Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Christian Bale, John Malkovich and Miranda Richardson
Not many actors in Hollywood have made films with the detail of Christian Bale. Following his rise to fame in the 1980’s, Bale has become a strong icon. Whether it’s bold political leaders, troubled soldiers or caped crusaders, Bale has portrayed various characters. Arguably, Bale’s finest strength as an actor has often been his commitment to a craft. He is one of those rare actors which has always poured his heart and soul into every single role. Through his method acting, Bale has often created characters that are compelling. Although he is best known for his famous role as Batman in The Dark Knight trilogy, Bale has proven he can excel in making films in every genre. An actor with strong commitment to his craft, Bale has made unforgettable entertainment. Throughout his enduring career, Bale has produced many unforgettable movies that are absolutely worth talking about without a doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Bale and adore all the movies he has made in his career. However, “Empire of the Sun” is my favourite. Ever since its release in 1987, Steven Spielberg’s movie has stood a test of time as a classic. Packed with stunning production-design, engaging storytelling and exceptional acting, it’s one of the greatest war movies made. At the centre of it all is a strong performance by Christian Bale, who embodies a child witnessing a war with detail. Ultimately, what makes “Empire of the Sun” a magnificent war movie is appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with a history of the Japanese war to enjoy it. A mesmerizing masterpiece about a child in war, there are several strong reasons why “Empire of the Sun” is a commemorated war movie that is definitely without any doubt worth seeing.
Based on the iconic book, “Empire of the Sun” tells the story of a child that witnesses painful warfare destruction. Christian Bale plays Jim, a privileged English boy living in Shanghai. Jim has often enjoyed living in a Japanese city that has affected his identity. However, Jim’s life is drastically changed when he is sent to a prison camp causing disaster. Assisted by his friendly companion Basie (John Malkovich), Jim seeks to survive war that causes catastrophes. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Jim is forced to question whether it’s truly possible to survive warfare disaster. Facing obstacles that terrify, Jim questions lifelong love for the city of Shanghai.
Steven Spielberg has always been fascinated with the experiences of children. A legendary filmmaker, Spielberg has often made engaging movies about children that face disaster. His iconic film “ET: The Extra-Terrestrial” captured a child forming a strong bond with an alien in a doomed relationship facing catastrophe. With “Empire of the Sun”, however, Spielberg made his first adaptation. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to adapt a strong book about warfare tragedies but he succeeded immensely. Using stunning cinematography, Spielberg captures a child seeking to survive a war which causes adversity. Evoking Robert Mulligan’s “To Kill a Mockingbird”, Spielberg effectively uses point of view shots to capture hardships children in wars go through. For instance, the POV shots enhance the home invasion scene. During this unforgettable scene, Jim faces terror when his family home is invaded by Japanese soldiers in a disaster. Using POV shots, Spielberg honours a book about war that’s compelling. POV shots are complicated techniques. As Mary Harron’s “American Psycho” suggested, POV shots are suited to serial killer movies. Through stunning visuals, Spielberg captures hardships children in war are facing.
Another strong aspect of “Empire of the Sun” that deserves appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the best war movies ever made. Evoking Francis Ford Coppola’s “Apocalypse Now”, Spielberg effectively uses sounds to capture journeys of kids which are prisoners of war. For instance, sound design enhances the war scene. During this memorable scene, Jim discovers the harsh reality of warfare when he becomes a victim of an attack. Whether it’s the deafening gunfires or explosions, diegetic sounds capture painful hardships that children in war are often facing. Through stunning diegetic sounds, Spielberg crafts a portrait of warfare that is compelling. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. John Williams’ music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that child soldiers bear. Through captivating production-design, Spielberg captures the lives of children in war facing decline.
Storytelling is one of the central reasons why “Empire of the Sun” is a war movie which is engaging. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses scenes of silence to capture children facing warfare violence. For instance, silence enhances the farewell scene. During this heartbreaking scene, Jim bids emotional farewell towards his parents as he is sent to a grim prison camp. Through silence, Spielberg creates a portrait of war that audiences can easily relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in most movies. As David O. Russell’s “The Fighter” demonstrated, silence often enhances most boxing dramas. Gillian Armstrong’s “Little Women” demonstrated silence often elevates adaptations. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through a strong screenplay, Spielberg captures children in wars which experience a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Christian Bale delivers one of his best career performances as Jim. Bale earned praise for playing caped crusaders in comic-book films. With “Empire of the Sun”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a child that faces warfare catastrophe but Bale succeeded tremendously. In his first ever major leading role, Bale poured his heart and soul in a child facing warfare. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, strong and emotional in his most iconic role. With bold expressions, he captures angst, courage and resilience of a child facing warfare destruction. It’s an exceptional performance by one of the finest actors today.
While the movie is mainly a showcase for Bale, the supporting cast is also excellent and merits appreciations. John Malkovich is magnificent, capturing the struggles of an actor with a goal to accomplish. Miranda Richardson is superb, bridging tension to a woman that regrets her husband. Lastly, Nigel Havers is truly worthy of appreciation. As an aristocratic leader, he brings authority to the leader.
Finally, “Empire of the Sun” would earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing war destruction. Unlike most movies about the struggles of warfare, it tackles bold themes that everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes including anxiety, innocence and trauma which would resonate amongst everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be fans do have book to enjoy it. Therefore, Empire of the Sun” is one of those rare war movies that everyone. Therefore, “Empire of the Sun” is one of those rare war movies that everyone would adore.
Fans of Christian Bale will definitely recognize “Empire of the Sun” and so would audiences seeking educational entertainment. A mesmerizing war masterpiece, it honours an actor that’s inspiring.
Nearly 40 years following the release of a groundbreaking war movie about children surviving warfare destruction, it’s a dazzling reminder about a commemorated actor with strong dedication towards his craft that has made unforgettable movies throughout his impressive career which definitely deserve immense celebration.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 