The Golden Child Blu-ray Review

Paramount’s video presentation of "The Golden Child" on Blu-ray delivers an exceptional viewing experience that far surpasses previous DVD editions. The 1.85:1 framed AVC encode exhibits remarkable remastering, showcasing intricate details and vibrant colors. Paramount's efforts in transferring the film stock at 4K and preserving the material’s original grain result in a stunning picture quality that includes deep blacks, consistent shadow details, and rich color saturation. Bright golden hues and red tones are especially striking, adding a new level of visual depth to the film’s diverse settings, from the vibrant streets of LA to the shadowy landscapes of Nepal.

Despite some softer shots and occasional grain that appears a bit inorganic, the Blu-ray resolution of 1080p captures facial textures, clothing intricacies, and production design meticulously. There are minimal signs of wear or compression artifacts, ensuring a clean viewing experience. Scenes involving optical effects, such as Chandler’s vision of the Golden Child or blue screen work for Hell, reveal their age but these are minor distractions in an otherwise impressive transfer. Colors remain bold and true, reflecting an 80s aesthetic while highlighting the film's varied locations with steadiness and neutrality.

Overall, Paramount presents "The Golden Child" with a well-rounded palette and excellent detail retention. The encode offers a natural depth and sharpness to both light and dark scenes, enhancing the visual storytelling. Fine details flourish, from facial features to long shots and set designs, ensuring fans will appreciate this high-quality presentation that respects the film’s cinematography and artistic intent. With solid black levels and delightful skin tones, this Blu-ray is a must-have upgrade from any previous DVD release, providing a compelling reason for fans to revisit the charming adventure of "The Golden Child."

Paramount's 5.1 Dolby TrueHD track for "The Golden Child" is commendably immersive and rich in detail. The robust mix captures the film’s dynamic range effectively, with clear dialogues and ample bass that enhance the supernatural action scenes. The surround channels work diligently to create a well-rounded audio environment, while the 80s synth soundtrack, though not iconic, adds delightful nostalgia with its detailed presentation across the tonal spectrum. The overall soundstage maintains clarity and balance, ensuring a pleasurable listening experience.

The rear channels offer strong support, especially during action sequences where directional audio significantly enhances viewer engagement. Transitions are smooth, with effects like wind swirls and passing bikers seamlessly moving from front to back. Front soundstage splits during visuals provide accurate audio placement, and low-frequency effects punctuate action moments with satisfying rumble and depth. However, some elements, such as the fight sequence in chapter eight, occasionally fall flat, though these instances are infrequent and do not detract significantly from the overall experience. Dialogue reproduction remains clear and well-positioned throughout.

Special mention must be made to the atmospheric details which carry numerous scenes effectively. From the bustling streets of L.A. to the serene settings of Tibet, environmental sounds enrich the viewing experience. The dream sequence and climactic moments stand out for their pristine execution. The mix does not sound artificially enhanced for the release, lending authenticity to the film's audio. Overall, this is a highly satisfying presentation that honors the film’s legacy while delivering modern audio quality.

The Blu-ray release of "The Golden Child" offers a modest selection of extras, mainly comprised of vintage and retrospective interviews. These features provide a fascinating look into the making of the film, although they lack any newly-created content or commentary, likely due to the passing of director Michael Ritchie and the disinterest of key cast members like Eddie Murphy. The making-of featurette is split into two parts and contains thoughtful insights into the script, character details, production design, and stunt work. Overall, while the supplements are slim, they do manage to provide some enjoyable content for fans and those interested in the filmmaking process.

Extras included in this disc:

• The Making of The Golden Child: Split into two segments; "The Chosen Ones" focuses on the script and performances, while "Daggers, Design and Demons" delves into production elements and special effects.
• Theatrical Trailer: Presents a nostalgic look at the film's original promotion.

"The Golden Child," featuring Eddie Murphy as Chandler Jarrell, a private detective specialized in finding missing children, is an uneven yet nostalgic 1980s supernatural action-comedy that never quite finds its footing. The plot centers on Chandler's mission to rescue a gifted child with magical powers from the villainous Sardo Numspa (Charles Dance), guided by the mysterious Kee Nang (Charlotte Lewis). Original plans pieced the story as a noir-infused supernatural thriller, but studio-mandated reshoots led to an inconsistent patchwork of comedic and fantasy elements that fail to cohere.

Murphy's role marks a departure from his proven R-rated comedic triumphs like "Beverly Hills Cop," to a venture barely secured by his charisma and occasional comedic flair. The script’s hasty adjustments aimed to capitalize on Murphy’s star power, yet diluted the film’s potential, resulting in uneven tone and lackluster humor. Michael Ritchie's direction manages some highlights, particularly in Murphy's improvisational moments, yet falters in maintaining momentum across the fragmented narrative.

Despite less-than-stellar editing, clunky action sequences, and forced romance, "The Golden Child" possesses a kitschy charm that evokes nostalgia. Special effects, while primitive by today's standards, contribute to an endearing 80s aesthetic. The film oscillates between serious and comedic tones, ultimately burdened by its cultural insensitivity and clichéd plot. Charlotte Lewis offers a competent supporting performance, and Charles Dance impresses as the antagonist. However, their efforts rarely elevate the film beyond its flawed script and awkward pacing. "The Golden Child" remains a curious artifact of its era—neither among Murphy’s best nor his worst—offering modest entertainment value for fans of 80s cinema.

"The Golden Child" remains a polarizing entry in Eddie Murphy's filmography, often regarded as a lesser work amidst his 1980s hits. However, its recent Blu-ray release under the Paramount Presents line demonstrates a commendable technical effort. The video and audio quality are significantly improved, with an aspect ratio of 1.85:1 AVC and audio available in Dolby TrueHD 5.1 and several other languages. The presentation, both visually and sonically, is top-notch, showcasing the film in near-pristine quality which enhances the viewing experience. While the extras are limited to a single featurette and trailer, the unique packaging adds a touch of elegance to collectors' shelves.

Despite its shortcomings, such as inconsistent pacing and humor that may not resonate as well with modern audiences, "The Golden Child" does have its moments where Murphy's charisma shines through. The film’s high points offer glimpses of why Murphy was such a massive star during that era, even if the movie itself doesn't fully capitalize on his talents. For those who have fond memories from the 80s, this Blu-ray offers a nostalgic revisit that is well worth the attention due to the exceptional restoration quality.

Conclusion:

The Golden Child is the black sheep of early Eddie Murphy and for good reason. While I do love to rag on it, I am still glad that the film makes its way to Blu-ray after this many years, AND that Paramount gave it such great technical merits. The extras are more than a bit slim, but the audio and video are top-notch, and the slick packaging unique to the Paramount Presents lineup is a nice bonus. I can’t really recommend the film as a great movie, but it’s very nice to finally plug this Blu-ray hole in my Eddie Murphy collection and I’m sure many others feel the same way. Check it out for some 80s nostalgic vibes.

Recommendation: Check it Out