Today’s quick review: Home Alone. The black sheep of his family, eight-year-old Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) gets his Christmas wish when his family leaves on vacation without him. With the house to himself and no family to tell him what to do, Kevin takes the opportunity to have some fun. But when Harry (Joe Pesci) and Marv (Daniel Stern), a pair of burglars, set their sights on the McCallister house, it’s up to Kevin to defend his home.
Home Alone is a Christmas comedy about a boy left on his own for Christmas. Kevin must use his wits to fend off a pair of burglars determined to rob his house while his family is away. Home Alone is best known for its slapstick, thanks to the improvised traps Kevin sets up to beat Harry and Marv. But the movie’s appeal goes beyond physical comedy. Home Alone is an original, funny, and touching movie that earns its place as a modern Christmas classic.
Home Alone does an excellent job of showing the world through Kevin’s eyes. His frustration with his family, his elation at their disappearance, his fears, and his courage all shine through crystal clear. The stakes are low in objective terms, but they’re high to Kevin, and that’s what matters. Kevin’s growth, his relationship with his family, and his mother Kate’s (Catherine O’Hara) attempts to get back to him give the movie plenty of heart.
Home Alone builds on this solid foundation with excellent craftsmanship and a knack for humor. Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern deliver standout performances as Harry and Marv, petty criminals who are just the right mixture of menacing and bungling. Even before the slapstick kicks in, Home Alone captures the wonder, mischief, and all-around chaos that comes with being a kid in a large family. The icing on the cake is a memorable soundtrack by John Williams.
Give Home Alone a shot when you’re in the mood for some madcap fun. The movie’s original premise, punchy humor, and heartfelt themes make it a worthy pick for viewers of all ages. Those looking for a gentler Christmas movie should look elsewhere. For another Christmas movie with a wry sense of humor, check out A Christmas Story. For a teen comedy with a similar spirit of adventure, check out Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.
7.5 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it an 8.0 for a the right balance of slapstick and heart.