The Golden Child 1986 by AverageMansReviews
Review Time
Warning/Disclaimer: there flashing
effects/colourful/transformation/stabbing/shooting/references to sexual assault
and human trafficking/torturing/impaling/animal cruelty/burning. Disclaimer:
before I continue with this content I should point out some things; such as
this was the 1980s' so obviously it was a completely different world back then
and for those that lived through this time period we had this cultural
cohesiveness including the opposite of cultural stereotypes such as for an
example the original trilogy of the Karate Kid from 1984-1989 which incorporate
both cohesiveness and stereotypes. The reason why I am discussing this here;
this so that anything I say later in this content it is not meant as racial or
racism; it is just meant as it is without being negatively racial or/and
racism. You see at some point I will have to talk about the elephant in the
room, but I can't do that until I pointed out that; this is just the way it is.
Tibet: briefly; this child known as The Golden Child [J.L.
Reate:] she is incredibly powerful, he lives in this monastery with these
Shaolin monks, but unfortunately he is kidnapped by Sardo Numspa [Charles
Dance:] he is a powerful and mystical being which wants to kill The Golden
Child on behalf of his master; The Thing and The Dark Lord [voiced by Frank
Welker:] this entity that wants to destroy anything good. But there is only a
small selection of people standing in their way and just for two examples;
Chandler Jarrell/other characters and names [Eddie Murphy:] a child
investigator that unknown to him is also The Chosen One to be the saviour of
The Golden Child. But don't worry he won't be on his own; he will haveKee Nang
[Charlotte Lewis:] she is a martial artist and a daughter of Old Goupa [Victor
Wong:] he is a Shaolin monk, they both believe in this is prophecy and they
both this is speculation on my part, because I don't know they live at this
temple as well.
Generally speaking: the framework and pacing of this 94 minutes film is;
well is good as briefly Chandler Jarrell/other characters is just being himself
and what Murphy brings to the table; but then we go through this slump which it
takes time to find itself again that is for sure; basically it needs Murphy's
character Chandler Jarrell/other characters and names to be on board with what
is happening to him and to stop being in denial or sceptical of this situation
that lays be for him. Because after this takes place; it becomes a very Murphy
like characters and performance again; which from this era Murphy could either
carry a project or/and make a colossal impact, yes if you're wondering you do
get that high level of performance from Murphy you get that smooth,
enthusiastic and faultless timing of his comedy skills; such as briefly; he is
in a difficult situation and instead of being the standard even tough guy or
slightly frightened he goes with; giving this individual some advice of; I am
paraphrasing here. I have some tic-tacs on me, take as many as you want because
your breath smells.
Now
let's talk about the elephant in the room; this film is very similar to another
film of this year just a bit earlier in 1986 and it is a cult film; Big Trouble
in Little China Link https://averagemansreviews2017.blogspot.com/2021/03/big-trouble-in-little-china-1986-by.html in fact there are only months between them 02/07/1986 and
this film 12/12/1986 including we have some of the cast of both films working
on both of these films; James Hong as David Lo Pan/another character in this
film Dr. Hong: helping towards defeating the evil forces, Victor Wong as Egg Shen and in this film see above and then
Peter Kwong as Rain and in this film Tommy Tong: full disclosure again I can't
remember this character I just looked down the cast list. The reason why I was
away I was in the disclaimer section at the top was these two films are similar
as in they come from a background of fantasy cultural. I want to say this
before anyone else pointed out; one project is being led by Kurt Russell as
Jack Burton whilst this film is being led by Murphy that is all I am going to
say about that; I should just point out based on figures that are in front of
me; this project as in the one I am now dictating is the only one with any form
of profit margin again based on the figures that are in front of me; Big
Trouble in Little China has a loss of roughly double figures of millions [it is
difficult to say based on what is in front of me so if I say at least double
figures of millions it wouldn't be lying] likewise if I said the same for this
film The Golden Child but instead $100 million profit this wouldn't be a lie it
just wouldn't be an accurate truth/fact, so take that as you will.
But
back to this film; we have this small action/art sequence where The Golden
Child shows a little bit of his power as she turns this Pepsi can [I know
excellent product placement] into this dancing person made out of this Pepsi
can to entertain Til [Randall 'Tex' Cobb:] he is a and I don't mean this
disrespectfully; but simpleton servant to Sardo Numspa; which this sequence
uses stop motion and go motion; this is very imaginative and creative but Sardo
Numspa puts a stop to this sequence eventually.
Character
developments, performances and voice performances; they are all good and with
Murphy and Dance going head-to-head there is; excellent chemistry here between
hero and villain.
This film receives: 7/10, this film is good; considering it really does
take time to find its full stride of Murphy effect, this mark is after
everything is said and done a reasonable and satisfying outcome and I have
looked at both cast lists I just want to apologise if I don't think they have,
but if I have missed out anyone of which was on the cast list and I have missed
out. This film also has some awards accredited to its name; 2 Nominees Academy
of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA 1987 Saturn Award Best
Fantasy Film and Young Artist Award 1988 Young Artist Award Best Young Actress
in a Motion Picture - Drama J.L. Reate.
