A Hughes-Columbus Christmas Classic

Rating: 7/10 (25 December 2006)

After being accidentally left home alone by his family, Kevin McAllister (Macaulay Culkin) must defend his residence from the Wet Bandits (Daniel Stern and Joe Pesci), who are for some reason obsessed with the idea of hurting the little boy and stealing useless knick-knacks.
This film is a legend and a classic. Released in 1990, it captures both the more serious 1990s with the fun 1980s. Two 1980s masters come together to film this one: John Hughes as writer ("Sixteen Candles", "Pretty in Pink", "The Breakfast Club") and Chris Columbus as director ("Adventures in Babysitting"). This makes for the perfect blend in young adult situation comedy.
This is the film that launched Macaulay Culkin's career. While he had previously appeared in "Jacob's Ladder" and "Uncle Buck", this was (and remains) his biggest and most cherished role. I would find it safe to say no film since has really captured the essence of Macaulay. While "Saved" and "Party Monster" are both (possibly) equally as good movies, they do not have the mass appeal of "Home Alone".
What is best about the film is its sense of fun. The plot really makes little sense. How does a family not notice they have an extra plane ticket or that a sibling is missing? Why would burglars break into a house where they can be identified? How can Joe Pesci get beat up relentlessly and not curse once? Is it possible to not have a single friend, family member or neighbor in all of Chicago? The "Scream" joke was used too much (four times). At least one, and probably two, instances could have been removed. Do we need to see a little boy twice getting burned by aftershave? Of course not. The repeated use of the "keep the change you filthy animal" joke seemed to work very well, though, strangely enough.
Overall, this is a great Christmas movie. Along with "Die Hard" this is one you really need to make sure you watch around the holidays, at least once. If you have never seen "Home Alone" you are one of five people on earth or something... it was a huge success. With good reason. So see it.