fall in love with this movie, so it's a great watch for the whole family.