The Golden Child

1986

The Golden Child

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

26%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 19

47%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 62,212

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Movie Info

Eddie Murphy followed up his Beverly Hills Cop success with this fantasy adventure that plops him right into the land of Ray Harryhausen and Indiana Jones. The plot revolves around a God-like youngster (J.L. Reate) known as a "golden child," who has been sent to Tibet to bring the gift of compassion to humanity. But the devil isn't idle, sending his emissary, Sardo Numspa (Charles Dance) to kidnap the golden child. Sardo absconds with the child and takes off to Los Angeles. In L.A., a beautiful Tibetan priestess named Kee Nang (Charlotte Lewis) seeks out Chandler Jarrell (Eddie Murphy), a social worker and self-styled "finder of lost children." She tells Chandler he has been chosen to rescue the magical child from the devil and save the world from evil. Before Chandler can let go of his first riposte, he finds himself holding a magic dagger, following a sacred parakeet, and under-going several trials by fire. He also falls in love with Kee Nang, who at one point in the film has to be brought back from the dead. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi
  • Rating:
    PG-13 (adult situations/language, violence)
  • Genre:
    Action & Adventure, Comedy, Cult Movies
  • Directed By:
    Michael Ritchie
  • Written By:
    Dennis Feldman
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Paramount Home Video

Cast

Eddie Murphy
as Chandler Jarrell
J.L. Reate
as The Golden Child
Charles Dance
as Sardo Numpsa
Charlotte Lewis
as Kee Nang
Victor Wong
as The Old Man
Randall "Tex" Cobb
as Til
James Hong
as Dr. Hong
Shakti
as Kala
Tau Logo
as Yu
Tiger Chung Lee
as Khan
Pons Maar
as Fu
Peter Kwong
as Tommy Tong
Kenneth "Fruity" Frith Jr.
as Friend at Pink's
Wally Taylor
as Det. Boggs
Eric Douglas
as Yellow Dragon
Charles Levin
as TV Host
Bennett Ohta
as Herb Shop Clerk
Chantara Nop
as Security Man #1
Bob Tzudiker
as Businessman Customer
Marilyn Schreffler
as Kala
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Critic Reviews for The Golden Child

All Critics (19) | Top Critics (2) | Fresh (5) | Rotten (14)

View All Critic Reviews (19)

Audience Reviews for The Golden Child

  • May 18, 2013
    Eddie Murphy is off on a wild and magical adventure in The Golden Child. The story follows an investigator who's recruited to find the Golden Child, a little boy with magical abilities who's been kidnapped by an agent of evil that plans to kill him. The plot's rather weak and is poorly told. And, the special effects are awful (even for the '80s). Additionally, Murphy doesn't seem right for the role; as he puts too much comedy into his performance. Still, The Golden Child is a fun adventure at times and delivers some laughs.
    Dann M Super Reviewer
  • Jun 19, 2011
    Funny but sometimes dull, But still one of Eddies Murphys best, Just missed the comedy touch and its dark ish tone didn't work.
    Jamie C Super Reviewer
  • Dec 17, 2010
    Eddie Murphy is a finder of lost and missing children who is approached by a mysterious Tibetan woman (Charlotte Lewis) and told that he is "The Chosen One" and that it is his destiny to find and rescue a Tibetan boy with mystical powers from a race of demons, lead by Charles Dance as the evil Sardo Numspa who wants to rule the world. The classic irony of Murphy does not fail, and the special effects are relatively good for a film of that 80's period.
    Deb S Super Reviewer
  • Oct 23, 2008
    I thought this movie was really good.
    Leigh R Super Reviewer
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