A beautiful, powerful and stunning cinematic masterpiece.

Rating: 10/10 (11 March 2003)

"Empire Of The Sun," is by far Spielberg's greatest achievement. I first experienced it when I was fifteen (when it came out, yes, I know I'm getting old). Since that time "Empire" has remained my favorite film. Sure, "Schindler's List" is certainly a great film, but that's more of a worthy document of a horrific time, rather than pure entertainment. "Empire" has everything...action, suspense, beauty, desperation, sadness. Not since this film have I been taken on such a journey. Christian Bale is amazing in his first film. Allen Daviau's photography is gorgeous ( I wish he and Spielberg would team up again). John William's score is at times hauntingly delicate and at other times soaring and grandiose. The elements really came together for "Empire." This film sputtered at the box office cause everyone got it confused with Oscar winner "The Last Emperor" and cause some reviewers failed to connect with it, BUT please take some movie addict advice and see this masterpiece. Hopefully it will stick with you as long as it has with me. In fact, if it weren't for this film, I may have never married...oh, yes it's her favorite film too. And if you enjoy it, consider seeing Keith Gordon's "A Midnight Clear," another beauty.