There are lots of holiday movies some good, most bad. Recently I’ve noticed people criticizing a Christmas classic. That classic is Home Alone. Yes, Home Alone is a Christmas classic. It’s been panned as a film riddled with cheap jokes and senseless slapstick humor. In Dogma (1999) director Kevin Smith accused the creators of the film selling their soul to Satan to make the film a success. What does Smith know about having a soul or what the value of one is? People forget that Home Alone is still one of the top Box Office grossing movies of all time. Not because of soul selling evil but because it’s comedy is a throwback to the Three Stooges.
Some people love how simple it is others hate it. |
Everyone loves the slapstick comedy that emanates from the
Stooges’ shorts. Home Alone tried to recapture that simpler time and the
early 1990s was the best time for it. What’s not to love about Kevin McCallister,
a smart-alleck youth, youngest in his family who is ignored and ridiculed by
them? The entire story is told through his perspective. Macaulay Culkin
plays the part to perfection. Adults remember a “simpler” time in their
lives when they were that child and children relate because they are that
child.
He then proceeds to get his wish of his family disappearing
and learning the allegory through his missing family that not having a job for
a week is a nice vacation but not having a job forever gets really crappy
really fast. It’s not deep stuff but why does every movie have to be some
deep philosophical lesson in life?
Socrates. |
Kevin overcomes several fears on his own, faces down some
home invaders (a growing urban crime since the film’s release), and rejuvenates
the relationship with his family. Couple those simple tales and Hallmark
happy ending with some brilliant cartoon violence and you have a nice relaxing
December evening that helps you forget the holiday stress.
Most people are just jealous he got to date Mila Kunis, |
Written by
Joseph Ammendolea
Owner/President
“I Like To Play With Toys” Productions®