Empire Of The Sun

Karl Hungus

Finally got around to seeing this today. It's one of a dozen films I've got on DVD for ages and never watched. Don't ask me why, I guess it just happens sometimes.

I thought it was amazing. Maybe it's the fact that Spielberg's other WWII films, Schindler's List and Saving Private Ryan are generally more appreciated, but to be honest, I thought Empire was the best of the 3.

The preformance from a young Christian Bale is incredible, aswell as the rest of the cast, and it was odd seing Ben Stiller in a serious role, you'd barely recognise him.

Thoughts?

J.R.HARTLEY

agree completely loved the movie since i saw it a couple of years ago, young bale does a great job of carrying the movie

Vokes

Great film plus great performances by Bale and Malkovich.

And if you don't have a lump in your throat when Jim is reunited with his parents, then you are dead inside

Karl Hungus

SofaKing wrote:

Great film plus great performances by Bale and Malkovich.

And if you don't have a lump in your throat when Jim is reunited with his parents, then you are dead inside

Ah Malkovich was on top form. I find these days he's very much 'going through the motions' with a lot of roles, but in Empire (and that jewel theif movie) he really put himself into the character. He was a right cheeky rogue, especially when he was getting the first beating, and threw his shades to Jim.

A lot of scenes in the film had me teary eyed, especially where

Jim said "I can't remember what my parents look like."

Kingp35

I just bought this DVD today because im a bit of a Christian Bale fan and I love the book. We had to read it in school as part of our English course back in the day but I have never got around to watching the film. Gonna give it a go tonight.

Kur4mA

Amazing film, and most definitely a must see. I watched it again recently having not seen it since I was younger, and it was obvious even back then that Bale is a brilliant actor.

A lot of emotional moment in there. WATCH IT NOW!

cashback

Yeah it's a great film but haven't seen it in years. There's some especially great scenes such as when the military move into Shanghai and how the servants act towards Jim when their employers are gone.
I like the gag with the Hersheys bar and how it's repeated near the end.

SoupyNorman

What a film, its such a plaeasure to watch. Its unpretentious and under appreciated.

The bravery and resilliance of Christin Bales character is impressive.

Its the type of movie that would be on the 'telly' in the early afternoon and if it grabbed your attention for more than 3 minutes the viewer was glued to the thing!!! Its lengthy too.

Vokes

Karl Hungus wrote:

Ah Malkovich was on top form. I find these days he's very much 'going through the motions' with a lot of roles

Indeed, you need only look at what he's up to next - Eragon. Very depressing when compared to this role.

A lot of scenes in the film had me teary eyed, especially where

Jim said "I can't remember what my parents look like."

Yes, and this is sort've mirrored with his father at the end when

the father walks straight past Jim not recognising him, and then when the mother does recognise Jim, the father's reaction is heartbreaking - he just stands there in shock, unable to comprehend the fact that he could not recognize his son, and perhaps feeling guilty that he failed to protect him.

Karl Hungus

SofaKing wrote:

Indeed, you need only look at what he's up to next - Eragon. Very depressing when compared to this role.

Yeah, a lot of Fantasy adaptions are being milled out post-LOTR, and Malkovich seems like he's just 'Stereotypical Fantasy Villain #6'.

lostexpectation

Karl Hungus wrote:

Yeah, a lot of Fantasy adaptions are being milled out post-LOTR, and Malkovich seems like he's just 'Stereotypical Fantasy Villain #6'.

and jeremony irons too

Karl Hungus

lostexpectation wrote:

and jeremony irons too

Doesn't Jeremy Irons play one of the good guys in the film though? Or are you refering to his role in that Dungeons & Dragons film?

Vokes

The new end for the classic Spielberg film, Empire of the Sun; for it's 20th anniversary re-release next year, George Lucas was asked to alter the film. Here is an early look.

One of my favourite scenes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyMBJ6DSgSI

faceman

Excellent film. Its funny how you can chart films spielberg made throughout his career and get a feel for his emotions and ambitions at that time. His early films often depect characters that have an essence of spielberg about them. Even tho the film is based on a book, i could still get the spielberg nature of bale's character at times.

an excellent film, with one of my favourite tunes played. One overriding feeling I had though during and after was while Bale showed loads of talent he overacted a bit. not that im criticising him, put perhaps senior spielbergo could have toned him down just a tiny bit

Vokes

This is on tonight on Sky Movies 1 at 8pm, if anyone is interested. Well worth checking out.