The Golden Child

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Director: Michael Ritchie

Stars: Eddie Murphy, Charles Dance, Charlotte Lewis

Year: 1986 Running Time: 93 mins Rating:

Eddie Murphy does Indiana Jones in this enjoyable romp about a social worker (Murphy) who is hired to head for Tibet in search of "The Golden Child", a young saviour who has been charged with bringing peace to the world. However, he's got to deal with villainous Charles Dance first. Trivia: Murphy's role was originally offered to Mel Gibson who turned it down and the movie was changed from a drama into a comedy.

Review

This was much maligned but actually far more enjoyable than some more recent Eddie Murphy ventures.

The unashamed 'Indiana Jones'-style hokum casts Murphy as a child-finder called to Tibet to search for the child of the title, capable of bringing peace to Earth, but now kidnapped by evil forces.

Charles Dance will doubtless want to forget his role as the villain, but the proceedings are colourful, action-packed, inventive and punched along at powerhouse pace by director Michael Ritchie.

With his usually salty language restricted by the need to make a 'family' entertainment, Murphy is actually quite likeable in this one.