As an Amazon associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Thanks for your support!
×
Did you know that Blu-ray.com also is available for United Kingdom? Simply select the
flag icon to the right of the quick search at the top-middle.
[hide this message]
The Golden Child 4K Blu-ray offers solid video and great audio in this excellent Blu-ray release
A private detective specializing in missing children is charged with the task of finding a special child that dark forces want to eliminate.
For more about The Golden Child 4K and the The Golden Child 4K Blu-ray release, see the The Golden Child 4K Blu-ray Review published by Brian Orndorf on June 30, 2025 where this Blu-ray release scored 4.0 out of 5.
"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.
For additional information and analysis, please read Martin Liebman's 2020 Blu-ray review.
"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 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.
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.
"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.
For the week of July 28th, Walt Disney Home Entertainment will release Thunderbolts* on Blu-ray and 4K UHD. Other new releases include The Phoenician Scheme from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, Sissy from Shudder, Limbo (2023) from Brainstorm Media, The ...
Paramount Home Media Distribution will release on Blu-ray Michael Ritchie's comedy The Golden Child (1986), starring Eddie Murphy, J.L. Reate, Charles Dance, Charlotte Lewis, and Victor Wong. The release, which will be part of the studio's recently launched series ...
All countries
Argentina
Austria
Belgium
Brazil
Bulgaria
Chile
China
Colombia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Estonia
Denmark
Finland
Greece
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
Indonesia
Ireland
Israel
India
Latvia
Lithuania
Malaysia
New Zealand
Norway
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russia
Singapore
South Africa
South Korea
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Thailand
Turkey
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
flag icon to the right of the quick search at the top-middle.
[hide this message]
