Richie Rich
Richie Rich
Richie Rich is the richest kid in the world. The one thing Richie doesn't have is friends. When his parents suddenly go missing, Richie hooks up with a group of kids who just might fill the void in his life, while helping save his folks.
Manuel Frangis reviewedMarch 17, 2025
I just watched Richie Rich, and I would give it a solid 3 out of 5 stars. This is one of those movies that is fun in a lighthearted way but does not do much beyond that. It has some charm, some laughs, and a classic 90s feel, but it is definitely aimed more at kids than anyone looking for a great comedy.
Macaulay Culkin plays Richie Rich, a kid who has everything money can buy. His house is massive, his toys are next level, and he even has his own personal staff catering to his every need. The idea of a kid being the richest person in the world is entertaining on its own, and the movie does a good job of showing just how ridiculous that lifestyle could be. The problem is that while the setup is great, the execution does not always hit the mark.
Culkin is fine in the role, but he does not bring the same charm and energy that made him such a standout in the Home Alone movies. He is likable enough, but he feels a little too stiff at times. The supporting cast is decent, with John Larroquette playing a villain that is as over the top as you would expect in a movie like this. The butler, played by Jonathan Hyde, is one of the more entertaining characters, bringing some much needed personality to the film.
The humor is very basic. There are some fun moments, but most of the jokes feel a little too safe and predictable. The movie leans heavily on the idea that Richie has everything but still just wants to be a normal kid, which is fine but does not do much to keep things interesting. There are a few fun action sequences, and the gadgets he has are creative, but overall, the movie never really takes any risks.
One of the best things about Richie Rich is its nostalgia factor. If you grew up watching movies from the 90s, this one definitely has that familiar feel. The sets are big and colorful, the characters are exaggerated, and everything is over the top in a way that makes it easy to watch. The problem is that it does not hold up as well as some other movies from the same era.
The pacing is a little uneven. Some parts feel too slow, while others move too quickly without giving enough time for anything to really develop. The movie jumps from one situation to another without much depth, which makes it feel more like a series of scenes rather than a fully developed story. The villain’s plot is also predictable, making the climax less exciting than it could have been.
This is not a bad movie, but it is not a great one either. It is fun for what it is, but it does not have much to offer beyond the surface level appeal of watching a kid with unlimited money go on adventures. If you are watching it for nostalgia, it is a fun throwback. If you are watching it for the first time, it might not leave much of an impression.
There are plenty of better family movies from the 90s, but Richie Rich is still an easy, harmless watch. It is not something I would rush to see again, but it is entertaining enough for a casual viewing.