Movie Review: The Golden Child (1986)

Genre: Fantasy Adventure  
Director: Michael Ritchie  
Starring: Eddie Murphy, Charles Dance, Charlotte Lewis, Victor Wong  

Running Time: 94 minutes  

Synopsis: In Tibet, satanic forces commanded by Sardo Numspa (Charles Dance) kidnap the Golden Child, who possesses magical powers and is the long awaited savior of humanity. In Los Angeles, Kee Nang (Charlotte Lewis) locates professional child finder Chandler Jarrell (Eddie Murphy) and informs him that he is the Chosen One tasked with rescuing the Golden Child. Although deeply skeptical, Chandler is drawn into the web of mystery and magic, setting up a confrontation with Sardo.
 

What Works Well: Charles Dance successfully dominates his scenes as the personification of evil. The relatively short running time ensures the action is efficiently hustled along with sustained energy, and although mostly silent, young J.L. Reate is endearing as the Golden Child.

What Does Not Work As Well: Eddie Murphy's brand of improvised and foul-mouthed contemporary humour never settles within a milieu of ancient cultures and cryptic beliefs. The script artificially force-feeds urban edginess and sarcasm into a grand story of good versus evil, leaving director Michael Ritchie flailing in search of narrative coherence. Most of the humour falls flat and serves to emphasize American obtuseness towards other cultures, while the generic synth music is just as contextually oblivious. The unconvincing romance fares no better, with Charlotte Lewis as Kee Nang having no business falling in love with Murphy's Chandler. 

Key Quote:

Chandler: The Chosen One. I'm the Chosen One. Why? Tibet? Why can't somebody choose me to go to the Bahamas? I got to get chosen to go to Tibet.

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