A must see for so many reasons!

Rating: 9/10 (5 January 2014)

I will try to limit the spoilers but I just don't think you can review this movie without mentioning a few of the most powerful images. The scene when young Jamie (played by the then 13 year old Christian Bale) separates from his parents in an unraveling Shanghai and then of course at the end when his parents find him make the movie on must see on their own. The time between, watching Jim (Jamie) evolve to deal with the surroundings he faces are incredibly well depicted by Bale despite is very young age.
The movie is uneven and frustrating. There are times you wish someone would behave in a way we could actually like them, but none of them do. There are characters we do not expect much from but Bazie is someone we hope finally sees the value of Jim and caring for him, but he is just too cynical to do what he should. It is certainly a part John Malkovich is born to play, but still I was hoping he might be different by the end of the movie.
The visuals are sensational, the sound first rate and the film making excellent, but still one never quite knows for sure what the purpose of the adulation for the Japanese was. They clearly were evil aggressors in their behavior to all of Asia - I think Spielberg was a bit too forgiving with regards to the Japanese. Still these are more minor complaints, the movie should be seen by all. This movie brings tears to me face EVERY time I see it. I cannot think of any other movie that does that with such regularity. I recommend it to all!