Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

Our family went up to Calgary for a vacation in a hotel one year in the early 90's and we ordered this movie to watch in our room. It was the perfect way to first see this show. As a kid, I felt it was better than the original and I still have a lot of fun watching the movie as an adult. In creating a sequel, a filmmaker must ride a fine line because audiences want a similar experience as they had the last time but you can't have things be exactly the same. You must do something new. It seems like everyone involved in front of and behind the camera came back to make "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York" and they did a good job. Unfortunately, the inherent loss of originality causes some appeal to be lost. I admit that the movie is not perfect but its entertainment value is what counts for me. The movie is funny, introduces new characters and feels quite Christmassy. It appeals more to kids however than to parents unlike the first movie which was fun for the whole family. It was either "Ghostbusters" or this film that was my first glimpse of New York City as a child.

A kid getting lost from his family is a well-used movie storyline. Even "An American Tail" is set in NYC. John Hughes made this popular story motif worth seeing again by applying it to the characters he created for "Home Alone". Speaking of the story pattern, it is almost a clone to that of the first film. Smart people may not be as entertained by "Home Alone 2" as a result because it is predictable. I would like to point out one huge plot hole to start this review off. Are you telling me that Kate and Peter have the only alarm clock in that huge house? Taking out one alarm clock would not make the whole family late again. The Talkboy becomes a very important part of the movie's story and is very appealing for kids. It was for me. I remember how popular of a prop it was back in the day because thanks to this movie, Talkboys became a real thing. I am grateful that the McCallister family conflict this time is much less negative than last year's. Also, Buzz doesn't completely get away with his prank on Kevin. Although, he knows how to fake an apology because he is older than Kevin. Another great improvement is the last conversation Kevin has with his mom in the attic. Kate is much more patient with her son this time and that is nice. Kevin doesn't hate his family like last time but he wants another break from them. He values Christmas more than anything though, which is why he is ready to leave in the morning. He makes it clear at the airport that he wants to be with his family at Christmas. He may be upset with his family but not at the expense of being without them for the holidays on purpose. I love how the statue in front of house isn't safe in this movie either. The "We did it again" moment is pretty funny too. Director Chris Columbus replicates the shot of the family rushing to get ready but this time, the film speed is not sped up. Buzz sliding on the floor is probably the reason why. I also love how Columbus teases us into thinking that Kevin is being left home alone again. The reveal of him in the front seat of the van was perfectly handled. Back when I first saw this movie, a kid getting on the wrong plane was more plausible than being left home alone. The kids are not sitting together on the plane and Kevin mistakes a stranger for his dad because they are wearing the same coat. Kevin sits next to a French guy on the plane and is listening to music during the announcement of flight destination. Once again, all things go wrong at once in a believable way thanks to Columbus' direction even though it is less believable than the last time in hindsight. Also, air travel has changed a lot since this film came out. When filming the first movie in Chicago O'Hare International Airport, the filmmakers were able to film amidst actual travellers. For this sequel, the cast and crew found it much harder because of the popularity of the first film. Because of the family argument and because he has his dad's wallet, Kevin has all the motivation he needs to take advantage of this accident and stay alone in New York. I like the scene when the family finds out that Kevin is missing. Peter is the first to have his mind click and humorously is in disbelief that his wife doesn't know what she is saying. Kate also realizes the irony and takes a moment to laugh about it before freaking out. One great part about "Home Alone 2" is that we get to see all of Manhattan without overshadowing the film's story. The opening montage works for example because Kevin is a tourist and we see the Big Apple through a kid's eyes. The shots of the World Trade Center of course have a different subtext nowadays. The first one from on the ground is a little eerie because of the horror that would later happen at that exact spot.

I sort of get a kick out of Kevin's parents joking that they lose Kevin but never their luggage. Knowing that Kevin can take care of himself, the family appears to be more worried that trouble will find him and they are right to be concerned. It wouldn't be a "Home Alone" Christmas without the Wet Bandits. It does make sense that they wouldn't stay in Chicago after breaking out of jail. Going to New York would also make some sense in that they are small time crooks in need of one last big score to complete their escape. We just have to ignore the coincidence of it all. Their appearance in the truck is great. The smart audience members can tell that the bird lady will not be what she appears. Even as a kid, I could tell that she was going to be the Old Man Marley of the sequel. The introduction of the Plaza Hotel was Christmas eye candy and it is thanks to Hughes and Columbus. Now as an adult, I can tell that the gangster movie was made especially for "Home Alone 2". When you compare it with the gangster movie from the first film, both look old but the one that Kevin watches in the hotel room has much better sound for a film made decades ago. We get some great gags from Kevin having a hotel room all to himself such as the housekeeping visit. The sequence with the limo and pizza is awesome because of Johnny Mathis' "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas". This is where we get a great match cross disolve from the Grinch to the concierge. Another funny scene is Marv skating in Central Park. I love the iconic reuniting of Kevin and the Wet Bandits. John Williams' score in these moments adds to the anticipation. The facial acting from Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern is really good once they realize that it is Kevin standing in front of them. Another compliment to Hughes and Columbus is that the comedy in the hotel distracts us and we forget about the Wet Bandits who are also on Kevin's heals. Kevin and the audience see the Wet Bandits, and Harry's scared hand, too late to do anything behind the hotel. Kevin's luckiest moment in the movie is when the women ends up being the one that Marv flirted with earlier. Another possible plot hole in the story is how Kevin's family gets to New York from Miami so easily when last year, every flight was booked. Maybe they got that private plane that they needed in the first place. Back in New York, you can tell that Kevin is going to end up using his uncle's house as a booby-trapped last stand but could you really do this movie without such a sequence? Kevin's voice in the empty house when he first visits it helps to set up the scary subsequent moments. The bird lady provides less heart than Marley did but she is still sweet. Another small problem I have story-wise is the lack of resolution in her life by the end of the picture.

In the last movie, Kevin's booby traps served an important story purpose because Kevin had to protect the house that he was alone in. In the sequel, Kevin is the only one who knows the Wet Bandits' target and it is charity money for children. However, he could have just called the police anonymously. Even if he was afraid of being arrested himself for "credit card fraud", he could easily break the store window and lose the crooks. He didn't have to go to all the trouble of booby-trapping yet another house, nor getting the Wet Bandits attention once on the roof of the house. On the other hand, if Marv and Harry didn't learn their lesson last time, they deserve a reminder. Also, Kevin is a kid and he does a good deed in his own way. The three hours that Kevin has to prepare his traps as opposed to one hour the year earlier makes a lot more sense. It is important that there be a lot of money for Marv and Harry to steal. It does make their role in the movie appealing. Marv and Harry are not completely stupid in that they consider taking the money and running. They may have not learned their lesson but they haven't forgotten the pain of last year's pranks. Their fury at Kevin for exposing them ends up getting the better of them. There are too many funny moments in the climax, let alone the whole movie, to mention all of them but I will point out my favorites. The comedy of this climax is more reminiscent of "Looney Tunes" than that of the first movie but the filmmakers must give the kids watching the show more of what they enjoyed the first time around. The bricks are hilarious. Marv gets all the punishment for Harry taunts. Daniel Stern is a comic master in this moment. I love how in pain he says "Harry, no" and we see Harry silently jeering at Kevin, oblivious to Marv pleas for mercy. The best is when Harry almost gets hit behind his back but ducks just in time so that Marv gets it in the face again. We have a nice match cut from Harry after he falls in the alley to Marv taking the staple out of his nose. Other great moments include the skeleton and the toilet filled with gas. I like how once both guys are in the basement, Harry has to rely on Marv to get back upstairs. The delivery of the line "NEVER!!" is also really funny. I love it everytime when Harry and Marv scream together because it is very distinctive. I could hear that sound outside of the movie and be able to recognize it. It is first heard on the original movie when Kevin cuts the rope. You hear them scream the same way again both when they get hit with pipe on the stairs and when they fall off the flaming rope. In that latter booby trap, we forgot about the paint cans that Kevin put out there until Marv & Harry look up and see them coming. Their short vocal reaction to this is priceless. Marv is right to call this climax a war because by the end, it looks as though the Wet Bandits have been through one. In the first movie, they looked a little bit roughed up. By the time the police arrest Marv & Harry in Central Park, they are covered with paint, feathers and plaster. Harry is once again bald and covered in feathers but also has a burnt face. Marv also has a new hairdo after being electrocuted. I won't mention all the injuries the now "Sticky Bandits" have sustained so as not to spoil everything. Buzz's funniest moment in the film is on Christmas morning when he blows the raspberry to get everyone's attention. I also love the line, "gooey sh......ow of emotion." The last gag of the whole movie is unfortunately not as funny as last time.

It seems like every cast member slipped right back into his or her role with ease. Some characters did change a little and one example is Buzz. I love how Devin Ratray uses those candles at the start of the film like maracas. Buzz is less of a bully and more like a comedian in "Home Alone 2" and I love that. Marv experienced the greatest character change in that he is sillier. I think this was done so as to justify the cartoonish booby traps. Daniel Stern's greatest moment is when his character is pretending to be hit by the paint cans that Kevin throws. Marv can't keep a straight face and is almost ready to burst into laughter. As a result the line, "Ow, right in the schnoz" is hilarious. Stern's overall performance I think is better in the second film. Joe Pesci was a well-known actor when he was cast in the first movie but in between both "Home Alone" films, he won an Oscar for "Goodfellas" (also released in 1990) and gave great performances in "JFK" and "My Cousin Vinny". Out of all those involved in "Home Alone 2", I am most impressed that he came back. Uncle Frank hasn't changed but I love his line, "I know I shouldn't complain about a free trip but geez, you guys give the worst dull garn wake up calls." It's funny because it's true. "Home Alone 2" was my introduction to Eddie Bracken, Tim Curry, Brenda Fricker and Rob Schneider. I didn't even recognize Schneider until I wrote this review. His character is so different from the work he would do in the future. Schneider's best scene is when he changes his mind about accepting a tip from Kevin. Curry's best moment is his reaction to being accused of "smoochin' with my brother." I am glad his character gets his comeuppance from Kate towards the climax of the story. Mr. Duncan is another friendly new character in the franchise. Donald Trump was obviously not as famous as he is today when he had his cameo role in the Plaza pointing Kevin to the lobby. 9/11 and the 2016 Presidential election have forever changed how we watch "Home Alone 2". Another cameo is Chris Columbus as the father in Duncan's toy chest. I think the use of songs is better than last movie. They did more in contributing to the atmospheres that they are accompanying. I didn't know that Alan Menken wrote "My Christmas Tree". John Williams was able to take his Oscar nominated musical themes from the first movie and apply them well to this new adventure.

When I was young, we only had this movie on video and not the original so I am more familiar with it. "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York" was the third most successful film of 1992 after "Aladdin" and "The Bodyguard". It reflects the materialism and prosperity of the early 90's as well as the Christmas spirit as interpreted by director Chris Columbus & writer/producer John Hughes. They came up with a very entertaining sequel. Even though the movie has multiple weak points such as a predictable story, it has strong points. I won't be watching "Home Alone" at Christmas time without including this comedy sequel.

4 Stars