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‘Home Alone’ is a great film… even with the plotholes

PHOTO PROVIDED Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern are pictured as Kevin McCallister and burglars Harry and Marv in a still from “Home Alone.”

It’s that time of year! One might even say… it’s the most wonderful time of the year.

OK, I won’t do that again I swear.

This year I’ve decided to kick off my Christmas themed reviews with a classic, one that turned 30 just last year (they grow up so fast) “Home Alone.”

When I was a little kid, snuggled up at home under a blanket watching 1990’s “Home Alone” I couldn’t help but think it was an action packed adventure. Little 8-year-old me couldn’t help but feel I too could be like Kevin McCallister — kicking burglar butt and being a fully independent human.

However, now that I’ve been humbled by adulthood, I see things differently.

For those of you who haven’t watched this classic masterpiece, let me break the plot down for you quick.

Eight-year-old Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) is left behind at his parents’ home days before Christmas. How did this happen? His family is just filled to the brim with chaotic energy. You throw in a late wake up call and mad dash to the airport… well you’ve got yourself a recipe for forgotten kid.

It isn’t until the family is on their plane bound for Paris, France that his mother Kate (Catherine O’Hara) realizes their grave mistake. On her end, it’s a frantic race to get back home to ensure Kevin is safe.

As for Kevin, things are alright at first. The kid was sick of his overbearing and downright mean family, so he soaks up all the alone time he can get (and I can’t blame him). That’s until burglars Harry (Joe Pesci) and Marv (Daniel Stern) attempt to break into his home. After a couple scares, Kevin decides its time he takes matters into his own hands.

Good luck for Kevin… terrible luck for the goofy duo that don’t quite realize how capable this child is.

“Home Alone” — written by Chris Columbus and released by Warner Bros. — was a smash hit, spawning multiple sequels and remakes. The sequel, “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York” is great. Don’t bother with the rest.

It’s no wonder it was, and still is, so popular. Culkin is an absolute star, showcasing his characters naivety and contrasting it with his genius. An 8-year-old would have to be pretty smart to live successfully on his own for days — and even pick up some milk for the family!

While watching it as an adult though, you can’t help but notice some issues with the story. When Kate calls the Chicago police department, frantically telling them her son is home alone, they seem to brush off her concerns. Excuse me? What kind of nonsense is that?

And on top of the police’s fumble, you’ve got multiple adults that Kevin interacts with acting normal. At one point, a sad Kevin visits Santa and asks for him to bring his family back. Red flags anyone?

I understand this movie came out in the 90s, but I feel that people were a little more observant than that? Maybe I’m wrong though. I only existed in that decade for a year and a half.

Even with these plotholes, “Home Alone” really is a solid story. You’ve got your main hero, Kevin, learning to become a brave and independent young man; the bumbling villains; and the side story of his mother trying her darndest to get back to her kid. Add in the comedy, all around Christmas nostalgia it brings and you’ve got yourself a great Christmas movie.

“Home Alone” is rated PG and can be watched on Disney+.

Tune in next week for another one of my Christmas reviews! I’ve been looking forward to this all year.

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Laura Jameson is a staff reporter for The Express.

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