The film Home Sweet Home Alone may look a bit familiar to us older folks, but there are plenty of 7 to 11 year olds who have never seen the original when it was released in 1990. Even if they have, this new production changes it just enough to make it fresh and twisty. Updating the John Hughes classic with a lot of different pratfalls, surprises, and incredible ways to upend the unsuspecting intruders, gets nicely depicted.
It’s been a tough year for the Mackenzie’s trying to make it on the pay of schoolteacher wife Pam (Ellie Kemper), especially around Christmas when the bills have be stacking up. Her husband Jeff (Rob Delaney) has been trying to help, but the mortgage has to be paid and other expenses, so he has decided to sell the home and downsize. On TV they see a familiar doll that Jeff’s mother had passed down to his family and it’s worth hundreds of thousands. When he goes to look for it, he surmises that Max (Archie Yates), one of the bratty kids that were with their mother when they looked at the house with a realtor, must have taken the doll,
So begins an adventure for Pam and Jeff to retrieve the doll. Unbeknown to them however, is Max has been left alone when his parents and other relatives have left for Tokyo for vacation. The story may sound a bit implausible and the belief for older kids and parents may be dipping into unbelievable territory, BUT it’s how this film works it way out that saves the day. So stick with the soapy beginning, because the acting by Archie Yates, Ellie Kemper and Rob Delaney save this very funny film. The three stars really earn their stripes fighting each other with some of the most outlandish defense tactics ever.
Home Sweet Home Alone has been rated PG by the MPAA for slapstick violence, rude material and some language. Most action listed in the warning age 7 and up have probably seen imbedded in cartoons on Nickelodeon. But, since it is easily available on home streaming Disney+, watch the film with the most immature for safety sake. Heck, you may even get a feel of family love from the satisfying ending.
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Ellie Kemper, Rob Delaney, Archie Yates, Aisling Bea, Kenan Thompson, Tim Simons, Pete Holmes, Devin Ratray, Ally Maki, Chris Parnell
Directed by: Dan Mazer
Genre: Comedy, Action, Family
MPAA Rating: PG for slapstick violence, rude material and some language
Opening Date: November 12, 2021
Distributed by: Walt Disney Pictures
Released in: exclusively on Disney+
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
