It’s hard to believe that this movie is now 30 years old, talk about a movie that was successful at the box office and yet got anything but positive reviews from critics at the time. Nowadays, it's considered a Christmas classic and so many people love whipping this movie out every holiday season and I wouldn’t blame them as this is a well written and well-directed film made by some talented people.
The McCallister’s are quite the big family and Kevin, who is the youngest, is tired of being picked on by his older siblings and “mistreated” by his parents. The McCallister’s are getting ready to head to Paris for Christmas but Kevin seems to be the only one who causes trouble for the rest of his family. When he gets in trouble for attacking one of the older siblings, Kevin’s mom sends him upstairs. Kevin wishes his family would just disappear and he wakes up to find out that he got what he wished for after the family leaves without him after mistakenly counting another boy as Kevin who is just a neighborhood kid.
Kevin is thrilled to have the place all to himself as he starts to go nuts by eating junk and making the house his personal playground. It is fun at first, but slowly Kevin realizes how lonely it can be with no family around for the holidays. To make matters worse there are two bumbling burglars called the wet bandits who are trying to rob the house so Kevin decides to set traps to catch the burglars in their tracks. Meanwhile, Kevin’s mom tries desperately to get home to his son in the hopes that he’s safe.
This movie is hilarious when it needs to be, but it also manages to sneak in some very well done sentimental moments that ring in the Christmas spirit. It also should be mentioned that the film is written by the master of slapstick comedy himself, John Hughes who you may know as the same guy who directed Ferris Buller and Planes, Trains and Automobiles. John really knows how to write slapstick comedy while also bring a level of seriousness to the characters. Kevin himself is crafty but also innocent and even though he’s acting like a spoiled brat, he still manages to bring a level of vulnerability that is very heartwarming and even kinda sad. The rest of Kevin’s family is meanspirited and somewhat ignorant but the movie is clever not making them awful as they act like an real large family relationship. The wet bandits are so funny, especially during the third act. Their over the top acting and cartoonish slapstick make it hysterical to behold.
The look of the movie is probably what stands out to me the most. Everything from the Christmas decorations, the soft red and green colors that make up the majority of the house, and bright lights makes the movie pop and it gives you that special feeling that only something great as Christmas can do It’s also quite a surprise that out of all the composers they got for this movie they actually managed to get John Willams who you would know as the same person who did the scores for Star Wars and Indiana Jones. It’s insane, but the gentle and memorable score evokes the themes of family and being home for the holidays.
This Movie has the great direction of Chris Columbus, The witty slapstick humor of John Huges, and the overall spirit of what a Christmas classic should be. Sure, I do have a few minor nitpicks when it comes to some of the comedy but they are not enough to distract from the great feeling that this movie gives. The film has been a Christmas Classic for decades and it looks like it will still be a Christmas classic for years to come.
(Final Grade: A-)