Empire of the Sun

This is a good movie, and it is, overall, very moving. There is light violence as well as some kissing between a married couple. Death is present in this movie but is not particularly gruesome or violent. The reason why I took a star off for this movie is that it can be slightly confusing at times, but I would certainly recommend it!

3 stars common sense!?!? In my opinion, this is the best Spielberg film so far. A powerful film about a young boy who begins as a spoiled, arrogant monster and his journey through the war. Violence is minimal, we see war planes shoot and drop planes but these scenes are from afar and we don't see any blood or gore

I didn't like the movie very much, not too heavy, very light violence, very light drug use, and a quick kiss scenne.

This is a really great movie and it teaches your kids about what happened during that time. The violence is not bad in my opinion but it depends on the person

It was a fine movie and had some smoking and violence,many deaths explosions...Although I found it a bit boring in few parts an could bring difficulty to understand some scenes.It contains scenes that could be too much for sensitive audiences.I would recommend this movie for teens 13 and up.

This arresting tale of a spoiled boy in WW2 is intriguing and beautiful, a haunting, but breathtaking story of how a child paints a new, broken life as a life that no one could ever bear to understand. Separated by his parents and in a POW camp at a very young age, this boy turned young adult must learn to survive by his wits with a fraying end of his will, making his horrendous situation even tougher as the world around him is no longer the lavish and plush life he used to live. As he hardens, the war transforming him a cold, disheartened soul, from an innocent child who knew nothing of the world his parents pictured for him, he must learn to endure this new life that he persists, his reviving wake-up call, as the lingering sense of death trails his abandoned longing to return home. His fragmented heart, tossing out all the life his young mind imagined, bringing him a sense of his reality, a relished breakthrough, as this broken boy can stand for his silenced voice, his tattered and beaten heart will cry out, as he finally swallows his path for a redemption that no one could expect he would ever clasp and retrieve. This perilous and grim story will lure you and take you into the World of War that so many people had to endure. Your life, mind, heart, will never quite be the same after you see the extrodinary tale that this young boy will infringe permantely in your mind, his young mind lastingly, and constantly be forever imprinted in your weary heart, and your weary mind.

This beautifully shot movie is a great experience. Empire of the Sun is a classic true story that is great for families.

There is a scene in Spielberg’s film adaption of J. G. Ballard’s novel, Empire of the Sun, where an imprisoned boy by the name of Jim salutes and sings the heart-piercing "Suo Gân" to three Kamikaze pilots in their pre-flight ritual. This little airplane enthusiast has no care – more specifically, he doesn’t know – of the class and physical barriers that separated Japan and their captives. He respects and cares for all; everyone is equal in his innocent eyes. He salutes, befriends and surrenders to Japanese and American alike without a thought of wires or possible consequences, and everyone, even the brutal Japanese sergeant Nagata, enjoys his presence with a certain respect and adoration for him. Like the author J. G. Ballard’s own experiences, Jim, or James Graham (Christian Bale’s first major role that brought him into the limelight), lives in the untouched International Settlement in Shanghai before Japan invaded it, while his well-to-do parents keep him oblivious to the intense nature of the war raging outside the metal barricades of the settlement. When the Japanese do finally march in, Jim and his parents are separated by the great throngs of chaotic crowds. Jim now has to survive on his own until he runs into a strange, snobbish American, Basie, whom he persuades to protect him. The war moves on, and our characters are moved to the Soochow camp, but we don’t care as it makes no difference to unenlightened Jim. Spielberg definitely succeeds in creating movies on World War II, and like any other of them, the oppressors bring down numerous beatings, though Spielberg curbed it to a PG rating, and mild language is spit out in intense, emotional scenes. Though Jim loudly proclaims his atheistic faith, his beliefs are radically different. He talks about God and what he does, possibly a touch in order to appeal to Christian viewers. Throughout the movie, the tween-aged Jim often cries “I surrender” to anyone in a uniform, hoping to gain access to his parents or a guardian through that act. But I doubt little Jim understands that phrase, because, instead of a weak, fainthearted boy, we see one with a strong constitution and standing up to oppressors and respecting all (even the dead). Even in conditions so arduous and severe, his manners and respect last through the entire war, recognized by us and an admiring Basie who says, “You've got nice manners. I appreciate that.” Spielberg’s powerful use of the camera and Bale’s show-stopping performance emphasizes what man would do in harsh and demanding environments. On the other hand, Jim, scraping out a living through a complex network of theft and trade, lives unknowing to the motives behind the cruelties of the camp in his high world of airplanes. We follow Jim and his experiences like a close friend, but like everyone else, we can’t convince him of the real dangers and truths he is ignorant of. Unlike Jurassic Park, Spielberg enhances the original material, and touches it with emotion, friendships and an inspirational story.

This movie is somewhat historical but not much. Although it does have a great storyline there is some war violence such as beating, bombing, and explosions. This movie is not really violent but if your child gets emotionally disturbed very easily this would most likely would not be good for them. I saw this when I was young and it didn't disturb me at all I loved it actually. There is some smoking and drinking to.

There are some well-done scenes in this movie, but the all around acting isn't very well done. Characters seem to do some lines that bore me. The scenario, has some good portrayals, but ultimately, disappointing. Alright, so now, age. There are beatings in this movie, planes being struck down, and emotional moments of shooting, which were some of the parts of the movie that were on the better side. There also is kissing in bed which a boy sees. Look for some of the better war movies.