Home Alone: the 30th Anniversary
The Blind Eternities forum
Posted on Jan. 2, 2020, 8:47 p.m. by DemonDragonJ
This year is the 30th anniversary of Home Alone; for any users here who were born between the years 1980 and 1990, take a moment to fully comprehend and appreciate the significance of that statement; the classic Christmas movie from our childhoods is now 30 years old!
There is little doubt that Home Alone is a classic Christmas film, as much as It’s a Wonderful Life, the original Miracle on 34th Street, or the original How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and it is so for a number of reasons. First, it was Macaulay Culkin’s breakout role; Culkin had been in several movies before that, but only in minor roles, so this film was his first starring role, helping to establish him as one of the most prominent actors of the 1990’s and the biggest child star since Shirly Temple. Second, it has great emotion and heart, with Kevin learning how to truly appreciate his family and be less obnoxious (although Buzz never receives any comeuppance for his actions). Third, of course, are the booby traps; obviously, those traps would be highly dangerous, or even lethal, in actuality, but most viewers know that the movie is fictional and can appreciate it without wondering how the Wet Bandits could survive those traps.
For me, this film was a major part of my childhood and also one of the definitive films of the 1990’s, helping to define the template for family comedies in that decade. I have watched this film (and its sequel) more times than I can count, and have memorized nearly every line of dialogue. As I have grown older, I have developed a new appreciation for this film, since it provides a nostalgic glimpse into my past, a time that I shall always remember fondly.
One thing that disappoints me about the films is how little screentime and development any of the McCallisters have, apart from Kevin (and, to a lesser extent, Peter, Kate, and Buzz), because I feel that there was great potential for a television series that focused on their interactions.
Numerous people have commented about how sadistic Kevin was, setting up those booby traps, but I feel that they are reading too deeply into the movie and not taking the time to actually enjoy it. The popularity of this movie inspired a sequel, which was nearly a complete repeat of the original, but I still enjoyed it very much. Actually, there have been three more sequels beyond the second, but, as far as I am concerned, they are sequels in name only, and not worth watching, or even being mentioned (although a young Scarlett Johansson is in the third film).
What does everyone else say about this? What are your thoughts about this year being the 30th anniversary of Home Alone?
DemonDragonJ says... #3
FSims81, why would you do something such as that? That seems to be terribly cruel, in my mind.
January 5, 2020 8:06 a.m.
DemonDragonJ says... #4
Some time ago, someone formed a theory that Uncle Frank hired the Wet Bandits to rob the McCallister's house, because he was envious of his brother's wealth; there is no evidence to support such a theory, but I do like it, since Uncle Frank was extremely rude and such behavior would be in-character for him.
FSims81 says... #2
While I do love Home Alone and have fond feelings for it as a Christmas classic, my favorite thing as it relates to the film is it not being watched.
Allow me to explain. Two years ago I was sitting with my wife as I cued up Home Alone for a fun nostalgia viewing experience. Just to be annoying I kept turning to her during the film and giving her spoiler alerts about things we both knew were about to happen. Finally, in an exasperated tone, she turned to me and asked, "you do know I've seen this movie right?" Well now I can't be sure you've seen it, after all the lady doth protest too much and all.
I covertly grabbed my phone and made a Facebook post visible to all our friends and family explaining my shock and disappointment that my wife was just now, for the first time ever, viewing Home Alone with me. As comments poured in asking how that could even be a thing, I made sure to also delete every response she tried adding explaining herself. Eventually she gave up and I actually convinced a couple of our co-workers that she had gone her entire childhood without seeing Home Alone.
So, yes, absolutely a Christmas classic and a movie I love but maybe a little bit more so now; especially when I lean over to my wife while watching it and mutter "spoiler alert".
P.S. The Movies That Made Us on Netflix about Home Alone is a great watch.
January 3, 2020 1:44 p.m.