This is what you might call as Macaulay Culkin's farewell to childhood, or his life as a child actor, by making this movie, and then not appearing in another movie for 9 long years, and even in that period of time, there might have been plenty of fans that forgotten him until he made and released Party Monster in 2003, but that movie really doesn't have much to do this movie, and I bet even at the end of 1994, that people where saying and thinking that this would be Macaulay Culkin's last ever movie or even as a child actor, even through he reached the age of 14 on August 26th, 1994. The movie is Richie Rich, where you might also see two cent signs in place of the two c's in the title. At the beginning of the movie Ritchie Rich is born to Richard (Edward Herrmann) and Regina Rich (Christine Ebersole) , and then 12 years later it looks like he has everything, he has his own butler Herbert Cadbury (Jonathan Hyde), and is the richiest kid in the world, but where are his friends? Oh yeah, he doesn't have any, not like he is mean, his father saved a company from going out of busines, but can't be at the grand re-openning so he sends Richie who even spends time playing baseball, and spots local kids playing baseball, but because of his busy schedule he is not allowed to even join in the game. So he decicees that this is the missing part of his life. And along being the heir to his family riches, he even has a cool satellite-driven Dadlink, that is acomputer system, that tracks down Richard from wherever he is, so Richie can chat with him as he wishes too, when his Dad is out on the road. And there is family inventor Professor Keenbean (Michael McShane), who is apart of Richie's life, and is his teacher in chemistory class. But then his whole family including Richie is invited to tea and crimpits with the queen of England, and his Dad's own presonal advisor (John Larroquette), has had enough of his employer's philanthropic investments and charitable contributions, and he wants to get to thier hidden vault, so he decides to kill the family by placing a gift in thier airplane with a bomb, but when Richie looks upset, about his lastest go round trying to make friends, Cadbury asks his Mom's premisson to keep him home from the trip, so he can keep his busy with a schedule and she agrees, and then they take off, unaware of wait is waitng for them on the plane. Cadbury even manges to convince a kids that they saw play basbeall, and tried to make friends, but they turned him down the day before, to play with Richie, and well you should get where the movie is going from here, but please if oyu want to watch the movie, watch it to find out what happens next, and if you like any of the cast member,s that is good enough reason to watch this film.

This movie moved me. It moved me to tears. The story of Richard Rich is a tragic one. A child and raised without knowing a mother's embrace or a father's guidance. This young lad had his father's love replaced with diamonds and his mother's care replaced with duckets.
While it is true that the movie almost makes light of these facts, I was able to see past the pseudo front act that this movie puts out to see what the producer was really saying.
This movie is dramatic, painful, and at times, depressing. Between this and Shindler's List, I am not sure how we got out of the 90's!

Richie Rich is the world's poor little rich boy. He's the richest kid on Earth, but all he really wants are friends (well, he's got everything else). He spends his days living by a meticulous schedule that sometimes even includes filling in for his father at public appearances. His wealthy schoolmates are just as busy as he is and not quite as desperate to do "regular kid things" as Richie. While filling in for his father at a public event, however, Richie takes notice of some inner-city, street-wise kids playing baseball in a vacant lot nearby and makes an attempt to join in. They soon make it clear that he does not belong, and poor Richie goes home in despair. Seeing his disappointment, Richie's protective and caring butler, Cadbury, makes arrangements for the kids to come to the Rich family mansion and spend a day with the boy, much to Richie's joy and surprise! The gang of kids have a ball riding Richie's rollercoaster, trying out his kid-a-pult, and eating in his own, personal McDonald's. At the end of the day, Richie's new friends have accepted him as being just another regular kid, though they more than appreciate the benefits that come with his friendship. Still, feisty redhead Gloria, self-appointed leader of the bunch, makes it clear that they like Richie more for who he is than for all the neat stuff he has. Richie doesn't have much time to be happy about that, though. Word soon arrives that Richie's parents, benign but sometimes clueless Richard and Regina Rich, were victims of an assassination attempt and are now lost at sea and assumed dead. As the Riches survive in a life raft on Perrier and champagne, Richie is forced to take over the family company and keep it safe from malicious top executive Lawrence Van Dough, who planned the attack on Richie's parents in the first place. Luckily, with his new friends' help, Richie turns out to be a business whiz! Richie has to become even more assertive when Cadburry is framed and locked up for the murder of Richie's parents though. Some help from in-house inventor Professor Keenbean allows Richie to break Cadburry out, but matters become even more complicated when the Rich parents finally are rescued by the villainous Van Dough and his cronies themselves, purely so they can open the voice-activated lock on the family vault in Mt. Richmore. Now, Richie and his crew must prove their mettle and save Richie's parents and fortune from a criminal desperate to do anything to have it all!

After the wonderful holiday films "Home Alone" and "Home Alone 2" turned child-actor Macaulay Culkin into an instant superstar, he sadly seemed incapable of having another success. 1994's "Richie Rich" was just one example of several films the young actor made after his big Christmas hits that failed to strike a chord with movie going audiences or critics. Sadly, "Richie Rich" is really a great film. While not a perfect adaptation of the comic and cartoon (the villainous Van Dough is an adult exec here rather than a rotten cousin, Gloria is unfortunately a cute but street-sassy tomboy with a last-name change rather than Richie's sweet and femininely dressed girlfriend, and Irona the robot maid/bodyguard is nowhere to be seen until the direct to video "sequel"), the performances, particularly the adult ones, are fantastic, fun, well developed and well fleshed-out considering their cartoon origins, and easily carry the very basic cartoon plot. The humor and emotion is well-written, even if it's an age-old story of the rich kid who just wants friends. And, of course, the sights are the icing on the cake, from the kooky inventions of Professor Keenbean to the glorious Rich Family Estate (actually the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina), not to mention the world's only Dollarmation, Richie's dog, Dollar! The DVD is in widescreen and includes one Bonus Feature, which is the theatrical trailer. Hey, "Richie Rich" isn't rocket science, but it's a feast for the eyes and a fun family fantasy from beginning to end that brings back childhood memories of Saturday morning cartoons and Harvey comics, and with actors like Edward Herrmann, John Larroquette, and Jonathan Hyde in a live-action cartoon, you know you're in for a treat!

Ouch! We can add another batch of compost to the trash heap that is Macaulay Culkin's career. While he may have been somewhat entertaining in HOME ALONE, by the time RICHIE RICH was made, Culkin's lack of real depth is on full display. While I won't say that this is the worst kid's movie I have ever seen, it is definitely up there.

I agree with other reviewers that speak about the film's mixed messages. For example, we are supposed to believe that a man who has singlehandedly built an empire that could topple other nations is completely disinterested in money & wealth, choosing instead to lock up his memories in his secret vault and spend all of his time canoodling with his wife. Moreover, there is a problem surrounding Richie's dilemma. It is an old one: the rich kid with no friends. Richie just wants to play baseball like everyone else. The movie is, to a large extent, a resolution of that problem. What's the solution? Have your father build a baseball diamond in your backyard, furnish your friends with uniforms, and allow you all to have a ball (complete with an in-house umpire). The message: money can't buy you love. But, oh boy, does it help!

I remember really enjoying the cartoon while I was a kid, but this film fails to recreate the "feeling" of those comics. Instead, it exploits the few talents Culkin has and goes for the classic, boring family movie. Don't bother with RICHIE RICH. You're better off sticking to other gems in Culkin's trash-pile, such as HOME ALONE or HOME ALONE 2: LOST IN NEW YORK.

It's 1994, but for Macaulay Culkin's film career, it's a minute before midnight and the Governor won't be calling. Culkin's capital offense is the moronic Richie Rich. While the writing and directing help put this kidpic flat on the mat, it's Culkin's presence that beats it senseless. If you've got any compassion, you can only hope that Culkin's father didn't put all the money into internet stocks.

Richie Rich teaches us two lessons: 1) having 70 billion dollars is meaningless if you don't have friends and 2) having 70 billion dollars puts you in a pretty good position to get friends once you've learned Lesson 1. The message is: rich or poor, it's better to have money. This is, of course, a variant on the message kids got a couple of years ago from Beauty And The Beast-- namely, that outward appearances count for absolutely nothing, but since you've got to have one, it might as well be really buff.

Richie, the eponymous protagonist rendered unwatchable by Culkin, is, of course, the richest kid in the world, a Lucky Sperm Club Founding Member born of parents whose net worth totals the aforementioned outsize wad. Growing up, Richie gets the best of everything: aerobics classes with Claudia Schiffer, batting lessons from Reggie Jackson, and a private Air Force at his disposal that could kick, say, Italy's ass. He's even got his own Disney-sized amusement park and a McDonald's in his basement.

But is he happy? Of course not. What he really wants is to hang out with the scruffy, street-smart kids (one black, one white, one Hispanic, one Asian, one handicapped Native American jewish lesbian etc.) who play ball in the vacant lot next to the tool factory owned by his dad's company. The scruffy kids, though, want nothing to do with a child of privilege, or at least not one who wears a quart of Valvoline in his hair.
Richie's butler, who tempers his stiff British propriety with the emotional radar of a Seemingly Stiff British Butler Who Really Has A Big Heart, senses his young charge's longings and arranges for the scruffy kids to spend a day chez Rich. And at the end of the day, whaddaya know! They like Richie because of who he is, not because of what he has. They like him in spite of his world-class rollercoaster, not because of it---although they're not exactly begging Richie to come to their place for the next play date.

The rest of the insipid plot has Dad's evil lieutenant planning to blow up the Riches' private jet with them on it and sell the run-down tool factory, which is somehow the crown jewel in a 70 billion (with a "b") dollar empire. Young Richie spoils the fun by unexpectedly getting off the plane prior to takeoff. When his parents are assumed to be missing or dead, he takes control of the empire, which involves saving the tool factory, hiring all the scruffy kids, and getting his face on the front cover of every national magazine. Of course, Mom and Dad have miraculously survived the explosion with only some minor bruises and fractures. That leaves them in considerably better shape than the audience, which files a 70 billion dollar class action lawsuit against the producers charging reckless assault on intelligence. Count me in.

whatever happened to john laroquette? i remember he had that one movie. that was several years ago though. is he still alive? ah, who cares?

This movie is about the richest kid in the world who has everything but friends. As he learns to have a successful sociala life, a disloyal employee plots to kill him and his parents and take over the family business. With the help of his new friends, his faithful butler, Cadbury, and the inventor Professor Keenbean, Richie tries to locate his missing parents and save the family riches. The Professor provides many interesting gadgets, including a remote-controlled bee, a machine that makes bowling balls, and a sticky substance that is 1000 times as powerful as superglue.

I could go on forever! This movie was fantastic! Based on the populuar 1960's hanna-barbera cartoon. Me and my friend thought this would never beat the TV series. IT DID! If you had a race starting at Miami, Florida and ending at Seattle, Washington all the other movies would be one inch in Miami and Richie Rich the movie would already be in Seattle! Bottom Line: humor,tons of action,cool places this movie was unbeatable! other bottom line: If you dont like this movie I suggest a way stupider movie such as MR. MOM ?!
P.S. if you like the movie watch the cartoon series!

Some descent light entertainment, and great for kids.
This movie stars Macaulay Culkin as Richie Rich. The richest little boy in the world , in this movie adaptation of the famous comic book.

We see how he overcomes , with flying colours , his own struggle to make real friends , while defeating the wicked whiles of Lawrence Van Dough (John Larroquette - 'Night Court'. ) , to save his parents - Richard
And Regina Rich played by Edward Herrmann and Christine Ebersole.

Kudos must also go to Jonathan Hyde as Richie's ever-faithful butler, Herbert Cadbury , Micheal McShane as Professor Keenbean , and Stephi Lineburg as little Gloria , who we know from the comic books as Richie's 'girlfriend'.

This is a wonderful movie set on the magnificant Biltmore Estate in North Carolina. This is a must see

It is my opinion that this movie was well done. I thought the cast carried their parts with alacrity and I applaud them for that. I always enjoy seeing MacCaulay Culkin in a picture--he is such an effortless young actor and yet his talent is monumental. Edward Herman is a delight as always. No, I simply don't agree that this is a bad picture. Hurrah for Richie Rich!

This movie was a total flop at the box office, losing millions, and deserved to. I saw it in the theater, and walked out in the middle it was so bad. It had no laughs, it was bland and dull, and Culkin gives the LAZIEST performance ever! He looks like he's ready for his nap in every scene. He's constantly blinking his eyes and never speaks above a monotone. His career died with this movie, and never recovered.

RICHIE RICH is a very good movie, despite the low-box office sales. It's a great movie for both kids and parents to enjoy, though typically, kids would probably enjoy this more. Child-star (at the time this film was made) Macaulay Culkin plays Richie Rich, the son of the wealthiest man in the world. Since Richie is so wealthy, everybody thinks he has everything. But one thing he doesn't have is real friends. It's a comedy with lots of laughs and excitement. A perfect family film for a restful evening. Go and see it today!

If you have kids,I suggest you buy this movie.It has a good storyline, fun features,and wonderful acting.Trust me,you won't be disappointed.

A great film for kids.Better than the sequel

Richie is the richest boy in the world but he is missing 1 thing:friends.Meanwhile a badie tries to take the family's money.Richie and his new found friends save the day

I think this is really a cute movie for families. I like the contrast that is given between the "villain" and Richie's parents. After all, their true treasures WERE in that mountain vault, because they valued their sentimental family memories over material wealth. I believe that is a good message to send to kids, but very few Hollywood films portray that. Richie Rich shows a family who "has everything" with the real emphasis on the relationship between the family members, especially father and son.

I'm an adult and did not find this movie "unwatchable." In fact, I've seen it twice. I like the fact that is reasonably clean, too, and promotes good things like the fact that to Richie's parents the sentimental things are of greater value to them than the material things and that to Richie and his faithful valet having friends and treating them right is more important than all their wealth. This is one that I allow my kids to see and enjoy. Tons better than "Babe--Pig in the City" (although the first "Babe" was great!) Richie Rich promotes decent values of wealthy people who are generous with those less fortunate. And besides that, it's definitely cute and "watchable" for many. We must not always dismiss a clean, decent movie because we don't personally like it. We must allow for the various tastes of different people. I personally don't think "Shakespeare In Love" deserved even an Oscar Nomination, yet it won! Obviously we don't all think the same, so some of your friends and mine would enjoy Richie Rich, I'm sure!

If Richie Rich made this movie to make more money than by tomorrow he would be living in a cardboard box.This is probably one of the worst movies I have ever seen.Its so bad that it would make The Richest kid in the world vomit.A message to anyone reading this. Dont show it to Freinds!

a good and interesting comed

Richie Rich was a well ploted movie. It had a good cast & was well directed. The only problem is if you go from either reading to comics to watching the movie or from watching the movie to reading the comics you will find that there are very few things that are alike between them. For me that made the movie a little less enticing, but my little brother and sisters who haven't read the comics found the movie to be one of the best they have ever seen.