User Reviews

Directed by Donald Petrie, 1994's 'Richie Rich' tells the story of a very rich young boy, named Richie Rich (Macaulay Culkin) whom finds out that his family is being targeted by a very extreme corporate takeover by Richie's father's business partner, greedy Laurence Van Dough (John Larroquette), who seeks to gain control of their empire, plunder their famed family vault and inherit their vast treasures. Left only, with his cunning and youth, and some help from his loyal butler/companion, Herbert Cadbury (Jonathan Hyde), Richie must try to find a way to stop Van Dough, in order to save his parents, Richard (Edward Herrmann) & Regina (Christine Ebersole)'s fortune. Without spoiling the movie, too much, this film is probably best known, today, as Culkin's final film as a child actor. It's sad to see Culkin immediately withdrawn himself from the big screen after this movie, but I can understand, why. First off, the movie bombed at the box office. Somewhat killing what was left of source material of the same name; by 1994, Harvey Comics was no more. Because of that, no studio wanted, Culkin as the main lead, anymore. Another was, puberty hitting Culkin really hard. The cracking of his voice, throughout this film, really shows that. Another problem, was the backstage conflict with his personal's family life. He just started, to sue his parents to remove them as legal guardians in control of his $17 million fortune. So, it really did strain, the actor during production. It really shows in his performance, as he somehow, made the charismatic, cocky, yet eccentric, Richie Rich from the comic book, into a dull, lonely, depressing and gloomy person. I get that, half of that problem, was, due to the awful writing, but it seem like, he was phoning it, in, at times. I would rather have the charming over the top, billionaire of the comics, over this watered down version, any day. At least, that version, he has friends. It's just so weird, to see, Richie Rich, without friends, here. It's not like, he's over-protective, too greedy, fearful, or condescending to others. So, what the hell!? It seems so out of place, that he would be that lonely. I get the fact that some rich people, might get really get lonely at the top, but you would think, he would had some friends on his own, or at least, some people that would act like, they were his friends. After all, some people always love to surround themselves with people with money. So, it doesn't make much sense. It's also funny, that the film has this, "Money can't buy friendship" sub-plot message, with Richie. However, that subplot quickly backfires, as one of the adults, bribed some local kids to become friends with Richie. I guess, money can indeed buy you, happiness. Anyways, most of Richie's so-call friends, were kinda boring. They were so generic and one-dimensional stereotypes. First off, you got the girl/love interest, Gloria Pazinski, (Stephi Lineburg) who is somewhat based off, Gloria Glad from the comics. Then, there is the token, black guy, Omar (Joel Robinson) who does nothing, but speak in slang and talk about the projects. Then, you got the wise-guy, Italian kid, Tony (Michael Maccarone) and the fat Hawaiian kid, Pee Wee (Jonathan Hilario). None of them, really seem, like they would, honestly hang out together, in any sort. Honestly, if you think, deep about it, most of these kids, doesn't seem to like Richie, besides his riches. It never really stated out, what makes them, want to continue to help, Richie, besides that. The only character that I found to honestly care about Richie, besides his parents was Cadbury. Cadbury's appearance here was so different from the comics and the 1980's Hanna-Barbera's cartoon version. In that version, a character of Irona the Robot Maid was given, more of a parent-like role, while, Cadbury serve, more like a background character. While, her presence in this film, would had help the story, greatly, due to the fact, it shows, how lonely, Richie is, when he has robot butlers, to take care of him than people. I get why, she was replaced by Hyde's character, story wise. Cadbury is the one that drives the story, forward, following the 'so-called' deaths of Richie's parents. Plus, Hyde does a wonderful job. Who knew, he has a comedy side? It's so cool to see him, here; not being typecast, as the evil, posh British guy, like he normally plays. Another factor is the fact, that the film is already, unrealistic enough with a kid being able to run a company and a Bond's Q, like inventor, Professor Keenbean (Mike McShane). Adding a walking talking robot to that mix, would be already too distracting. I'm already, having trouble, playing attention to the story, with all the celebrity cameos and produce placement, this movie has. Adding, one more badly done 1990's CGI robot would be, too much. The CGI in this film, is already badly dated. Despite that, the movie still has good action. The 1959's "North by Northwest" style climatic ending mixed with the 1990's 'Home Alone' antics was fun to watch. Also, the movie does have some funny moments. Mostly with Richie's parents. Even, John Larroquette was somewhat fun to watch, as the villain. I just wish the movie, stay true to the comics, and allow Van Dough to be Richie's uncle. It would had more stakes to the story. Also, the music by composter, Alan Silvestri was pretty awesome! I also, like the fact, most of the film was filmed entirely on location at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. In the end, overall: I kinda enjoyed this film, despite the over glamorous lifestyle of the 1%ers. It's not the best Richie Rich adaptation, out there, however, its beats the Christmas themed direct to video sequel, 1998's 'Richie Rich's Christmas Wish', and the 2015's TV Series of the same name, any day. So check it out, if you want to.

Macaulay Culkins's sweet, childish cuteness is at it's climax here, cause he was 14 when it was was released, so he was 13 1/2 when they were filming it. He seemed about as close to growing from boy to man as you can get, while still being a boy. His voice was deeper than in any of his movies back then, and on the verge of growing. The Rich's own $70,000,000,000, and Richie has his own Mcdonald's, extreme roller coaster, a diversion I forget what you call that launches you up in the air and lands you on a mattress, and four wheelers to name a few! Reggie Jackson is his baseball coach and Arnold is his fitness trainer! he has Herbert Cadberry, as his very likable and proper butler. Richie Miraculously possesses all this, while still being likable and not a brat. Mac may seem like a spoiled brat in real life, but I know he's a likable person, his parents just gave him it. he's not like Brad Renfro. Richie has class with a hilarious teacher played once again by Ben Stein, in the same way he plays the economics teacher that gave him his name, only funnier here. The only thing he doesn't have is friends. He meets some sandlot kids, which makes him yearn deeply for friends, so he becomes aqquainted with them. The kids include, the Mr. COOL kid, the overweight kid that eats a lot, the jock, and one that seems stuck-up and bossy until a little later. the villain is the industries top executive, Laurence Van Dough (John Larroquette) who arranges for Richie and his parents to be killed in a plane by a bomb, but Richie wasn't even in it, and his parents survive by floating on the inflatable boat. The action is great and goes on for a long time with violence and weapons, and Cadberry dresses up like a gangster, high tech spying, fatal suspense in the science lab, and a great climax on Mt. Richmore. Profanity, one damn, and one "s" word.

You know what, there was a lot to like in this movie. Generally, cartoons don't translate well to live action movies, but I'd say that this one wasn't too bad. Earlier in 1994 "The Flintstones" was a major flop, but that's because they diverged from the source material. "Richie Rich" stayed true to its cartoon roots.

Some of the aspects of it were inane, but I liked that Richie Rich desired friendship more than money and his money never made him an unbearable brat. I also liked that his parents were grounded and not morally ruined by their money. Finally, I appreciated that the working class kids readily accepted Richie as a friend without having ulterior motives.

I think it's easy to be critical of "Richie Rich," but I found it refreshing not to have the same old stereotypical characters. So, if it gets any bonus points, it gets bonus points for not using the same old tropes.

From director Donald Petrie (Mystic Pizza, Miss Congeniality), this is a film that probably got many kids saving their pocket money, I certainly wished I was rich. Basically Richie Rich (Razzie nominated Macaulay Culkin) is the richest kid in the world with unlimited wealth and everything he could ever want. There is one thing thing he doesn't have that he longs for, a normal life with some friends, but one day he sees some kids playing baseball and wants to join them, but they don't want him around. Richie manages to get them to like him however when he invites them to enjoy themselves to his mansion and all its luxuries, including a roller-coaster and a McDonald's restaurant. Meanwhile, Lawrence Van Dough (John Larroquette), the Rich family's executive is planning to kill the family and steal their fortune, so when Richie realises, he with his new friends and trusted English butler Herbert Arthur Runcible Cadbury (Jonathan Hyde) plan to stop him. Also starring Edward Herrmann as Richard Rich, Christine Ebersole as Regina Rich, Michael McShane as Professor Keenbean, Chelcie Ross as Ferguson, Mariangela Pino as Diane Pazinski, Stephi Lineburg as Gloria Pazinski, Michael Maccarone as Tony and Claudia Schiffer as Aerobics Instructor. It has its moments of slapstick for the kids, but it is nowhere as entertaining as Home Alone, especially with Culkin reaching the age of 14 and nearly an adolescent. Okay!