Home Alone: Kevin Vs.The Wet Bandits

I have to admit, Christmas time in New York City is filled with holiday lights everywhere. You will not pass one block without at least one of the houses or buildings on that block with beautiful Christmas decorations. Yet, it is not the lights and decorations that get me into the holiday spirit.

The music and movies of the holidays help me to adjust to another year abruptly ending. I love watching Christmas classics because they help me to have that holiday cheer. Most people's Christmas starts with Thanksgiving but for me, it begins when I watch the movie, Home Alone.

Home Alone is a holiday classic that came out sometime in the nineties. It is a dramatic comedy suitable for the entire family that I would not mind watching repeatedly. It is true that the main actor, McCauley Culkin, was a cutie pie back then; but he was also the actor in the movie that made the movie what it was. Without him, it would be nothing. McCauley Culkin plays the role of Kevin, an 8-year-old boy who is the youngest of 3 children. Kevin is a troublemaker and an ingrate. I always hear the phrase that you should be careful what you wish for and this movie really makes the truth of those words come alive.

It is the Christmas holiday and like many families, the McAllister's are spending their holiday with family. Their home is filled with aunts, uncles and cousins as they prepare to take a trip together to Paris. Kevin and his annoying, bullying brother Buzz played by Devin Ratray are always at odds. On the last night before the family is set for their departure to Paris, Kevin and Buzz get into an argument that causes the whole family to be vexed. His mother Kate (Catherine O'Hara) punishes him and Kevin wishes to never see his family again.

The next morning, Kevin discovers that his wish came true. When the McAllister's did their head count prior to leaving from the house, the count that they had was the right count but only one of the heads was not Kevin's but a nosy neighbor's. It was not until they were on the plane and in the air that reality kicked in.

At first, Kevin is happy about his sudden freedom but then discovers that it is no fun for an 8 year old boy to be on his own; Especially when you are left to do everything on your own. Kevin does the things that his parents and siblings would never allow him to do like sled down the stairs, watch Rated R movies and play with Buzz's toys but also does responsible things like grocery shopping and laundry.

The good thing about the neighborhood which the McAllister's live in is that it is a comfortable and very quiet suburban strip. All the neighbors know each other except for Old Man Marley (Roberts Blossom) who seems to scare all the neighborhood kids. The bad thing about the neighborhood is that it has been targeted by two unlikely thieves, Marv and Larry better known as the Wet Bandits played by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern. They are an hilarious pair that will keep you laughing for days. They have become very interested in robbing the homes on his block, especially the McCallister house. Kevin does everything he can to fend for himself and to scare off anyone trying to come and take over his turf.

What I love about this movie was the things Kevin comes up with to keep himself safe and out of harms way. While Kevin is home alone being an 8 year old little man on his own, his mother is trying every way possible to get back to Kevin. That is one of the reasons why Home Alone is one of my favorite holiday movies. McCauley Culkin does a great job in making the scenes come alive and seem real. But also, Catherine O'Hara does a great job with her facial expressions and mannerisms while playing the role of a worried mother who accidently left her son home alone in a big house in Chicago, with a real need to get back to her young son.

Christopher Columbus did an excellent job in directing this film. The visuals were very good. I love every scene and how the movie comes about. I appreciate the music in this film. The movie is all about hoping and not letting go. It was about family and treating each other with the respect that is deserved. It is about leaving behind fears and marching into faith and strength that was preordained within by God. Home Alone is a very funny movie that I like so much, I am often talking about scenes of it and laughing just talking about it. This movie is also very much about the Christmas holiday. There was caroling, holiday decorations, and a Midnight mass, holiday movies like The Grinch That Stole Christmas in the background on television and nativity scene. Home Alone makes me laugh and keeps me with that Christmas cheer. I recommend it to all movie lovers. This is one movie that you will just love.