Ridiculously amazing classic Christmas film...apparently one of my favourites

Rating: 10/10 (3 December 2012)

When Home Alone released in 1990 I was about 12 so I was the perfect demographic and I loved it. I remember seeing it over and over again in the theatre. It was a HUGE runaway success and made Culkin one of the biggest stars in the world. I've probably seen the movie dozens of times but it has been a few years so I sat down to usher in the Christmas movie season with this one last night. My goodness, what a fantastic movie. I mean everything just works brilliantly for it to be a stone cold classic. Never mind the eventual battle against Marv and Harry which is hilarious with the quintessential gag and trap moments that had me howling out loud, but the overall story is sweet and touching and has so many layers to it. When you think Home Alone, you immediately think of the traps against the burglars but that doesn't even begin until 3/4 of the way through the movie. Everything just fits together perfectly from the cast to the scenery to the story and made me laugh out loud and even cry at the end. While I think it should be geared towards older children just because of some of the thematic elements, this is still a fantastic classic Holiday movie.
It is easy to see why Macaulay Culkin was compared to Shirley Temple. His on screen charisma is inexplicable and palpable. I say inexplicable because he honestly doesn't exactly deliver lines particularly well, even awkward at times but it matters absolutely none because he is perfect and adorable and charismatic. The casting only gets better. Joe Pesci who I always find overly dramatic and hyper is born for the role as the headstrong bossy robber Harry. Watching him get bested and beat up is legendary. Daniel Stern plays Pesci's sidekick and the bumbling robber perfectly. The two of them together could not be a better fit for their respective parts. This was sort of Stern's pinnacle and it is easy to see why. The supporting cast are all just amazing. John Heard, Catherine O'Hara, Devin Ratray, and Roberts Blossom all have such important roles and they are so terrific. Some are more subtle than others and they aren't necessary standout roles but they're fun and they work so well in the story. And of course the legendary John Candy makes a fun appearance in the story as well.
Chris Columbus is a legendary director. He goes under-appreciated I think but he has such a bold style and everything is colourful and the setting is always as important as his characters and Home Alone is just a perfect fit for him. Add in the brilliant talent of the amazing late John Hughes and you have an absolute film making power couple. Maybe I'm overstating the film because it certainly isn't an Academy Award quality film and I'm sure it isn't critically acclaimed but it is sweet and so much fun and I forgot how truly great it was. I could have literally put the movie back in and watched it again. Make this part of your holiday routine!! 10/10