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HOME ALONE, a surprisingly violent, paranoid fantasy for kids, became the highest grossing comedy of all time. It also made a star out of a funny-looking kid named Macaulay Culkin. Eight-year-old Kevin McCallister (Culkin) feels slighted by his large, obnoxious family and throws a temper tantrum on the eve of a vacation trip to Europe. Exiled to his room by his mother (Catherine O'Hara), Kevin fatefully wishes that his family would disappear. The next morning, he awakens to find himself all alone in the house. Scared at first, he soon proves adept at fending for himself. As his guilt-stricken mom begins an arduous journey back from Europe to rescue her son, Kevin elaborately defends the house against a pair of menacing but comically inept burglars (Daniel Stern and Joe Pesci). The first half of HOME ALONE features the sugar-coated sentimentality that can usually be found in a Hughes film, while the second half is full of unanticipated sadism (a close-up of Stern's bare foot slipping slowly down a six-inch nail is the film's most ghastly image). As directed by Chris Columbus (HEARTBREAK HOTEL), the film's slapstick falls flat and only the pain remains. Yet the film's message seems even more disturbing than its violence. This could be the first comedy--it's certainly the first holiday film--which focuses on child abuse. As Kevin shoots pellets into the intruders and takes a blowtorch to their heads, he's directing the hostility he feels toward his neglectful parents at these two guys. The only really likable thing about this film is Culkin (UNCLE BUCK, JACOB'S LADDER). He's an uncommonly natural child actor, but even he doesn't always survive the tiresome gags (the aftershave bit is funny once; three times is tedious). - tvguide.comRead full review
The original "Home Alone" is my family's all-time favorite Christmas movie with "Home Alone 2" being a close second. We love them both! This year for Christmas one son asked for the 1st version on DVD. Eventually we're planning to buy the 2nd one. We only had them on VHS. DVD versions last longer and are a more compact way of saving our favorite movies, and with as many times as we watch them, why pay to rent them? This one was selling for a great price with NO shipping cost for the holidays. It makes a wonderful small gift for anyone at any age. We used it as a stocking stuffer. You could also use it as a pollyanna or secret santa gift.
Home Alone, the movie that taught parents everywhere that nothing bad will happen if they accidentally leave their 8-year-old children behind while going on vacation, is here on DVD for your enjoyment year after year. The movie stars Macauley Culkin as Kevin McCallister, who ends up accidentally left at home during the hustle and bustle of his family leaving for a vacation. Once he realizes his family has left him, he indulges in the freedom to do whatever he wants. Unfortunately, his carefree days come to an end when Harry (Joe Pesci) and Marv (Daniel Stern), two crooks who go by the moniker "The Wet Bandits", show up looking to rob Kevin's house. So Kevin does what any 8 year old would in that situation and sets up intricate booby traps to defend his home from these two boobs. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll look at your own child and question, "Why can't you do that?" The blue box version of this movie (not Family Fun edition) will not blow you away with extras unless you are very fond of original theatrical trailers, in which case you're in luck. Overall, this movie is a true holiday classic and definitely worth a few bucks to pick up.Read full review
This movie has become a Christmas collection staple much as the classics of old. I saw this in college and laughed harder than I ever thought possible while watching a "family" movie. What a wonderful return to slapstick-type comedy. I am a huge Bugs Bunny fan so I thought this movie was right in line with that same type of humor. I've wanted to own it for years. After I had kids, my oldest son watched it on TV last Christmas and liked it so much he wanted to keep watching "the Kevin movie." I tried to find it in stores but had no luck. So I turned to Ebay and bought Home Alone I & II, because the second one is equally as funny. Daniel Stern and Joe Pesci are hilarious. The way Daniel Stren screams like a girl gets me every time. I never tire of watching this movie, even though I have it practically memorized at this point. If you don't find humor in this movie, check your pulse because there's something in here for everyone. It brings out the kid in me and so many others who have watched it. My husband loves it too so it's a great break from all the stupid, mind-numbing attempts at cartoons that are on TV these days. This one I can actually enjoy every time and year round. Perfect whether you have kids or not.Read full review
My soon-to-be 7 year old daughter had never seen this movie and I thought that she might like it. I was right; she loved it. She also took away from the movie its message about the importance of being a part of a loving family. While she could not understand how anyone's parents could actually not know one of their children was not on an airplane (!), she was able to watch Kevin's transformation from a happy-go-lucky kid with new-found freedom into that of a child who missed his family...even the mean Uncle. From an adult perspective, the character of Kevin's elderly neighbor was especially poignant and my daughter was very happy that the neighbor was able to re-unite with his son and his family. It didn't hurt that Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern were very funny in their respective robber roles. We watched the movie 3 times in one day! Highly recommended.Read full review
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