Reviews (27)

The Bald Magical Child
Perhaps the success of GHOSTBUSTERS was the inspiration for THE GOLDEN CHILD to mix comedy and horror fantasy. GHOSTBUSTERS had all the elements in perfect sync and THE GOLDEN CHILD is very uneven. Many of reviewers and moviegoers reaction to the movie was basically, to paraphrase many quotes, "Eddie Murphy was great and funny...but the story and plot was stupid!" It was reported that Eddie Murphy hated the out-of-country location shoots and it shows. His character, Chandler Jarrell is the reluctant hero who is a social worker and part time finder of missing children. Chandler is chosen (by divine providence) to find and save a magical child from kidnappers who are in the league with evil. There is an uncomfortable fantasy-supernatural, dream sequence that makes no sense in the context of the story. Also, in the final leg of the film, the stop-motion animated effects of a bat-winged demon and an actual "dragon lady" seems to be out of place and unexpected. The film takes its subject too seriously with Eddie Murphy winking at the audience. With his character's disbelief of the whole absurdity of the situation, maybe it was a tough sell for the audiences. Overall, a movie that showcases the early brilliance of Eddie Murphy but his comedy does not gel wit the rest of the film.

Hmmm
What an odd movie. Its a fantasy children's movie that thinks its a fantasy comedy. Murphy is completely lost at sea in this flick. As if he isn't entirely aware of what's going on or is trying to push the movie in a direction it just won't go in. His character and the movie seem to exist separately of each other. He plays his usual silly harmless likable guy and the rest of the movie is earnest kiddie sci-fi action.

Eddie Murphy shines
When this movie first came out, from what the critics had to say, and the trailors for it, I was not that impressed with the idea of spending money to see it. I was truly surprised when I finally did see it. It is not a visually enhanced movie, but you see a side of Eddie Murphy that is surprising and refreshing, his character is fairly polite, not too much on the 4 letter word band wagon, and actually shows compassion. I would say that he shows these same qualities in the Dr. Dolittle movies, but really... talking animals??? It is a heart warming story, protection of a childs life... see it and judge for yourself. I think you will be surprised and want to add this one to your collection!

for its time
for its time it was a great movie but it was just so cheesy compared to now it sucked.. lol so idk if u can watch the movie realizing they didnt have all the stuff then they do now it was a okay movie

Golden Balls
This film made a lot of money on its release, and i was not surprised: there was action comedy, and Charles Dance not pronouncing his "j"'s coupled with some special effects circa 1978. what more could it need?

And yet...for some reason, after watching this film, i felt somehow unfulfilled. Perhaps it was not explaining who the real bad guy was(i'm sorry, Forces Of Evil is not enough for me). Maybe it was the low low grade action. Maybe it was just the Forces of Evil surrounding me, but the truth is, i just couldn't bring myself to be able to like this film.

It is however not all bad, This is Eddie Murphy on vintage "Trading Places" style form, which is always worth the laugh, and there is one dream sequence which is so surreal its...well, surreal.

Despite this however, my suggestion would be to watch it on TV rather than buy it. it just aint worth the nuggets. ... Read more