The Golden Child 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.0

The Golden Child 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

“Beverly Hills Cop” opened in theaters on December 7th, 1984. It topped the box office charts that weekend, and remained the number one movie in America for the next 12 weeks. After his previous triumphs in buddy comedies “48 Hrs.” and “Trading Places,” Eddie Murphy was suddenly the new king of Hollywood, handed a golden opportunity to do whatever he wanted. There was talk of a Murphy-assisted “Star Trek IV,” but the actor rested for a moment, building anticipation for his next move. And that career-defining choice was 1986’s “The Golden Child,” putting the young thespian in his own all-ages, PG-13 special effects vehicle, tasking him to carry a dark study of magic and demonic influence with his traditional fast-talking ways. Coming from “Cop,” “The Golden Child” is an extreme disappointment, watching Murphy visibly give up on the production as director Michael Ritchie (way outside of his comfort zone) tries to compete in a Spielberg/Lucas industry with a halfhearted, shockingly unfunny effort that battles to balance many tones as it slows to a crawl.

The Golden Child 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Screencaps are taken from the Blu-ray.

"The Golden Child" was originally issued on Blu-ray in 2020 by Paramount, and it returns with a UHD release from Vinegar Syndrome, listed as "presented in Dolby Vision HDR and newly restored from its 35mm original camera negative." The viewing experience is certainly unlike most Vinegar Syndrome releases, hinting that the label wasn't permitted to create a fresh scan, instead forced to use the flawed one from Paramount. Grain is particularly troublesome, lacking a natural, film-like appearance, and a few sequences deliver a smeary quality. Detail is mostly softer, struggling to find sharpness with big close-ups, though some level of texture is present at times, just not consistently so. Interiors offer a passable look at decorative additions. Exteriors supply mild depth. Color is acceptable, emphasizing the yellows and oranges of monastery life and the appearance of the eponymous character. Primaries are capable with period costuming and signage. Skin tones are natural. Blacks are reasonably deep, securing shadowy events and Murphy's leathery clothing choices. Highlights are tasteful. Source is in good condition.

The Golden Child 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix delivers clear dialogue exchanges, managing heavy accents and comedic sequences. Performance choices are easily identified throughout the listening event. Scoring supports with sharp synth and warm strings, maintaining crisp instrumentation. Musical moods carry into the surrounds, and atmospherics are appreciable, especially with fantasy encounters and echo-y rooms. Sound effects are distinct. Low-end has moments of power, handling violent attacks and heavier soundtrack beats.

The Golden Child 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Booklet contains essays by Walter Chaw, M.D. Rodrigues, and Chris Shields.

• Commentary features film historians Kelly Goodner and Jim Hemphill.

• "Throwing Elbows" (19:00, HD) is an interview with screenwriter Dennis Feldman, who approached Hollywood on a mission to create spec scripts for big stars during the 1980s. The interviewee delves into the genesis of "The Golden Child," inspired by detective novels, dreaming up his own take on the genre, catering to the demands of the studio system to help his chances in the marketplace. Using an opportunity to use "The Golden Child" to launch his directorial career, Feldman was rejected, watching Michael Ritchie accept the gig. The interviewee also recalls the star system with Eddie Murphy, who was often tardy and left to be himself for the feature, handling his rise in fame and power.

• "Master of a Lost Art" (15:05, HD) is an interview with go-motion supervisor Harry Walton, who details his childhood love of special effects, eventually making his way to Hollywood to make a career of it, even turning down "Star Wars" along the way. The interviewee explains the process of go-motion as a way to create more natural movement for specialized shots, besting traditional stop-motion work. He goes into great technical detail, highlighting work on three sequences from "The Golden Child." Walton closes with a mention of lost animation, including a shot meant to pay tribute to Walt Disney's "Fantasia."

• "Lover of Realism" (12:50, HD) is a video conference interview with legendary matte painter Caroleen "Jett" Green, who chose a more creative path for herself as a young child, developing her interests in school and through lessons. Working her way into Lucasfilm, Green faced competition from her colleagues, finding her way into the business through hard work. The interviewee identifies specific matte accomplishments in "The Golden Child," getting into the fine details of the testing and refinement process of the production.

• "The Demon I Wanted to Make" (12:00, HD) is an interview with demon designer and sculptor Randal Dutra, who began work with ILM on "Return of the Jedi," creating the Rancor monster for the feature. Joining "The Golden Child" soon after, Dutra was put to work making the demon form of Sardo, trying to add as much detail as possible to the creation. The interviewee also highlights his time with the go-motion puppets, getting into the mechanics and appearance of the monsters.

• "FX Man" (12:54, HD) is an interview with special effects artist Mark Noel, who recalls a small five-person team to create the fantasy elements of "The Golden Child," even recruiting his own son to help build a child-sized cage. The interviewee shares technical challenges from the shoot, dealing with mistakes and limitations, also sharing achievements to help sell the "ancient" highlights of the movie. Noel is a wonderfully animated subject, retaining an impressive memory for the fine details of destruction.

• "The Chosen Ones" (6:54, HD) is a collection of EPK interviews from "The Golden Child," with director Michael Ritchie, screenwriter Dennis Feldman, and actors Eddie Murphy, Charlotte Lewis, and Charles Dance. The interviewees are in car salesman mode (Murphy declares the writing as "the best script he's ever read"), but some production information is shared, including creative inspirations, character analysis, and on-set relationships, with Lewis making it clear she'd be happy to kiss Murphy for multiple takes.

• "Daggers, Design, and Demons" (6:43, HD) is a collection of EPK interviews about "The Golden Child," featuring conversations with producer Edward Feldman, production designer J. Michael Riva, director Michael Ritchie, and actors Eddie Murphy, Charles Dance, and Charlotte Lewis. The featurette explores the "heightened reality" of "The Golden Child," and its many creative accomplishments. This includes stunt work, with one brawler accidentally punching Murphy during a take, which wasn't used in the film.

• Interview (4:54, HD) is an excerpt from the documentary "Sense of Scale," returning to go-motion supervisor Harry Walton for a breakdown of special effects work on "The Golden Child."

• Image Gallery (2:23) collects poster art, film stills, and publicity shots.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:04, SD) is included.

The Golden Child 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"The Golden Child" is interesting to watch only to track the spirit drain from Murphy's body, going from a lively "Cop"-like detective opener to more fantasy and romantic elements the actor doesn't know how to play. The star often looks lost here, almost as much as Ritchie, who makes a basic attempt to juggle horror, magic, and mystery elements of the plot, but he's also attentive to Murphy's screen appeal, periodically stopping the movie to allow the actor to riff away in a vain attempt to land some jokes. "The Golden Child" stumbles frequently, and while it offers some inviting special effects to depict an underworld of evil, it's surprising to watch the picture flounder as much as it does. It's in desperate need of more consistent writing and a different creative approach, perhaps doing better as a genre film featuring Eddie Murphy instead of becoming an Eddie Murphy film with genre touches.