Big Picture Big Sound

The Film

You would think after the whole incident in the first Home Alone, maybe everyone would be slightly nicer to Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin). The incident we're talking about is leaving an 8-year-old kid home alone. Apparently, things have not changed much. Hence, Home Alone 2.

In the haste for holiday travel, Kevin does manage to make it to the airport -- but boards the wrong plane. So instead of having Christmas with the family in Florida, he's on his own in New York City, but not exactly alone. It just so happens that our favorite felons from the first film, Marv and Harry (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern), are also spending the holidays in the Big Apple. Talk about a crazy coincidence!

Obviously, Home Alone 2 isn't as original as well... the original. It's the same separation plot, with the same burglars, and Kevin even goes to the well once again for lines from Angels with Filthy Souls.

Even some of the booby traps are the same (most notably setting Pesci's head ablaze). In fact, the entire movie has only three new additions: the location; an old bird lady, who replaces Kevin's scary neighbor from the first movie; and an incredibly annoying hotel staff, which the film could have done without altogether.

Still, Home Alone 2 will probably attract the kids, as well as your nostalgic side. We're not saying you'll want to get this film into heavy rotation, but when the holiday season rolls around, it's nice to pair this up with the original for some fine family viewing.

The Picture

The film's setting, which is New York at Christmas time, provides a nice color palette. Black levels are pretty decent, as are details. Some of the shots inside Kevin's uncle's penthouse are a bit darker than we like. Because this is where we have our climactic booby trap scene, it was a bit disappointing. Still, considering this film's age, the 1:85:1 transfer isn't bad at all.  

The Sound

John Williams is back for the score, which is both loud and impressive on this DTS-HD Master Audio track. The dialogue is crisp and most of the comedy sticks close to the front. However, the booby traps do have a few surprises for your surrounds. Also, the New York backdrop produces a few other notable noises, including a rainstorm, beeps and buzzes inside Duncan's Toy Chest, and the too-close-for-comfort sounds of pigeons swarming.

The Extras

Kevin wasn't the only one left alone here. The movie was left alone. There are zero extras. Yes, we don't count trailers from all three Home Alone films. If you do, well... maybe you will be less disappointed.  

Final Thoughts

It's surprising that the guy who wrote Sixteen Candles and even the original Home Alone cranked out this one. There's nothing original here. It's not the way that we want to remember the late John Hughes (or Macaulay Culkin for that matter). However, Home Alone 2 on Blu-ray Disc may be without extras, but it's not without merit. If you've got the first one in your collection, it's worth picking this up for the family's holiday movie marathon.


Product Details

• Actors: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, Catherine O'Hara, John Heard, Tim Curry, Rob Schneider
• Director: Chris Columbus
• Audio/Languages: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (English), Dolby Surround (English, French) Stereo (Spanish)
• Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Region: A
• Number of Discs: 1
• Rating: PG
• Studio: 20th Century Fox
• Blu-ray Disc Release Date: TBA
• Run Time: 120 minutes
• List Price: $34.99
• Extras:
  • Home Alone Theatrical Trailer
  • Home Alone 2: Lost in New York Theatrical Trailer
  • Home Alone 3 Theatrical Trailer