content rating:

PG

parental guidance advised

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Home Alone

Movie Facts

Release Year:

1990

Runtime:

105 minutes

Cast:

Macaulay Culkin

Joe Pesci

Daniel Stern

John Heard

Catherine O'Hara

John Candy

Director:

Chris Columbus

Producer:

John Hughes

Basic Plot

Accidentally forgotten by his family in a chaotic frenzy to catch a holiday flight, 8-year-old Kevin McCallister awakes to an empty house.  At first he is terrified to be alone, but then realizes he has just become "the man of the house".  After having some fun with his new-found status, Kevin gets down to everyday chores and even prepares for Christmas by trimming a tree he cut down himself.  Meanwhile, a couple of unsavory characters have been watching the McCallister home and making plans to break into the finest house in the neighborhood.  "That's the one Marv..." Harry, the ringleader, tells his partner.  "...that's the silver tuna."  Kevin overhears the bumbling duo and makes plans of his own to defend his home with a treacherous battery of booby traps and pitfalls.  

Review

This is one of our favorites!  It's ingenious, smart, funny and lovable.  Not being fans of most slapstick-based movies, we were unsure about even renting this one way back when.  But, as usual, when the holidays come around we're always looking for a new movie.  Admittedly, we didn't L-O-V-E it the first time we watched it.  The nuances are sometimes subtle.  But this movie grows on you...quickly.  The quirky characters are unique and well acted.  Macaulay is adorable and believable as the pint-sized hero.  But for us, the true laugh getter is Daniel Stern and his incredible scream that could make a mannequin giggle.

Overall rating

   (out of a possible 5 bubble lights)