Keeneyedwatcher333

'ECHO 8' is quite an achievement in Australian independent filmmaking. In recent years the Australian film/tv industry has become increasingly focused on Dramas and Crime Stories. It's nice to see a film that steps out of the zeitgeist to challenge that. Despite a low budget, It's clear that a lot of passion was put into this film, everyone was committed to make the best film possible, and they did!

The directing duo and stars of 'ECHO 8' Maria Tran and Takashi Hara have created a tightly wound and well directed Martial Arts/Action film with hints of Psychological and Sci Fi themes.

Good stuff.

There Was a time when Eddie Murphy was one seriously funny guy, and this film is a good example of that, released in the fall of 1986 THE GOLDEN CHILD was met with mixed to mostly negative reviews (Then again Roger Ebert liked it) I really don't see why people didn't like this film, and to some extent it still to this day is considered a low point in eddies career, for those of you who haven't seen this film before/since i suggest giving it another watch with an open mind knowing that its a fantasy comedy and not your usual Eddie Murphy film (Probably the reason why people just didn't get into it)

The Plot concerns Eddie trying to find a kidnapped child who holds magical powers that can bring love and peace in the world or can bring chaos and destroy the world if the child were to be polluted with anything evil, and the people who kidnapped him want to sacrifice the child to gain and use his power for their own evil scheme.

PROS: Eddie Murphy is hilarious just playing the average Joe who cannot believe the situation around him, as things get crazier Eddie just gets funnier, Charles Dance as the main Villain does a Decent job at playing a Super Serious villain who seems to constantly keep pronouncing his J's Silent Which leads to a lot amusement when Eddie Murphy shares scenes with him. The Art Directiom is Splendid and the Cinematography is stunning (Especially with the scenes in Tibet) The Musical Score by Michael Colobier is so 80s but infectiously catchy Funk influenced Pop Rock that just makes you feel like a Bad A%$ The Film has a great supporting Cast Half of which appear in another similarly themed movie Called BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA And there's a handful of creative set pieces that really stand out (I.E) The Cave which Eddie must retrieve a dagger and a Hilarious Dream Sequence with Eddie and the villain.

CONS: The Final showdown with the Villain feels a little rushed and the Villain's final form isn't all that inspired And the Film's Visual FX don't hold up well in 2 or 3 scenes

But aside from that the Film is a lot of Fun, Eddie needs to release a special edition DVD/Blu Ray for this one, but according to some sources he's not too fond of this film (Honestly I don't see why, maybe because it was made at the height of his career and it burned him inside that it didn't do as well as it should have)

Overall: 7/10 "Not as good as Coming to America or Beverly Hills cop, but its not far behind and definitely better than anything Eddie made in the 90s onwards.

After Death Wish 4 in (1987) many people thought that was the end of the Death Wish series, But 7 years later Charles Bronson returned for one final Sequel, Frankly i wish it hadn't been made and heres why.

Lets begin with the plot, The Plot involves Paul Kersey (Charles Bronson) Now living the quiet life with his new wife Olivia (Lesley Ann Down)who runs a fashion trade, and her previous husband was a psychotic mob leader. Everything seems to be going good for kersey and his new wife until, Olivia's ex-husband Tommy O'Shea (Michael Parks)returns to muscle in on her fashion trade, and after seeing her with Kersey he gets a bit jealous and decides to disfigure her, of course this Angers Kersey and once again he decides to pull out his guns and get the bad guys.

CONS: OK, first things first, This film came way too late, Charles Bronson was 73 years old when he made this film & It's Really hard to buy Bronson at 73 taking on A bunch Bad Guys In his old age, Not only that, his wife in the movie is like half his age and I really cannot believe she married him, I mean seriously, she is rich and famous in the fashion trade and she can have any man she wants and she chooses a 73 year old man, Its a bit Unusual if you ask me, and another thing is there is not much excitement in this film I never felt involved in the action or drama scenes because it's acted half heartedly, For me the film doesn't seem to get you involved.

PROS: Now I complained about Bronson being too old to play Mr.Vigilante again, Because Lets face it by 73 years old he should be having problems handling bad guys half his age, which would've been an interesting approach to the film, but no they tried to make it seem like he was in his 40s again, which at this point was silly, But to be fair From a Performance Standpoint Bronson really does well, He still seems fit, and has no problems doing the action and it's amazing to see him in great physical condition, Also the Main Villain is really ruthless, Michael Parks really does a good job playing the laid back mobster who could snap at any moment when pushed, and the ending fight between Him and Kersey is pretty cool, and of course there are some funny one liners from both Kersey and O'Shea.

OVERALL: 4/10 While it has it's Moments, It really Doesn't work, Bronson is Exceedingly old to buy as an action man, and overall the film fails to get you involved, It's worth a rental but not worth Buying.

TRIVIA: Believe it or not there was plans for another sequel without Charles Bronson entitled DEATH WISH 6: The New Vigilante, Would've been Interesting to see what they would've done with it.