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Empire of the Sun

EMAIL PRINTWarner Bros. Pictures

9.7 User Score:

Mixed or average reviews

Based on 17 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 10 votes
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Movie Info

Genre(s): Drama | War

Written by: Tom Stoppard
J.G. Ballard (novel)

Directed by: Steven Spielberg

Release Date:
Theatrical: December 9, 1987
DVD: November 6, 2001

Running Time: 154 minutes, Color

Origin: USA

Summary

RATING: PG

Starring Christian Bale, John Malkovich, Miranda Richardson, Nigel Havers, and Joe Pantoliano

A youngster's harrowing and remarkable experiences in World War II-era China after the Japanese invasion. (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Also On Metacritic

FILM: A.I. Artificial Intelligence Amistad Catch Me If You Can E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade Jaws Jurassic Park Minority Report Munich Raiders of the Lost Ark Saving Private Ryan Schindler's List The Color Purple The Lost World: Jurassic Park The Terminal War of the Worlds

Also On The Web: Internet Movie Database View The Trailer Official Studio Site

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

TV Guide Staff (Not Credited)

As Jim, Bale delivers a stunning performance; he appears in virtually every frame and truly seems to grow over the course of the film from a coddled rich child to a calculating, almost feral creature who will ally himself with whoever wields the most power in a given situation.

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Wall Street Journal Julie Salamon

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]

Empire Darren Bignell

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

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The New York Times Janet Maslin

A visual splendor, a heroic adventurousness and an immense scope that make it unforgettable.

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Time Richard Corliss

Spielberg has energized each frame with allusive legerdemain and an intelligent density of images and emotions.

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ReelViews James Berardinelli

Empire of the Sun remains a solidly engaging story of heroism in the face of adversity, as filtered through the eyes of a boy obsessed with planes and flight.

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Variety Staff (Not Credited)

It is up to young English thesp Bale to engage the viewer's interest, which he does superbly.

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Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

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

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Boston Globe Jay Carr

Empire of the Sun is an imperfect film, but at its best it's grand and haunting in ways that only a movie can be. [11 Dec 1987]

Washington Post Hal Hinson

Though Empire of the Sun is a profoundly perplexing, frustrating object, there are things in it to marvel at and enjoy.

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Chicago Reader Jonathan Rosenbaum

The pseudomystical vagueness that seems to be Spielberg's stock-in-trade stifles most of the particularity of the source.

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Chicago Tribune Dave Kehr

The film is sober, serious-minded and paced like a funeral march. [11 Dec 1987]

Los Angeles Times Sheila Benson

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. [09 Dec 1987]

San Francisco Chronicle Judy Stone

Although he misses reaching to the heart of Jim's spirit and his relationship to other people, Spielberg has clearly taken an impressive step forward in shaping his new and adult vision for the screen. [11 Dec 1987]

The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Stephen Cole

Although Tom Stoppard's script lifts Ballard's spare dialogue directly from the page, the context in which it is placed is kitsch. [11 Dec 1987]

USA Today Mike Clark

A faithful, technically brilliant, but also dramatically malnourished film of J.G. Ballard's popular World War II novel. [08 Dec 1987]

Washington Post Desson Howe

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

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this movie is 9.7 (out of 10) based on 10 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Marina M gave it a10:
Gorgeous and touching. Definitely one of my all time favorite movies.

Bill M. gave it a10:
An awesome movie with a truly mesmirizing performance by Christian Bale.

Paul L. gave it a10:
Love this movie and a best world war 2 film ever yet. Don't know how critic respond to the film.

Karen S. gave it a10:
This movie is one of my all-time favorites. It is, indeed, "haunting: as the above person mentioned. Christian Bale's performance is amazing, especially given that he was just a child at the time. There is such depth to his character-what he says and doesn't say throughout the movie. I highly recommend this film.

Dvijen P. gave it a10:
I don't know what the stupid critics were talking about, that movie was awesome, another one of Speilburg's great works.

Eric R gave it a10:
This movie has haunted me for years as a solemn, heart-rending experience. Jim's reaction to the appearance of the P-51s and his final reunion are unforgettable. I can't think of anything NOT to like about this movie.