My Movie Review on Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

Yo, what's up, my pals?

This is your friendly film, TV show, and episode reporter here with another review.

And today, for the second installment of my "Christmas Craze" series, I'm gonna review "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York".

Here's the summary of it:

After getting into another spat with his family, Kevin finds himself wishing he could go on his own vacation just so that he can get away from his family.

His wish comes true the next morning, because during a rush to get to the plane for Miami, Kevin gets separated from his family at the airport and winds up in New York City.

However, small-time crooks Harry and Mary have recently escaped from jail, and their eyes are set on robbing a toy store called Duncan's Toy Chest. The cash they plan to steal is meant to be donated to a children's hospital on Christmas morning. And when the crooks come face to face with Kevin again, a thirst for revenge kicks in.

Will Kevin be able to avoid Harry and Mary and somehow stop them from robbing Duncan's Toy Chest? Or will he be sunk?

What's more, is having a vacation without a family really what Kevin wants?

Having reviewed the first film a few months ago for my "Christmas in July" series, I couldn't say 'no' to reviewing this movie for the actual Christmas season.

Before I get into what I enjoyed about this movie, though, I'd like to start with the prime negative that I found.

As a whole, the film seemed to suffer largely from lack of originality. While I can see what director Chris Columbus and writer John Hughes were going for with the film, it didn't seem as inspired as the first movie. Basically, it was like the first film only with Kevin not at home and Harry & Marv not trying to rob Kevin's house.

Despite this, though, I didn't think the film was a complete loss.

When it comes to the humor and comedic-timings, Columbus and Hughes delivered marvelously in that area. The humor was excellently timed and worked, and there was clearly a lot of thought put into them enough to make things interesting. Even jokes that were used in the previous film were still fun to watch in this one.

In my opinion, the funniest moment was when Kevin tricked the hotel staff by using the 'Angels with Even Filthier Souls' film.

The film isn't without heart either. Even though the movie does tread into similar territory, the amount of emotion and heart that Columbus and Hughes incorporated doesn't feel flat or forced. Plus, it's moral about how much better it is to be with the people you love more than without them was pretty spot-on.

While there was a sense that the cast from the original were aware of how familiar their material was, they took on their parts like pros and made everything work nonetheless. It was Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, and Daniel Stern that definitely stood tall among the returning cast.

The film's new cast members likewise provided the movie with excellent spark. Tim Curry, Rob Schneider, and Dana Ivey were brilliant as hotel employees Hector, Cedric, and Hester Stone, bringing incredible professionalism and energy to their roles and being animated when required. Eddie Bracken brought such loving warmth and personality to the role of E.F. Duncan. And, despite her role not being as different as Roberts Blossom's Marley, Brenda Fricker brought a sense of uniqueness to her character of the Pigeon Lady.

(Spoiler alert: The film features a noticeable cameo from Donald Trump, who was owner of the Plaza Hotel at the time.)

Finally, the music that was composed by John Williams was as melodious as ever. I mean, yes, his music isn't much different as his work in the first movie, but Williams also gave it a touch that helped it be unique and different.

In the end, "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York" isn't the most original film or sequel, but it has a great many pros. It has smart humor, terrific performances, everything.

So, I rate "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York" four out of five stars.