Every year around this time, I procrastinate far too much by watching hours and hours of Christmas and holiday movies. There is nothing like the cozy familiarity of the classics; Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, and, of course, Home Alone. A debate that seems to occur every year is whether the sequel to Home Alone, titled Home Alone 2: Lost in New York is better than the original. I am here simply to defend the correct standpoint, which is that the sequel surely surpasses the original.
No one can deny that the original movie is a classic plot, with the Wet Bandits attempting to rob the McCallister’s home, all while the youngest son Kevin attempts to ward them off when he gets left behind from the family vacation. Some might even say that the sequel is simply a belabored repeat of the original, only with a change of scenery. This could not be further from the truth! Home Alone 2: Lost in New York takes the original story and ups the suspense, the excitement, and for me, the viewer’s enjoyment. Though being left alone at home at such a young age is dangerous, Kevin was somewhere familiar. In the second movie, he rode the entirely incorrect plane to a completely unknown city! That, coupled with the incredulity that Kevin’s family could forget yet again, make the second movie much more exciting.
In the original movie, Kevin causes his neighbor to have a change of heart and call his son. While that scene would make anyone feel all warm and fuzzy, the second movie has not one, but two similar heart-warming situations. First, he gives company to the woman with the pigeons, perhaps pushing her to put a little more trust in people. Secondly, he saves Duncan’s Toy Chest! Kevin becomes a hero. Sure, he was a hero when he stopped his house from being robbed, but by saving the toy store and the money the shop owner was to donate, his heroism extends to more than just his family.
All in all, the stakes are raised in the second movie, and the snowy, cozy scenery of New York City at Christmas contribute to the sequel surpassing the original in my humble opinion. However, I do consider myself quite an expert with how many Christmas movies I have seen in my time. What side are you on?