In a dramatic atmosphere, this movie, revolves around the struggles of James Graham, a young smart British boy, who has been separated from his family during the Second World War and he faces many hardships to survive under the invasion of Japan.
This is derivative melodrama with Spielberg hedging his bets by ripping off his previous adventure films to lighten a story that cries out not to be turned into a comic book.
No special use is made of the talents of Miranda Richardson, Nigel Havers, Joe Pantoliano and the others, so it is up to young English thesp Bale to engage the viewer's interest, which he does superbly.
Empire of the Sun is a breathtaking movie in its scope and energy. It's just that, true to its childlike quality, this film is just a little too over-anxious to get its point across.
Now considered a trial run for the more moving, horrifying and involving Schindler's List, Steven Spielberg's drama, set in China during the Second World War, is a glossy and rather tame affair.
