The original formula that led to five sequels over a 20 year period was released in 1990. I know, I know - how can I rank the original below a sequel? Like I said, Christmas movies are personal, so if you want to know why you’ll have to read below, but for now let’s focus on this cinematic masterpiece. And although it starts to feel more like a spy or action movie made for children with the absence of composer John Williams’ iconic score, it’s reminiscent enough of the original films that it’s not entirely offensive, though I imagine if it were the only sequel without Culkin, I would feel very differently. Linz does a praise-worthy job of trying to follow up Culkin in the lead role, bringing the same sharp wit and adorable delivery we fell in love with during the first two films. Pretty intense stuff, right?Īctor Alex D. Immediately you’ll notice a significant change in tone - gone are the wet bandit home burglars, who have been replaced by new villains: a North Korean terrorist organization. ![]() One film critic even argued it was the best of the series. This 1997 film would be the last in the franchise to be written and produced by “Home Alone” creator John Hughes. It doesn’t make the same mistakes the fourth film made by trying to replicate the iconic characters from the first two films, and it’s ok with blazing its own trail. The third “Home Alone” movie feels like the true neutral of the bunch. Even if it doesn’t quite make you feel as much as the first films, it does try, and that makes all the difference. This film undoubtably has a bit more soul than the fourth. The booby traps are interesting, and there seems to be more depth to the characters. Our official stance is that if you must make another “Home Alone” film, it is best to leave the McCallisters out of it.Īlthough it’s not a good piece of cinema, it’s not as bad as it could be. Ten years after “Home Alone 4,” we get the next installment, which, like the third movie, introduces an entirely new family along with new villains and supporting characters. Released in 2012, “Home Alone: The Holiday Heist” originally aired on ABC Family. Surprisingly, the last installment of the “Home Alone” series is not the worst. The cherry on top is an attempt to “modernize” the classic by introducing a smart home mansion as the setting, which sets the film up for some high-tech hijinks that remind us a little too much of another Macaulay flick, “Richie Rich.” It does provide some good laughs watching in present-day, as characters gleefully use their voice to open doors, instead of the doorknob right in front of them. It’s jarring to see these classic characters played by unfamiliar faces, and particularly disappointing is the return of the wet bandit Marv, who feels like an empty caricature of the original (and not in a good way). Why bother keeping the same characters if you’re going to change everything about them? I guess when you’re trying to squeeze film number four out of a decade-old franchise, you’ve got to use your assets. ![]() Kevin’s parents are now divorced, his dad is dating a young, wealthy woman, and every character is played by a different actor. Unlike “Home Alone 3”, which opted for new protagonists after two films with Kevin McCallister and the rest of his family, “Home Alone 4” brings them back. ![]() If you can get past the less-than-satisfying imitation of Macaulay Culkin’s iconic pose on the cover, you’ll notice some choices that start this film off in the wrong direction. Right off the bat, we have “Home Alone 4”, a made-for-tv movie released in 2002, originally airing on ABC. ![]() Christmas movies are personal - they’re closely tied to memories and traditions, and this list reflects my own experience! 5. Here at Fast Feed, we love rankings, so naturally we’re going to rank all five “Home Alone” movies from worst to best.ĭisclaimer: I know we all take our Christmas movies seriously, so let’s face it: this is going to be controversial. It’s the series that gave us Macaulay Culkin’s legendary hands-on-face pose, and iconic lines like “keep the change, ya filthy animal.”īut if you’re anything like me (and by that I mean if you are planning to sit down and marathon all five movies) you learn very quickly that not all “Home Alone” movies are created equal. Universally beloved, this franchise spans nearly two decades, though you may not realize that there are a total of five-yes, five “Home Alone” movies. When it comes to Christmas movies, “Home Alone” is a certified classic.
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