A Disappointing Continuation

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

It was one of my favourite family films of the 90s. I watched it several times, and still couldn't get bored of it. I mainly watched it because it was starring Culkin, and I'm a huge fan of him at Home Alone. Richie Rich is one of his few good movies, and it's really a good movie for the family if you ask me. I don't understand the criticism it gets because there's nothing much wrong with the movie. The plot is very simply to understand.

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 It's sad to see Culkin immediately withdrawn himself from the big screen after this movie, but I can understand, why.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.

This is definitely teen fare, but it's very entertaining which means adults would get a lot of laughs out of it. As with any comedy, some of the stuff is really stupid and some of it is really funny. Along the way, you get some of modern Hollywood's secular plugs and a few swear words that you wouldn't want your little ones to hear, but overall, I have little to criticize with this one.There were a number of sight gags, things that made me laugh out loud, such as dollar signs instead of spots on the dog, the dress-ware of the little rich kid (Macauley Culkin), the eccentric characters - good and bad guys - are all fun to watch.I thought Jonathan Hyde, as the butler, stole the show.

I know, "Richie Rich" is supposed to be more about making friends than about wealth, but it doesn't work. The whole thing about the cabal trying to seize his money was merely an excuse for what was basically a glorification of money. I think that there's a reason that Macaulay Culkin disappeared after this movie (although that was already coming). There are some clever lines - namely the Michael Jackson comment - but there are plenty of good movies out there, so there's NO REASON to waste your time on this. Also starring John Larroquette, Edward Herrmann, Christine Ebersole and Jonathan Hyde; they probably don't wish to include this on their resumes.