Anthony's Film Review - Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

Even with an unchanged plot, this sequel at least has a new setting...

I am not surprised that the comedy film Home Alone was followed by a sequel. Enough people, including myself, liked it and Hollywood took notice. Of course, if you have a movie about a kid left home alone, how can you do a sequel that is fresh? What else can you do besides have the kid home alone and doing things when his family isn't around? An exact repeat of the first movie would surely be boring.

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York has a rather inventive solution. It takes the plot of the first movie and changes the setting. It's evident in the beginning of the movie when Kevin McCallister, played by Macaulay Culkin, scrambles with his gigantic family as they embark on a Christmas trip. Unlike the first movie, everyone makes it to the airport, including Kevin. However, Kevin takes the wrong flight and ends up in New York.

Also, like in the first movie, Kevin is enjoy time by himself and living the way he wants to. He checks into a hotel and manages to get a room by using his parents' credit card. There is a tiny bit of suspicion from the staff, including a hotel concierge played by Tim Curry. Later, Kevin meets a dear friend in the form of an old lady feeding pigeons.

Even the last part of the movie repeats its predecessor. Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern as back as Harry and Marv, the two burglars from the first Home Alone. They just happen to be in New York as well. Their scheme involves robbing a department store. Later, Kevin foils the plot and leads the goons to an abandoned house where, like the first movie, the kid sets up a bunch of traps.

It's surprising how the story is unchanged but looks new just because of the setting. I don't necessarily mean this in a bad way. I still enjoyed the movie. At the same time, there's no way they could make another Home Alone movie that feels new. Macaulay Culkin would not appear in any more Home Alone movies. I think he can be proud of these two movies as achievements in his career as a child star.

Anthony's Rating:

For more information about Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, visit the Internet Movie Database.

In addition, check out my reviews of Home Alone and Home Alone 3.