Empire of the Sun

Empire of the Sun is such a grand, successful blend of epic filmmaking and personal drama, it's hard to believe Steven Spielberg made it. [11 Dec 1987, p.G15]

With an edgy, intelligent script by playwright Tom Stoppard, Mr. Spielberg has made an extraordinary film out of Mr. Ballard's extraordinary war experience. [09 Dec 1987]

Spielberg's technical ability is very clear, with much to appreciate on close examination.

Empire of the Sun adds up to a promising idea, a carefully observed production and some interesting performances.

Empire of the Sun seems to end a half-dozen times -- always a bad sign. Its merits notwithstanding -- and Spielberg probably can't make a bad film -- in its own way this movie is as ego-heavy and ponderous as Ishtar. It's literary, all right. Empire of the Sun is a weighty tome indeed. [11 Dec 1987, p.D1]

For all its good intentions, for the thrillingly staged moments in the film's first quarter-for all the sweeping movement of thousands of people streaming through the streets of Shanghai-and for all its not-inconsiderable craft, the film's grave problem is a lack of central heating: We don't have a single character to warm up to.

Behind the trademark fancy package is a troubling sensibility, too. Spielberg seems unable to come to terms with anything real.

When this film was released in 1987 I couldn’t understand the negative reviews of a movie that was so intensely captivating. Christian Bale gave the best performance of any child actor I’ve ever seen. It was clear he is a great actor, and his career since then has proven that. I predicted that some day Empire would be re-evaluated and get the respect it truly deserves. That has come to pass.

my best child/teen movie, and is still in my top 10 movies what i seen in my life.

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

Steven Spielberg's lesser known wartime drama "Empire Of The Sun" brings the semi-autobiographical stylings of J.G. Ballard to the big-screen, with then up-and-comer Christian Bale doing the heavy lifting as the young protagonist who loses track of his family and subsequently succumbs to the harsh realities of human hardship. And, to be absolutely sure, Christian Bale commits to the role entirely, offering up an incredible performance for anyone, let alone that of someone at such a young age at the time. In fact, all of the acting is up to snuff. Where this movie falters, I find, is actually in that of one of its primary intentions. Part of the movie's aim is to really drive home the desperation and exhaustion on the part of the film's main character. In relating the devastation and pain at hand -- especially towards the end of the film -- the movie does this a bit too well, in my opinion, ultimately allowing things to dip in terms of entertainment value. Granted, this isn't necessarily a movie that's supposed to entertain you, but my engagement suffered nonetheless.

Spielberg se lance dans une sorte de grande épopée historique du côté du Soleil Levant, lequel vient vient d’envahir une bonne partie de la Chine… On y suit un gamin anglais pris dans la tourmente des évènements et incarné par… Christian Bale ! On y croise aussi John Malkovich et le moins connu mais très estimable Joe Pantoliano mais qu’importe… car le gros machin de Spielberg dépasse les deux heures et demi et se révèle à la fois aussi crédible et aussi palpitant qu’un épisode entier de Derrick qui viendrait d’épouser Julie Lescaut en apnée et sans pop-corn. Malgré les moyens déployés et sa mise en scène appliquée (mais très scolaire), le réalisateur américain bien connu qui a débuté dans les années 70 et qui semblait prometteur a régulièrement fait faux bond ! et ça ne s’est par arrangé avec le temps, bien au contraire. Cet « Empire du Soleil » en est un exemple particulièrement frappant et consternant avec son remplissage à bailler d’ennui, sa naïveté incurable et ses invraisemblances innombrables. Spielberg est sans conteste ce que le cinéma américain fait quasiment de pire et est au 7ème art ce que le MacDo est à la bonne bouffe : son « Empire du soleil » est un gros big mac qui vient de se suicider en sautant de la table, sur lequel on se fait une joie et un devoir de marcher dessus. Avec nos grosses rangeos du surplus américain.