Richie Rich

Alrighty, Culkin time! *slumps*

This is actually a movie that holds a few memories for me, I remember watching it long ago as a kid many times. Watching it back then I of course fully enjoyed it. But watching it again, I still do enjoy it for what it is, though my love for it is nowhere near as strong now.

The movie follows Richie Rich, the worlds richest child. Despite having more wealth than he knows what to do with, and anything and everything he could ever want (Including a roller coaster in his backyard) he's still quite lonely. It seems being rich doesn't buy you friends, even if his butler does try just that to some success.

One day, Richie finds that he enjoys playing baseball with some average kids in a back lot and after a bit of help from his butler manages to befriend them. Though I do wonder how much they were in it for all the fun stuff he has, more than they were in it for actually trying to be friends.

While all this is going on, the evil Van Dough plots to take over the Rich company. Unaware that Richie is not travelling with his parents, he blows up their plane as they are flying to England. Luckily though, the father's soft spot for sweets helps him discover the bomb before they can be killed and instead land in the ocean on the life raft.

Taking over for his father, Richie soon starts leading the company with a firm hand and helps to improve it in many areas. However, Van Dough soon manages to take the butler out of the way and takes over the parental rights of our hero. Things soon become war as Richie leads his friends in an effort to retake the mansion and oust the man. His parents and butler join in for the final fight on the small mountain behind their home which has their faces in a Mount Rushmore style. The day is soon saved and all is well again as Van Dough is carted off to jail and fired.

This film is probably one of Culkins best, save for the Home Alone's which are just a lot of fun. I think one thing that helps me enjoy this more is the fact that I have a soft spot for films from the 90's or perhaps just a guilty pleasure. A fairly decent film, despite any flaws it may have and regardless of the fact it would never win any awards. In the end it's just a fun film, though younger viewers may get a bigger kick out of it.