A disconnected experience

Rating: 5/10 (1 March 2002)

"Empire of the Sun" is an awkward and uncomfortable film. Spielberg is usually very good at melding character interaction with the cinematography and music, but in "Empire," it's as if these elements are working against each other. Since all of the characters are at a distance, not fleshed out enough or both, it never seems like the sentimental direction or the evocative score are appropriate. What should be an expression of the characters' turmoil ends up feeling like obvious overcompensation. The best parts of the movie are the memorable visuals - the sparks flying from a WWII plane in particular - but like everything else in the film, the overbearing direction and music either dilutes the effect or feels out of place.