The Golden Child Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Eddie Murphy’s a missing kids detective who finds out he’s the Chosen One to protect a magical kid from a British guy who really, really hates compassion, and also Pepsi.

🍿 The Golden Child: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Kidnapping

In Tibet, the Golden Child, a young boy with mystical powers, is kidnapped from his temple by the evil Sardo Numspa. Numspa seeks to corrupt the child and use his powers for darkness, threatening the balance between good and evil.

Enter Chandler Jarrell

In Los Angeles, Chandler Jarrell, a social worker specializing in finding missing children, is approached by Kee Nang, who informs him that he is ‘The Chosen One’ destined to rescue the Golden Child. Initially skeptical, Jarrell dismisses the claims as fantastical.

Investigating the Mystical

As Jarrell investigates, he encounters increasingly bizarre and mystical events, including a link to a murdered girl and evidence of demon worship. He begins to accept the reality of the supernatural and his role in protecting the Golden Child.

The Ajanti Dagger

Jarrell learns that the only weapon capable of defeating Sardo Numspa is the Ajanti Dagger, located in Tibet. He travels there with Kee Nang, facing dangerous trials to prove his worthiness and retrieve the dagger.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Chandler Jarrell (Eddie Murphy): A private detective specializing in missing children who is chosen to protect the Golden Child from evil forces.
• The Golden Child (J.L. Reate): A mystical child with special powers kidnapped by an evil sorcerer, destined to save humanity.
• Sardo Numspa (Charles Dance): The evil sorcerer who kidnaps the Golden Child in an attempt to eliminate goodness from the world.
• Kee Nang (Charlotte Lewis): A Tibetan priestess who seeks out Chandler Jarrell to help protect and rescue the Golden Child.
• The Old Goupa (Victor Wong): An old, wise mystic who guides and supports Chandler Jarrell on his quest.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Chandler Jarrell: “I want the knife, I want the boy, and I want out!” – Chandler firmly states his demands during the final confrontation with Sardo Numspa.
• Sardo Numspa: “You are the chosen one… to die!” – Sardo Numspa mocks Chandler, confident in his victory.
• Kee Nang: “If you touch his heart, there’s nothing he wouldn’t do for you.” – Kee Nang explains to the Old Goupa that Chandler can be brave and generous.
• Chandler Jarrell: “Would you get your monkey off my back?” – Chandler says this during the dream sequence to one of the henchman of Dance’s with a primate like face

💰Box Office

• Budget: $25,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $79,817,937
• Worldwide Gross: $79,817,937

💥 The Golden Child Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching ‘The Golden Child’ as a kid and being completely mesmerized. Eddie Murphy battling demons and a super-powered child wielding Pepsi cans like weapons? It was pure 80s gold! It may not hold up perfectly today, but it still brings a wave of nostalgia. The dream sequence with Sardo Numspa offering Chandler the child is both hilarious and bizarre. For me, it’s a fun, escapist adventure that I can always revisit.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of 80s action-comedy movies”
  • “Eddie Murphy fans”
  • “Viewers interested in films that blend fantasy with contemporary settings”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Demon worship themes”
  • “Occasional strong language”
  • “Some disturbing imagery”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “While not Murphy’s finest hour, ‘The Golden Child’ provides a decent blend of comedy, action, and supernatural elements. Dance delivers a chilling performance as the villain, elevating the film beyond typical 80s fare. The plot is predictable but entertaining.
• The New York Times: “Though marketed as a comedy, ‘The Golden Child’ struggles to balance humor with its darker fantasy elements. Murphy’s charm is undeniable, but the overall experience feels uneven, hampered by dated special effects and a formulaic storyline. It’s a good movie if you enjoy that sort of movie.
• RogerEbert.com: “”Though some critics may have been dismissive, I found The Golden Child to be a fun, creative, and original film. Murphy is as funny as ever and Charles Dance is a perfect villain. The fantasy elements are unique and the story is overall solid.”

Audience Reactions

Viewers loved Eddie Murphy’s trademark humor blended with supernatural elements.: Most audiences agree that the movie is a fun and imaginative ride, especially for those who appreciate 80s fantasy-comedies.

Fans enjoyed Charles Dance’s portrayal of the villain, Sardo Numspa.: Many praise Charles Dance’s performance as one of the most menacing and memorable aspects of the film.

Overall Consensus: While it may not be a cinematic masterpiece, ‘The Golden Child’ remains a fondly remembered 80s fantasy-comedy that showcases Eddie Murphy’s comedic talent and offers a unique blend of action and mysticism.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The Golden Child was originally conceived as a serious action film, but after Eddie Murphy was cast, it was rewritten as a comedy.”
• “The role of Kee Nang was initially offered to Kelly LeBrock, but she turned it down.”
• “During filming in Nepal, the crew had to deal with altitude sickness and difficult terrain.”
• “The special effects were cutting-edge for their time, created by Industrial Light & Magic (ILM).”
• “J.L. Reate, who played the Golden Child, is actually a girl. This fact was kept relatively quiet during the film’s release.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Golden Child?

The Golden Child is available for streaming on Paramount+ and can be rented or purchased through platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options. Availability may vary by region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Golden Child, you might like these similar films:

• Big Trouble in Little China (1986): Another action-comedy with mystical elements and a reluctant hero thrust into an otherworldly adventure.
• Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984): Shares the theme of Western protagonist encountering ancient mystical forces and protecting a child with special abilities.
• The Shadow (1994): A pulp-style adventure featuring a hero battling dark forces with mystical powers, from a later era.
• Highlander (1986): A cult classic with a blend of action, fantasy, and mythology, also released in 1986.

🛒 The Golden Child Related Products

• The Golden Child [Blu-ray]: High-definition Blu-ray release of the film, offering improved picture and sound quality for collectors and fans.
• 80s Movie Poster Pack – The Golden Child Included: A collection of classic 80s movie posters, including a vibrant reproduction of the poster for ‘The Golden Child’.
• Eddie Murphy: Raw [DVD]: A timeless comedic performance by Eddie Murphy, in his famous stand-up movie. See where all the comedy originated from.
• Funko Pop! Movies: Big Trouble in Little China – Egg Shen: While not directly ‘The Golden Child,’ Victor Wong’s iconic ‘Big Trouble in Little China’ character offers a cross-over appeal for fans of his similar role in The Golden Child.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Golden Child features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “The Best Man in the World” – performed by Ann Wilson
• “Body Talk” – performed by Ratty
• “Lonely Boy” – performed by Jackie Jackson

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Golden Boy – Bicycle Race

Remember that hilarious bicycle race scene in The Golden Child? Check out this clip with some awesome English dubbing. It’s pure 80s gold, you have to see it!

Highlander (1986) Retrospective / Review

Ever wondered if Highlander still holds up? Oliver Harper does a great job breaking down the movie’s strengths and weaknesses in this retrospective. I didn’t realize how many layers this movie had until watching this!

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