One of the truly great War Epics

Rating: 9/10 (22 April 2019)

Well, it has been a few decades since I saw Empire of the Sun. I watched it in the theater, back in 1987, and I enjoyed it thoroughly. Now, decades have passed, and I decided to watch it once one more, to see if it stood the test of time. It does, and much more. The emotional core of this film is truly one of inspiration. I am so deeply moved by Jim's journey through the horrors of war, and the loss of his innosense. If ever a war film brought home the point of the futility of war, it is this one. Experiencing these events through the eyes of a child is a unique and moving experience. Separated from his parents and his previous life, touched me deep inside...more so now than ever, myself being a parent for many years...I have an entirely different perspective on the messages brought to light in this epic tale. Christian Bale's performance is perhaps the greatest of any child star that Ive ever seen, driving home an intelligence and longing far more profound than I could have expected. Perhaps Speilberg's talent in directing children was this films greatest asset, as his typical sentimentality really works on every emotional level. The final scene, when Jim is re-united with his parents, had me in tears in 1987, and again 2019. This is truly a rare gem of a film.