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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Murphy flick, May 9, 2002
Murphy was so popular before this flick came out, somebody wrote at the time, that he could survive if it flopped. "Golden Child" was a commercial disappointment and it did hurt him. To this day, I don't know why. Murphy is Chandler Jerroll - an LA-based PI with a flip attitude on anything. He's a hero of the city of angels, but he's no angel himself. In short, he is the "chosen one", the foretold hero destined to save the "golden child" from evil. While Jerroll searches LA for lost children, the enchanted golden child rises in spiritual purity in a snowy monastery in the Himalayas. The wicked forces of Sardo Numspar (Charles Dance) invade the monastery and, after overrunning the monks, spirit the boy away in a cage. The boy, it turns out, is one of a line of divine lamas upon whom the world rests, and whom evil must destroy. Dark Forces had already claimed other golden children. With the loss of the "bringer of justice", the death of another golden child will plunge the world into hell. Why Murphy is the "Chosen One" (and who's doing the choosing here?) are subjects the script keeps wisely away from. Instead, what we get is a deft mix of high adventure and comedy. It shouldn't work at all, but Murphy mugs on cue and can handle the preposterousness of the situation - a modern LA guy having to battle the forces of evil. The joke of the flick is that Eddie Murphy is the Chosen One - only a comically refined mind could effectively mix the fun and action like he does. Crude special effects aside, the fantasy mixes well with the comedy, and Murphy's light touch plays well off of the evil Numspar and Charlotte Lewis as Jerrol's love interest. This is simply an underappreciated classic.
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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Comic Adventure, March 23, 2006
"The Golden Child" is an interesting, fun and action packed comic/adventure with a touch of horror where Jarrel (Eddie Murphy) stars as the Chosen One. In this role, he has the "onerous" responsibility of finding the "Golden Child". The Golden Child is a Buddhist child with supernatural powers who was kidnapped by some evil villains and sorcerers. I first saw this film in the late 1980s and I loved it. I still enjoy watching it to this day, particularly the sarcastic humour typical of Eddie Murphy.
Eddie Murphy plays the reluctant hero, having been thrust into an unnatural and supernatural world of sorcery and mysticism. The Golden child, who is one in a line of divine Lamas and upon his compassion and grace the fate of the world rests, is a delightful and charming kid. The lady who identifies Eddie Murphy as the Chosen One is cute. Charles Dance, who plays as the wicked "Sardun Numspa", performs his role with expertise.
In this film, Eddie Murphy looks more serious than usual and the swearing and four letter words are much less. Eddie Murphy fans will enjoy his usual cute jokes. Viewers will also enjoy many visual appealing scenes.
This is one of Eddie Murphy's best movies. This amusing and mysterious movie is well worth watching. This is recommended viewing for those who love comedy and adventure and do not mind the weird and supernatural.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Solid Eddie Murphy Flick, December 31, 2005
Okay, I think the Amazon.com review was a bit harsh, but three stars is really all this film is truly worth. Is it one of Eddie Murphy's best? Heck no. DADDY DAYCARE had more depth to some extent. However, there is much to like in this film.
First, Murphy does his very best with a somewhat weak script and poor special effects. His dialogue interfaces with Victor Wong (the Old Man) are very funny. And the dream sequence with the splendid Charles Dance (as a very good Sardo Numspa) and Tex Cobb was well done.
Second, Charlotte Lewis looks great. I don't need acting, I need a hotty in the film. Check!
Third, "I, I, I, I got the knife..." Classic!
Fourth, it's simply fun camp. Sit back, don't take it seriously, and enjoy. The ending may be stupid as heck, but by then you won't care.
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