Welcome to the ultimate Christmas movie. If you’ve somehow never seen it, pick up the DVD, set a couple of hours to one side, and sit down and enjoy. Home Alone is a must see.
This Chris Columbus-directed masterpiece soon became a massive hit, raking in nearly half a billion dollars at the Box Office, and made with a budget of only $18million.
It’s the film that made Macauley Culkin the childhood star to judge all other childhood stars by.
The plot – unspoilt
The McCallister family gather at the family home in Illinois the night before heading to Paris for the holidays, and young Kevin (Culkin) finds himself the butt of most family jokes and tormenting. By the end of the night he lands himself the punishment of sleeping alone in the attic, and before heading to bed, tells his Mum that he hopes his family disappear.
Due to leave early the next morning, an overnight storm knocks the power out in the neighbourhood. As a result all alarm clocks are reset and the family over sleep leading to an almighty rush to the airport. In the rush, Kevin is left home. Home alone.
By the time his parents realise, they are in the middle of their flight to Europe. Kevin awakes to find an empty house and makes the most of it, watching trash TV, eating junk food and sledging down the stairs.
All will not remain peaceful for Kevin though. Local crooks Harry and Marv, played by the outstanding Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern, set their sights on burgling the McCallister’s home – the dream home they have targeted for many years.
As the bungling criminals execute their plan, this classic movie comes in to its own, with laughs aplenty thanks to Kevin’s fiendish way of defending the house.
What we think
As Christmas films go, this is top-notch. Not to mention nostalgic, for those who are approaching, or past, 30 years of age.
Regarding our own ratings, this scores high on pretty much everything. The plot, at the time, was so refreshingly original and the cast is just top drawer. Daniel Stern, Joe Pesci, John Candy, Macaulay Culkin, John Heard, Catherine O’Hara…need we go on?
Then there is the soundtrack. It’s not Lion King, granted, but that cheeky, tingling, festive jingle that crops up several times including from the very start, it will rarely be bettered.
Utter class.