Review of The Golden Child (1986) by Johnny T — 09 Aug 2012

Not even Eddie Murphy's normal bag of tricks and tics can save this contrived and unconvincing film from self-destructing. An uneven and staid mystical bore that miscasts Murphy something fierce. There's nothing Golden about this neglected Child. It's hard to blame Ritchie, though. In Hollywood they almost force movie stars to become 600-pound gorillas, and there's every reason to believe Murphy has put on some avoirdupois. Needless to say, in any dispute between a journeyman director and Paramount's most bankable asset, there's no mistaking where the studio would stand. They'd rather see Murphy grow into what he has every intention of becoming -- the Sylvester Stallone of comedy. Worst of all, Ritchie has taken Dennis Feldman's script and turned what might have been a lovely fantasy -- about a man jaded by the sordidness of L.A. who renews his faith -- into a half-baked comedy without a heart. Nonetheless, this film -- insignificant and lightweight and monumentally silly -- is entertaining from beginning to end for Eddie Murphy fans.

RATING: "Not So Hot" - [Negative Reaction] These films are truly terrible films. They are not the worst things ever made, but they are definitely awful and should not be seen by anyone. (Films that are rated 1.5 or 2 stars).