Grade: (B+)
Riding the success of the first film, this sequel provided a fun Christmas tale with all the heartwarming holiday moments you could ask for.
“HOME ALONE 2: LOST IN NEW YORK” takes place one year after the original as the McCallister’s are set to embark on yet another holiday vacation. This time luckily young Kevin (Culkin) doesn’t accidentally get left at home. Unfortunately he does mistakenly get on the wrong flight and finds himself spending another Christmas holiday by himself, this time, in New York City.
There was no denying the massive success of the first “Home Alone” film and since the recipe for success was already laid out for the film-makers, it was clear they did not venture far from the profitable formula. It did however give off a hinted lack of ambition as many aspects for the first film were simply reworked to make this sequel but it was still a great time.
The family was in Florida as opposed to Paris, Kevin was left alone in New York instead of his house, the character of the old man shoveling snow was replaced by the woman feeding the pigeons, the defense of his family home was replaced by Kevin needing to defend the toy store, and we could go on. It was also clear the script was trying to hit the same old punch-lines from the first movie. Yet, despite all this lack of ambition, the film is carried by Culkin once again and still turned out to be a very good holiday tale.
In the early 90’s Culkin was as hot as a child star could be, and with this film you could see why. Once again he was able to charm audiences and deliver a fun filled performance that will hold its place in time. The return of Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern was as entertaining as the first time, and the addition of Rob Schneider and Tim Curry as the hotel staff members paved the way for some highly entertaining scenes as well.
There were a collection of scenes and lines that clearly gave off the impression it was trying too hard, but then you remember this movie is more for kids, and the family. With that thought process, there were plenty of enough times where there was laughter drawn that still made the film fun to watch for all ages. The holiday theme of this film is what truly makes this a great watch, and a title you can put in your yearly holiday viewing rotation.
New York was perfect for the setting of the film, and the choice of locations and scene introductions that used nice sweeping aerial camera angles, are able to capture the season with greatness. Christmas can be felt throughout the film, and you can’t help but feel your holiday spirit being pulled to the surface as Kevin works his way around the landmark spots of Manhattan, all of course decked out with the usual festive decor.
The pace of the story-line was good and the characters in the hotel played by Schneider and Curry were easy able to deliver some laughs as the plot continued to built the final inevitable confrontation between Stern/Pesci and Culkin. In regards to the climax, like the first it delivered some laugh-out-loud moments as young Kevin has his way with them. Like his tarantula scene in the first film, Stern still delivered the biggest laughs in the film as he is doled out some serious pain by the always clever Kevin.
Overall this was a film that clearly went through the motions but with much of the cast returning, the holiday spirit this tale delivers, and a young Macaulay Culkin, this is easily a film that could be added to the holiday list, and like the first one is able to lift your spirits year round.
Time: 120 min
MPAA: PG (For comic action and mild language)