Home Sweet Home Alone (2021)
Directed By: Dan Mazer
Starring: Archie Yates, Ellie Kemper, Rob Delaney, Aisling Brea, Devin Ratray
Plot Summary: 20th Century Studios’ “Home Sweet Home Alone” is an all-new adventure comedy from the beloved holiday film franchise. Max Mercer is a mischievous and resourceful young boy who has been left behind while his family is in Japan for the holidays. So, when a married couple attempting to retrieve a priceless heirloom set their sights on the Mercer family’s home, it is up to Max to protect it from the trespassers…and he will do whatever it takes to keep them out. Hilarious hijinks of epic proportions ensue, but despite the absolute chaos, Max comes to realize that there really is no place like home sweet home.
The original Home Alone released in 1990 was made on a $18 million budget (the average budget for the time was 25-30 million) and ended up earning nearly half a billion dollars at the box office. This didn’t include merch and home video sales. Needless to say, Fox was ready to make more films. A direct sequel and a few direct-to-video films followed. When Disney bought Fox and their back catalogue, rumors swirled that a new Home Alone movie would be in the works. Well, the wait is finally over. Like millions of people, the 1990 Home Alone always makes my seasonal playlist. It’s a classic that has a heartwarming message that is frankly timeless. Home Sweet Home Alone therefore has some very huge shoes to fill. You know what? I really enjoyed it. What I think impressed me the most was how the filmmakers find a nice balance of fan service but also blazing their own path. Without spoiling anything I’ll just say Dan Mazer manages to add some really clever subversions, not to mention some truly hilarious sight gags and direct homages. The Scarface scene for example, was brilliant. There is also a pretty refreshing scene where Max plays dress up.
What’s amazing is that it’s not used as a tasteless joke. It just is. I also admit having a legacy character back was the hit of ‘90s nostalgia that I wanted.
Speaking of, the cast is fantastic. Archie Yates who made an utterly brilliant film debut in JoJo Rabbit (2019), is really stellar here. Yates has the kind of charm, star power and range to go far in this industry. Ellie Kemper (Kimmy Schmidt) and Rob Delaney (Deadpool 2) are both stellar actors and really smart choices because they are both instantly likeable. Though I will say they lack chemistry but I did enjoy seeing them teamed up. The supporting cast is great with Aisling Bea, Ally Maki, Timothy Simons, Kenan Thompson and Devin Ratray returning as Kevin’s brother Buzz. If I’m being honest, as much as I enjoyed the film, it did have some issues. Some of the writing felt rushed, and as a result, some narrative threads are not as richly developed as they could have been. I also feel like characters do suffer somewhat as well.
Home Sweet Home Alone isn’t a perfect movie. However, I was fully engaged and enjoyed how they did a fine job making this movie fresh for a new audience but also for older fans like myself that grew up with the original films.
A whirlwind of hilarious chaos wrapped up in a heartwarming bow.
Big film nerd and TCM Obsessed. Author of The Ultimate Guide to Strange Cinema from Schiffer Publishing. Resume includes: AMC’s The Bite, Scream Magazine etc. Love all kinds of movies and television and have interviewed a wide range of actors, writers, producers and directors. I currently am a regular co-host on the podcast The Humanoids from the Deep Dive and have a second book in the works from Bear Manor.
