The Golden Child (1986)

User Rating:

5.4/10   

Director:

Michael Ritchie

Writer:

Dennis Feldman (written by)

Release Date:

12 December 1986 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Comedy | Fantasy | Mystery

Tagline:

Eddie Murphy Is The Chosen One

Plot:

A private detective specializing in missing children is charged with the task of finding a special child that dark forces want to eliminate.

Plot Keywords:

Demon | Detective | Chosen One | Mysticism | Mystic

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

J.L. Reate	...	The Golden Child
Eddie Murphy	...	Chandler Jarrell
Charles Dance	...	Sardo Numspa
Charlotte Lewis	...	Kee Nang
Victor Wong	...	The Old Man
Randall 'Tex' Cobb	...	Til
James Hong	...	Doctor Hong
Shakti	...	Kala
Tau Logo	...	Yu
Tiger Chung Lee	...	Khan
Pons Maar	...	Fu
Peter Kwong	...	Tommy Tong
Wally Taylor	...	Detective Boggs
Eric Douglas	...	Yellow Dragon
Charles Levin	...	TV Host

Runtime:

94 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Australia:PG (TV rating) | Netherlands:12 | Iceland:14 | South Korea:15 | Australia:M | Finland:K-14 | Ireland:12 | Sweden:15 | UK:PG | USA:PG-13 | West Germany:12 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Eddie Murphy Productions

Trivia:

Although the Golden Child is referred to as a boy throughout the film, the character was actually played by a girl.

Goofs:

Continuity: The level of the water in the glass during the quest changes between shots.

Quotes:

Kee Nang: We'll be there soon.
Chandler Jarrell: Yeah, well, ya' better have a spatula where we're goin' cause my ass is frozen to this yak.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "I Love the '80s Strikes Back" (2003)

Soundtrack:

WISDOM OF THE AGES

An enjoyable and amusing fantasy, well worth watching

I first saw this movie on television some years ago and frankly loved it. Charles Dance makes one of the most terrifying villains anyone can imagine. His sophistication is such a perfect contrast to the crudely good hero. I have never been much of an Eddie Murphy fan but find his irritating portrayal here a winner: a bit of "Axel Foley Through the Looking Glass". Charlotte Lewis is, to utilize a hackneyed phrase but the only one applicable, luminously gorgeous. Some scenes are wonderfully created: the dream sequence, the bird, the silly fight scenes, and the climactic confrontation. Through it all Murphy is the modern man suddenly dropped into an oriental myth, a stunned and quieter version of Kurt Russell in his oriental fantasy romp. Like that movie we have James Hong, the incomparable actor whose scenes, however short, raise the quality even of Derek. Since 1955 Hong has defined the fine supporting actor, the "class act" of his profession. "The Golden Child" is silly; it is not perfect; but it has so many redeeming features that it is an enjoyable and amusing fantasy, well worth watching. After four years I have seen "The Golden Child" again; I enjoyed it even more! It truly is great fun.