New York Times
"...[EMPIRE OF THE SUN] seems to speak a language all its own....Great and small triumphs...steadily deliver[ed]..." 12/09/1987 p.C25New York Times
Included in the New York Times "10 Best Films of 1987" 12/27/1987 p.II, 23 Variety
"...[The] sweeping picture is studded by spectacular set pieces..." 12/02/1987 Premiere
"Malkovich walks a line between sentiment and grit in his relationship with the young Christian Bale, and brings it off." 09/01/2005 p.130 Uncut
5 stars out of 5 -- "[With] astounding performances from John Malkovich and a teenage Christian Bale. Essential." 03/01/2006 p.134 Sight and Sound
"The scenes in which the Japanese invade Shanghai and the English forlornly try to flee are handled with huge flair; but unusually for Speilberg, the performances and subtlety of his direction register equally strongly." 04/01/2006 p.88 | 
