In 1990 director Christopher Columbus and writer John Hughes teamed up for the now Christmas classic Home Alone. The film not only became a Christmas classic it spawned an entire franchise with 4 sequels, but only the second film featuring the return of star Macaulay Culkin. Now Disney+ is bringing a new entry into the franchise with Home Sweet Home Alone starring Archie Yates, Rob Delaney, Ellie Kemper and Keenan Thompson. Could this flick capture the same holiday magic or should it have stayed home alone?

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Home Sweet Home Alone follows Max Mercer, a mischievous and resourceful young boy who has been left behind while his family is in Japan for the holidays. So when a married couple attempting to retrieve a priceless heirloom set their sights on the Mercer family’s home, it is up to Max to protect it from the trespassers…and he will do whatever it takes to keep them out. Hilarious hijinks of epic proportions ensue, but despite the absolute chaos, Max comes to realize that there really is no place like home sweet home.

 

I love the original film like most and realize that most of the follow-ups fell flat. With this one I had a little more interest with the addition Archie Yates who was so great in Jojo Rabbit. He is great in the role here and the film is filled with a  great cast who all seem to be having a great time, but sadly the film struggles to really find its footing. The story sticks to the core idea, but must say the reasoning behind the chaos is pretty far-fetched and could have been easily solved without all this craziness.

 

Yates is funny here and great for the role and had it not been something that has literally been done numerous times might have worked better. One of the things that made the original so great was the heart and family it dealt with in both Kevin and his mom. Here it focuses more on the obsession of this couple trying to save their home which is fine, but it lacks the real reasoning or justification for breaking into someone’s house. Of course we get plenty of booby trap hijinks that is fun to watch and there are laughs to be had, but it’s nothing that really brings anything new to the table to justify diving back in for.

 

I will say the younger crowd will likely still have fun with this film for what it is and is at least something that can entertain for the whole family. Decide for yourself and check out Home Sweet Home Alone when it streams exclusively on Disney+ on November 12th.