Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

Written by CinemaSerf on August 26, 2023

Though not quite as much fun as the original, this isn't an half bad follow-up. The beginning is a little too convoluted setting the scene as this time the family go to Florida but a last minute mix-up at the airport sends "Kevin" (Macauley Culkin) to New York. Initially a bit apprehensive, he heads - armed with his dad's credit card - straight to the Plaza Hotel where he goes a bit bonkers with the room service and catches the attention of suspicious concierge Tim Curry. Whilst out exploring, the recently released Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern bump into him and decide to exact their revenge - not before telling him of their daring plan to rob a toy store. Of course he escapes their clutches, and quickly decides to try to thwart their thievery - as only he can. Curry is on good form here, as is just about everyone else as the slapstick hits overdrive and the paint pots, a nail gun and even an old cannon find innovative new uses. It is a good team effort, this - with plenty of gentle humour and amusing antics. Maybe just a bit too long, the joke starts to wear a bit thin but Chris Columbus has built well on the first film, with just enough variation from that one whilst essentially keeping the story the same.