By Ethan Harrigan – Sports Editor

The holiday movie “Home Alone,” starring Macaulay Culkin and directed by Chris Colombus, is a classic comedy everyone should watch around Christmas time. It was released in 1990 and still stands as a popular movie, appropriate and funny for all ages. “Home Alone” is the first of five films and arguably the best of the series. 

The movie follows 8-year-old Kevin McCallister as he uses his wit to foil two bandits (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) attempting to break into his house. During the holiday, his family makes the trip to Paris but when they arrive they realize they have forgotten Kevin at home after his mother (Catherine O’Hara) sent him to sleep in the attic the night before. Left alone with no parents, Kevin has to get by on his own, making his own food, doing his laundry and shopping by himself. He is having fun with his mischief but is surprised when he sees local thieves making the rounds in his neighborhood. Seeing that they want to steal from his house while everyone is away, Kevin sets traps and uses trickery to deter the bandits.

“Home Alone” is a family comedy that you can watch alone or with others. It has many memorable moments like Kevin’s antics going shopping while he is home alone, when he uses a recorded TV sound to scare off the robbers, and when he uses countless traps he placed in his house to incapacitate the villains in funny ways. Kevin also manages to help a misunderstood Old Man Marley (Roberts Blossom) build up the courage to reconnect with his family. While in a large part humor, the movie ends with a wholesome reunion for the family for the holiday.

The film teaches you the importance of family, showing the viewer how Kevin is initially happy at the prospect of having them out of the house but at the end is grateful for their return. Old Man Marley is also portrayed as sad not being able to be with his family for the holiday but when given the confidence to reach out to them he fixes his derailed spirit.

“Home Alone” is a great movie for the Christmas season with an emphasis on the importance of family while still being a hilarious watch. It is a memorable film that everyone can enjoy watching together during the holiday.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars