Richie Rich's Christmas Wish (1998)

Save your money for something good and enjoyable

I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

Richie Rich (David Gallagher) is the world's richest kid. He has his own personal "inventor", Professor Keanbean (Eugene Levy) who has just presented him with a terrific snowmobile! Also, the young man has Cadbury (Keene Curtis), a one-kid valet to help him with anything and everything. Lucky lad! On the down side, Richie has an evil, jealous cousin, Reggie Van Dough (Jake Richardson) who is as mean as Richie is nice. Keanbean now shows Richie a brand new gadget. While it looks like a washing machine, its actually a WISHING machine. On Xmas eve, Richie can make a wish! But, before that, Richie is extremely excited to drive a sleigh, filled with toys, to the local orphanage. Its the first time the boy has been allowed to be the driver. However, Reggie foils the plan for, using a universal remote, Reg makes Richie crash into buildings and, finally, lose the toys over a cliff, where they explode! Feeling awful, Richie uses his wishing machine to ask that he had never been born. It's so! His parents don't know him, nor do the town folk, but his loyal dog, Dollar does. As Reggie takes over the whole community, including Richie's parents (Martin Mull and Lesley Ann Warren), will Richie be able to take back the wish and set right the havoc that Reggie has wrought? This is a fun flick for families at Christmastime. Based on a Sixties series of comic books, Richie is an entertaining character, with a Dalmatian with dollar sign spots! All of the actors do a nice job and the production looks great, with nice sets, costumes, and art direction. The script and direction create a lively movie, with plenty of action and effects. No, this viewer didn't see the original Richie, with Macauley Culkin. But, after taking on this one, all one can wish for is MORE Richie films, someday, sometime.

This was a cute movie. I watched it with my family a couple Christmas's ago and thought it was good. It tries to teach lessons about giving and selflessness, but they are still subtle enough to children that they will be intrigued by it.The down side, I think, it how obviously fake some of the special effects are. But hey, it was made in 1998. You can't criticize it too much for that.I don't think it will ever be as big as "How the Grinch Stole Christmas", but it is a nice movie to watch with family to get you into the Christmas season.

The movie's only moderate but I like to show it to my kids. No violence, nice plot and captures the Christmas atmosphere. And David Gallagher definitely looks cute in ski bib overalls. I remember my youth every time I see this movie.

Yes. lets give RAVE reviews on how GREAT of a movie this is! YES! Come ON, i'd learn much more, be more entertained and gain a greater I.Q. by watching teletubbies AGAIN AGAIN AND AGAIN! People like this should stop making movies and have troubles looking at themselves in the mirror without being disgusted and ashamed of the great mistake they have done to mankind. STOP! before you hurt again.