There seems to be mixed reactions to the movie, one will say that it is garbage while another will say it is classic Eddie Murphy. This movie may not be typical of Eddie Murphy, being more a fantasy kung-fu romp like Big Trouble in Little China, but its special effects, and Murphy's charming character really makes this movie a treat. The first time I saw Golden Child, I wasn't really all that impressed, but now I have come to appreciate the charming wit that is Eddie Murphy, and the way that a man who is used to the mundane in thrown into the hidden fantasy world that the real world hides.
This movie has little to think about. It is purely an adventure movie. A perfectly good child is kidnapped by an evil wizard who plans on killing him so that the world may be plunged into eternal darkness. Eddie Murphy is the chosen one who must come along and save the child. The way Eddie Murphy acts though doesn't make him seem to be a chosen one, and his attitude makes an interesting contrast to the typical destiny driven character.
The good thing about this movie is the emphasis on the fact that the Golden Child has the power to raise somebody from the dead, so when the heroine dies we are not put off by the child coming along, touching her, and bringing her back. This does not constitute for a stupid Hollywood love must conquer all scene as is seen in Far and Away. We are shown the powers of the Child and thus our disbelief has been suspended.
This movie is shrouded in Americanised Chinese Mysticism. There is a mystic feeling to the movie but a lot of it has been Americanised to make it more interesting and appealing to audiences. The classic scene is the Chinese wise man who is little more that a greedy slob of a con artist. Murphy's reaction to this wise man taking $100 off of him really falls into place in the movie, especially with the line, "I'm going to paddle his little ass". Murphy is cool and so is this movie.
This movie has little to think about. It is purely an adventure movie. A perfectly good child is kidnapped by an evil wizard who plans on killing him so that the world may be plunged into eternal darkness. Eddie Murphy is the chosen one who must come along and save the child. The way Eddie Murphy acts though doesn't make him seem to be a chosen one, and his attitude makes an interesting contrast to the typical destiny driven character.
The good thing about this movie is the emphasis on the fact that the Golden Child has the power to raise somebody from the dead, so when the heroine dies we are not put off by the child coming along, touching her, and bringing her back. This does not constitute for a stupid Hollywood love must conquer all scene as is seen in Far and Away. We are shown the powers of the Child and thus our disbelief has been suspended.
This movie is shrouded in Americanised Chinese Mysticism. There is a mystic feeling to the movie but a lot of it has been Americanised to make it more interesting and appealing to audiences. The classic scene is the Chinese wise man who is little more that a greedy slob of a con artist. Murphy's reaction to this wise man taking $100 off of him really falls into place in the movie, especially with the line, "I'm going to paddle his little ass". Murphy is cool and so is this movie.