Growing up, I had this love for Christmas movies and one of them was Home Alone. This movie revolved around an eighth years old boy who was mistakenly left at home alone and he was left to defend his home from burglars on Christmas Eve.
Synopsis
The McCallister family were preparing to spend Christmas in Paris.
Kevin and his elder brother Buzz got into a fight during dinner, and accidentally ruined the family dinner. Kevin was sent to the attic of the house as punishment and there, he wishes that his family would disappear.
That night, there was a heavy wind that damaged the power lines, causing a power outage and resetting of their alarm clocks, causing the family to oversleep.
In the confusion and rush to get to the airport, Kevin was accidentally left behind.
Kevin woke up to find the house empty and thinking that his wish had come true, he was overjoyed with his new found freedom. Jumping on his parent’s bed, Buzz’s playboy, watching movies and destroying Buzz's shelf.
However, he soon becomes frightened by his next door neighbour, old man Marley, who is rumored to be a serial killer, who murdered his own family.
Harry and Marv, a pair of burglars who have been breaking into people homes in the neighborhood had targeted the McCallister's house. Harry and Marv were posing as cops at night to figure out whether the entire family had travelled, but Kevin tricked them into thinking that his family is still home, forcing them to put their plans on hold.
Kate, Kevin's mother realizes in the flight that Kevin was left behind, and upon arrival in Paris, the family discovered that no flight until two days time. Kate tried to call home but the phone lines were down. She called the police, who sent an officer home, but Kevin thinks it's the robbers again and hides under the bed and the police think no one is home.
Peter and the rest of the family stay in his brother's apartment in Paris, while Kate manages to get a fight back to the United States (Dallas), but she only gets as far as Scranton, Pennsylvania. She attempts to book a flight to Chicago, but again everything was booked.
Meanwhile, Harry and Marv finally realized that Kevin is home alone. They heard Peter's message on the answering machine in the house next door. That day Harry and Marv ran into Kevin while shopping and followed him.
Kevin started to miss his family and asks santa claus if he could bring back his family for Christmas. He went to church and watched a choir perform, then met old man Marley, who dispels the rumors about him. He point out his granddaughter in the choir whom he never gets to meet as he and his son are estranged. Kevin suggests he should reconcile with his son.
Kevin returned home and started preparing for the burglars after he overheard their plans to rob their home. Harry and Marv break in at 9 p.m. They sprung into action but we're met by the traps placed by Kevin and they suffered various injuries.
While the duo pursued Kevin around the house, he calls the police and flees, then lures Harry and Marv into a neighboring home which they previously broke into. They ambush him and prepare to get their revenge, but Marley intervenes and knocks them unconscious with his snow shovel. The police arrived and arrested them, having identified all the houses they broke into.
Kevin was disappointed on Christmas day that his family is still gone. He then hears someone enters the house and call his name and that was his mother Kate. They reconciled and the rest of the family joined them. Kevin was silent about the encounter he had with Harry and Marv but his father saw Harry's gold tooth on the floor. Old man Marley reunite with his son and family. Marley noticed Kevin and they wave at each other.
What I liked about the movie
I like how Kevin struggle to cope with being left alone in the house and his desire to protect his home. I also like the movie capturing the essence of holiday season, and conveying the importance of family, love, and togetherness during Christmas.
What I didn't like
I don't like the way the family behaved, though it seem unrealistic the family leaving their child behind and subsequently events, is extremely low. Kevin actions although creative and humorous, is reckless and irresponsible. Though the movie doesn't fully address the potential consequences of his behaviour.
I learnt from the movie that family issues should be resolved immediately and that we should be careful what we wish for or else, we just might get exactly what we asked for.
I rate this movie a 4/5 stars.
Thank you all for reading.
Images are screenshots.