There's much to love when it comes to the classic Christmas comedies from an absurd and brutal level. Though this sequel has seen its share of criticism, there are some ways in which Kevin's New York escapades make for a more interesting, entertaining watch for many.
This list will seek to make a case for the somewhat more negatively-received Home Alone 2. It'll even highlight some reasons it may actually be the better film overall. At the same time, it will cover a few weaker areas and point to some traits that turned off fans of the '90 classic.
Better: More Memorable, Likable Characters
A movie can be made or broken on the strength of its characters and their performances. It's tough to deny that this more elaborate sequel wins out in this regard. Thanks in part to its bustling settings of New York and the Plaza Hotel, Home Alone 2 has a number of funny, likable characters throughout. This is contrasted with the limited settings of the first film, which don't often go beyond Kevin's own empty house and largely vacant neighborhood.
There's the addition of the zany band of hotel employees, led by the amusing concierge (Tim Curry). There's the warm, friendly presence of the toy shop owner Mr. Duncan as well as Kevin's new pigeon-loving friend. And of course, this is on top of the original lineup, many of whom return in this one.
Better: Macaulay Culkin's Performance
With age comes experience, and it shows when it comes to the performance of Macaulay Culkin, whose seasoning benefits his acting in the '92 sequel.
There are plenty of memorable Kevin moments to be had in the original, to be sure. But for one, the more abundant zingers in Home Alone 2 tend to be more subtly and convincingly delivered. There's also a generally less-forced, "less is more approach" that gives Kevin a wittier, believable vibe largely missing in the first film. Though there's often more emotion and intensity in his delivery at times too.
Better: More Exciting Action
The first Home Alone typically opts for subtlety when it comes to its overall scale and bouts of action. Yet, ultimately it's about fun and entertainment, and the sequel ups the ante on this front, thanks to its more liberal use of thrilling action scenes.
This mainly comes in the form of the traps that Kevin busts out on the dimwitted Harry and Marv, which make for some visually fun - and funny - slapstick moments. Though there's no shortage of heart-pumping moments elsewhere too. This includes his scrambling out of the Plaza Hotel while eluding the hostile concierge, and his mad dashes through the city streets while being chased by the Wet (Sticky) Bandits.
Better: Higher Stakes
Film narratives with higher stakes tend to help keep an audience engaged and entertained, and Home Alone 2 is no slouch in this area. Rather than residing in the comfortable familiarity of his home, Kevin finds himself stranded in the vast, cold, and unknown streets of downtown New York. There's an elevated feeling of danger and intensity, especially when Kevin doesn't have access to his hotel room.
Not only this, but the scorned Harry and Marv are on a mission that stretches beyond mere robbery - they're actively seeking to eliminate the child pest that stands in their way. They're no longer satisfied with just robbing properties and bailing - but they want Kevin gone, especially after he takes that incriminating photo.
Better: The Setting
A fun, compelling setting can really make a difference in a movie. Hughes and Columbus certainly go all out with the lively, grandiose setting of downtown New York.
Kevin's awe-inspiring tour when he first arrives becomes a sight-seeing tour for viewers as well, with a slew of visually-captivating locales, monuments, and buildings are shown. It's intriguing to gaze upon NY circa 1992, both from a historical perspective and a narrative one. This sprawling location provides a backdrop that's both exciting and intimidating for Kevin, and thus the audience.
Misses The Mark: That Opening Act...
It's hard to knock a film too hard on a single scene, though the opening act of Home Alone 2 is one that has managed to bother some viewers. Early in the film, Kevin and his bully of a brother are seen singing in a Christmas pageant. Conveniently, Buzz is standing right behind an oblivious Kevin and uses this as an opportunity to humiliate him in front of dozens of students and parents.
In an irritating, nonsensical moment, Kevin's parents manage to reprimand the victim of this bullying far more than the perpetrator - even forcing him to apologize. Granted, Kevin did shove Buzz, implausibly causing everyone in the pageant to fall. Still, it's a pretty understandable reaction all things considered...
Misses The Mark: Too Many Parallels And Similarities To The First Movie
They say "if it ain't broke, don't fix it," though Columbus and Hughes may just have followed this mantra a bit too closely with the fairly safe Home Alone sequel.
Once the grander scales and heightened action is stripped away, it's hard to deny that the film feels quite similar to its predecessor with its major beats and overall formula. The plot points and pacing have more than a few parallels, similar lines of dialogue are said, and many traps are rehashed in some form. There's even a reprisal of the seemingly-spooky neighbor Marley in the form of the Pigeon Lady.
Misses The Mark: Harry And Marv's More Buffoonish Nature
It makes sense to include particularly cartoonish villains in a film largely meant for younger audiences, and Harry and Marv are no exception. Still, these Bandits reach an almost absurd level of stupidity during most of this sequel, to the point where they feel akin to Saturday morning cartoon villains.
Their goofy quips, overacting, and countless dumb moves tend to take out some of the tension compared to their more subtly sleazy behavior in the first film.
Misses The Mark: More Nonsensical, Illogical Moments
There's some suspension of disbelief required for both Home Alone films - but for many fans, the sequel tended to take things a little too far. All too often, viewers are left questioning the actions, motivations, and outcomes of what goes on during the movie.
How do Kevin's parents manage to forget or 'miscount' him twice? Why isn't Kevin calling for help when he's surrounded by people in the streets? How does he manage to cross paths with the bandits in such a vast, highly-populated city? And moreover - how on earth can they survive these particularly brutal traps?
Misses The Mark: Traps Reach A Crazy, Implauisable Level
The traps in Home Alone 2 can be a double-edged sword for many viewers. On the one hand, the increased scale and dangerous nature of massive pipes, falling bricks, and electric currents are fun to watch. But these can often turn off some younger viewers, as their more violent, aggressive nature tends to pull the film out of "family-friendly" terrain somewhat.
At the same time, the implausibility of Kevin being able to put these things together - and the Bandits weathering them as they do - can make some older audiences shake their heads.
