Empire Of The Sun (Special Edition)

Advantages: Superb performance by Christian Bale; John Williams' memorable soundtrack
Disadvantages: Not quite the epic it sets out to be

Empire of the Sun (1987) Cast List Jim Graham – Christian Bale Basie – John Malkovich Jim’s mother – Emily Richard Jim’s father – Rupert Frazer Mrs Victor – Miranda Richardson Dr Rawlins – Nigel Havers Maxton – Leslie Phillips Frank Demarest – Joe Pantoliano Music – John Williams Director – Steven Spielberg Running time – 146 minutes Certificate – PG (UK and USA) Based on the autobiographical novel by JG Ballard, Empire of the Sun is ...
...popcorn flicks, I suppose. Empire of the Sun has a simple enough tale: the growth of a boy into manhood set against the events of the Second World War. That boy is Jim Graham, the son of upper class parents living in the British colony in Shanghai, all blissfully ignoring the build-up to war that is apparent around them. The colonists live a life of great luxury, filled with servants and limousines to take them through the crowded and dirty streets ... Read review

Advantages: Beautiful, Heartwarming!
Disadvantages: None!

Released in 1988, Empire of the Sun is a brilliant epic movie set during the second world war. Directed by Steven Spielberg, the movie introduced a very young Christian Bale to the silver screen, who we all know by now has gone on to become a household name. The movie is set around the Japanese invasion of China, during the second world war. Jamie Graham (Christian Bale), a precocious and priviledged young boy, and his parents are forced to flee ...
...to the invasion. Amid the mayhem of the escape, Jamie is separated from his parents, and returns to his old house in hope that they will return there to be re-united. As the days and weeks go by, with no sign of his parents returning, and with every last scrap of food having been consumed, Jamie is forced onto the streets of Shanghai, where he is rescued and taken in by two Americans, Basie (John Malkovich) and Frank (Joe Pantoliano). Basie and ... Read review

Advantages: An excellent film evoking all sorts of emotions each time you watch it.
Disadvantages: Can get quite deep. Not for those who enjoy the average mega action film which is Holywood's usual type

...plot: I first wathcing Empire of the Sun when I was about 7, and only thought of it as a good film with lots of explosions. Later I cam upon it when I was older and thought I watch it just for nostalgia's sake. It was only then I realised the true power of this film. An absolute classic adapted from the great book. The film evokes different feelings every time, and will be interpereted differetly depending on what mood YOU are in. In that way the ...
...many other famous actors/actress'. The movie chronicles the story of the Japanese expansion into China and how they crushed the British colonial rule, only to put their own ruthless regime in its place. It truly shows how war does not just affect the individual but the entire world and everyone in it. Running through this is the story of Jim, the son of a rich upper class family who starts in the story as a complete brat. The method and magnitude ... Read review

Advantages: Compelling, Moving, Best Child Actor Ever, Story, Artistic
Disadvantages: Late DVD Region 2 Release

This is such a fantastic film sporting child actor at the time Christian Bale who delivers one of the best performances i have ever seen from a minor. The story of a young British child in 2nd World War Japan who loses his parents after a huge riot which he caused through the mischeif you would expect from a child, i won't give too much away... The story is, for what i can gather is utterly flawless, with no plot-holes or misconceptions of the era. ...
...somewhat on John Malkovich's charter "Basie" who you grow to either love or hate throughout the film. I have no idea why the film wasn't released prior to 2006 on region 2 DVD, considering it was produced back in 1987. It has lost so much of its credibility! Other performances include the role of John Malcovich whos character is at first a saviour to young Chrisitan Bale, but becomes increasingly unpopular with the audience throughout the film but ... Read review

Advantages: good for the whole family
Disadvantages: bit boreing

This film was ok. It is a good family film, that most people can watch without being bored. I dont think that i would buy the film or even watch it again though. It is about an English boy who is living in asia and he gets splitt up from his parents when he is evacuating as the japanese invade. He struggles to survive in his old house with no food and eventually meets some americans who help him out before they all get taken to a prison camp where ... Read review

Advantages: A great adventure of human spirit
Disadvantages: can be slightly tedious at times

...Empire of the Sun is a story focusing on young Jim Graham, an 11 year old born and raised in Shanghai during the inter-war years, he has a fondness for the Japanese and feels more closely akin to them rather than the British home nation, exampled by the comment to his father that he wished to join the Japanese air force. Jim's world is turned upside down prior to Christmas 1941 when the Japanese invade Shanghai forcing many residents to flee or be taken prisoner, he loses contact both with his father and then mother in the intervening melee and is forced to return to his parents house only to find it being stripped bare by the servants of his parents. While later fleeing a chinese youth he comes across an American called Basie who is there to make a quick buck from whatever he can, while attempting to further ransack houses... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful