Richie Rich

Cast: Macaulay Culkin, John Larroquette, Edward Herrmann, Christine Ebersole, Jonathon Hyde,
Michael McShane and Celcie Ross.

Director: Donald Petrie

Release Date: 1994

Running Time: 1hr 35

Genre: Comedy

Rating: PG

Format: Amazon Prime UK

Synopsis: 

Richie Rich (Macaulay Culkin) is the richest kid in the world, he has everything he wants, except companionship. While representing his father at a factory reopening, Richie see's a bunch of kids playing baseball, he wants to join in, unfortunately to them, he's just a spoilt rich kid. When Rich industries top executive Laurence Van Dough plots to kill the Rich family, Richie must take control of the family company with a help of a few new friends and save his parents.

Richie Rich (Culkin) is the richest kid in the world. Son of the richest man in the world Richard Rich (Edward Hermann), Richie has everything, except what he truly wants, friendship. Material possessions don't buy you happiness. His mother and father are always busy, attending business trips, phone calls with the President, they barely have any time for him. The Rich family are invited to London to see the Queen, however a bomb has been planted on their plane. Bad guy Lawrence Van-Dough wants the Rich fortune for himself. However there's a slight problem, Richie didn't get on the plane. After making some friends during a game of baseball, Richie must help and prove that his parents are alive.

The storyline sounds more aggressive then what it actually is. It's very lighthearted, not an ounce of violence. The device is initially mistaken for chocolates. Of course the movie wouldn't be good without a little bit of fun. In the midst of rescuing his parents, Richie introduces his friends to his dad's company and his mansion of fun. Roller-coasters, sling-shots, quad-bikes and Professor Keenbean. Starring "Home Alone's" finest Macaulay Culkin, as Richie, Culkin delivers a highly entertaining performance. Charismatic and smart. Culkin brings a lot of fun to his role as Richie. Johnathan Hyde is excellent as Richie's butler Herbert Cadbury. Posh and straight to the point, Hyde delivers a very good performance.

Michael McShane steals the show as Professor Keenbean. Hilariously funny, always finding himself in trouble. Every great family film comes with a bad guy, Lawrence Van-Dough, plays the notorious enemy to Richard Rich. Selfishly wanting the fortune for himself. Richie and his friends must prove to Cadbury that Lawrence is behind his parents plane crash. The friendship between Cadbury and Richie is excellent, it's authentic, genuine and warm. The production design is magnificent. If you were the richest kid in the world, what would you have? Richie has his own roller-caster, McDonalds, Jet Ski's and human sling-shot. The production designers really got creative when it came to making props for the film. Richie Rich's initials are on everything, it adds nicely to the storyline and to the tone of the film.

Award winning composer Alan Silverstri delivers a smashing soundtrack, that works fantastically with the storyline and the characters. It's bouncy, fun and lighthearted. Richie Rich is a family fun film. It's very tongue-in-cheek, very silly, easy going. Perfect for the whole family to sit down and watch.

5/5 stars