Quintessential Christmas Movie

Rating: Null/10 (22 November 2004)

"Home Alone" has been one of the most cherished and beloved Christmas movies since its release 14 years ago, and nearly every time it runs on television around the holidays, I feel obligated to watch it, to "get in the mood" for the yuletide season. This is a wonderful family comedy that everyone can enjoy, if they open their hearts and minds. Kevin McCallister is ungrateful towards his family, who treats him like he is invisible, and wakes up one morning to discover that he has "made his family disappear". Actually, his family unawaringly abandoned him when they hastily left to spend Christmas in Paris. This puts the clever, mischievous, and industrial Kevin in the position of being "home alone", and he plans to make the very best of this long desired vacation from his family- in jumping on the bed, watching obscene, violent movies, indulging in rotten food, and riding down the stairs in a sleigh- perhaps every child's dream come true. All is fun and games, that is, until he discovers two ominous crooks by the name of Harry and Marv, who deviously plot to steal from residents of Kevin's neighborhood, including his own house! Now this becomes a matter of out-witting and thwarting the two crooks through a series of clever, contrived traps and gags which will discourage Harry and Marve's criminal efforts and leave them with splitting headaches, sores throughout their bodies, and eventually, a pair of cold, steel handcuffs! This is such a wonderful, delightful premise, perfect for holiday viewing, regardless of age (admittedly, however, this film was better when I was very young, and even inspirational- this is how you stop "the bad guys"). It also contains some valuable morals, as Keven learns through his experiences and acquaintances in being "home alone": never wish for your family to disappear, for once they are gone, you will be praying for their return; don't prejudge others based on their appearances and "rumors": Kevin is at first petrified of a man who is believed to be a "shovel murderer", yet once he becomes acquainted with him, the man is harmless, genial, and kind; and finally, when you recognize a threat being posed to yourself and others, don't stand around, but take immediate action (of course, one cannot be nearly as devisive as Kevin in "Home Alone"), but you get the picture. "Home Alone" is a wonderful, clever, funny, and entertaining Christmas classic, featuring an enchanting musical score by John Williams, some hilarious, if inane, dialogue, a solid MacCauley Culkin performance (the finest of his career), and some very endearing qualities that always make this the quintessential Christmas watch. ***1/2 out of ****