7.9 | / 10 |
Users | 4.3 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 4.1 |
Eight-year-old Kevin McCallister makes the most of the situation after his family unwittingly leaves him behind when they go on Christmas vacation. But when a pair of bungling burglars set their sights on Kevin’s house, the plucky kid stands ready to defend his territory. By planting booby traps galore, adorably mischievous Kevin stands his ground as his frantic mother attempts to race home before Christmas Day.
Starring: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Heard, Roberts BlossomFamily | 100% |
Comedy | 85% |
Holiday | 43% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: Dolby Digital 2.0
French: DTS 5.1
Spanish: DTS 5.1
Portuguese: DTS 5.1
English, Portuguese, Spanish, Cantonese, Korean, Mandarin (Simplified)
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
I made my family disappear!
Home Alone is a Christmas movie in something of a more superficial sense of the term,
the
film set during that most wonderful time of the year but playing as a comedy with
action and adventure elements rather than as a straight Holiday film. Nevertheless, this family
favorite is often mentioned in the same breath as several of the definitive Holiday greats,
including
It's A Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, and A Christmas Story.
Home Alone certainly differs from those films with its more contemporary setting
and arguably broader appeal, though Bob Clark's 1983 classic may have something
to say about
the latter. Some 18 years after the film's initial release, little of the appeal has been lost to time.
Some elements of the film don't hold up particularly well, but its core remains strong and
entertaining, and the film's relatively small yet crucial thematic undertones on the importance of
family,
the bonds of love, and the spirit of the season shine through still today, even in the shadow of
the
still-entertaining final act for which the film is most well-known.
Macaulay Culkin gets a head start on obtaining the right look to play in the remake of 'Eraserhead.'
Home Alone comes home on Blu-ray in a rather nice looking 1080p, 1.85:1-framed transfer. Colors are bold but the image takes on a hazy appearance in many shots. Detail is generally high; all the intricacies of the house look better than ever. A few close-up shots of more mundane objects like a tile floor and a back door reveal all varieties of scuffs and dirt, making the home looked "lived in" and the image rather realistic in such scenes. The wallpaper, the odds and ends in the basement, and the junk scattered throughout the attic all look sharp and generally true to life. However, detail on close-ups of actors is virtually nonexistent, as most look caked in heavy makeup and terribly smooth. Various outdoor scenes, particularly those taking place during the day, fare much better, looking less like there is a film over the image and more natural in appearance. There is little in the way of noise over the image. Blacks seem to veer towards a dark purple in some shots, and flesh tones appear accurate, despite the rather smooth nature of faces as noted above. All in all, Home Alone has never looked better, and while this transfer doesn't reside in the same class as the best of the Blu best, it represents a rather nice visual upgrade that longtime fans will appreciate.
Home Alone hangs out on Blu-ray with a high quality, and surprisingly active, DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless soundtrack. Many might expect this soundtrack to be front heavy with little in the way of subwoofer or back channel support, but quite the opposite is the case. There is a nice power and vitality to the soundtrack, particularly during the more robust parts of the score, for example the scene featuring the family scrambling to get ready on the morning of the trip in chapter six. Bass makes its presence known more than once. Several sounds sweep into the surrounds to excellent effect. Most sound natural, a few sound a bit forced into the track. The mix can be almost obnoxiously loud in a few spots that might have viewers fiddling with the remote during some of the film's key moments. The Angels with Filthy Souls scenes sound far better than the old VHS tape looks in the movie, and it is a bit disconcerting looking at the old, ragged image while the audio fills up the soundstage with power and precision, particularly in accompaniment of the gunshots. Nevertheless, Home Alone features a very surprisingly robust soundtrack that will leave fans satisfied with the experience and the Blu-ray purchase.
Home Alone keeps viewers busy at home with a plethora of bonus features. A
commentary
track featuring director Chris Columbus and actor Macaulay Culkin is first. This easygoing track
features the two reminiscing on the experience, featuring discussions on the shoot, the look and
feel of the film, the thoughts and reactions of the various cast members to Culkin's stardom, and
plenty more. There is nary a dull moment in the track; the two participants are extremely affable
and enjoy the experience of sharing their thoughts on the film. 1990 Press Featurette
(480p, 3:52) is a brief piece that features plenty of clips from the film and showcases cast and
crew
sharing their thoughts on what the film is about. The Making of 'Home Alone' (480p,
19:25) is an extended piece that again features cast and a broad range of crew members sharing
their experiences working on the film. Mac Cam: Behind the Scenes with Macaulay
Culkin
(480p, 4:46) features the actor reminiscing on his experience of shooting behind-the-scenes
material.
Moving along, viewers will find How to Burglar-Proof Your Home: The Stunts of 'Home
Alone' (480p, 7:04). This piece begins with a montage of most of the hard-hitting stunts of
the film and continues with a look at the making of the scenes. 'Home Alone' Around the
World (480p, 3:53) takes a brief look at several scenes dubbed in various languages.
Where's Buzz Now? (480p, 3:03) features cast and crew trying to figure out where the
character Buzz might be today. Angels With Filthy Souls (480p, 2:06) takes a brief look
at this "movie within a movie" and features the footage full-screen, though it appears to be a
different take of that used in the film. Next up are a series of deleted scenes and alternate takes
(480p, 15:04), followed by a blooper reel (480p, 2:04). Concluding this supplemental package is
a 1080p trailer for The Simpsons Movie.
Home Alone is an enjoyable family comedy that generally remains strong, though various segments of the film, particularly any scene featuring Kevin's family, don't hold up quite as well. Still, the movie enjoys continued prominence as a Holiday tradition with a well-integrated message on the importance of family. 20th Century Fox's Blu-ray release of Home Alone leaves nothing to be desired, except, perhaps, its sequel, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, on the high definition format. Featuring a solid video transfer, a far better than anticipated lossless soundtrack, and no shortage of bonus materials, fans will want to gobble this disc up, and it will make for a great stocking stuffer and film to watch after all the Christmas presents have been opened. Recommended.
Re-issue
1990
Family Fun Edition
1990
Triple Play
1990
25th Anniversary Edition | Remastered
1990
25th Anniversary Edition | Remastered
1990
25th Anniversary Edition | Remastered
1990
25th Anniversary Edition | Remastered | Retro VHS Collection
1990
30th Anniversary Edition
1990
1990
Multi-Screen Edition
1990
1992
1989
2007
1997
2007
2004
1996
2011
2012
2011
2017
1996
2010
2006
1966
2011
1983
2002
2006
Grinchmas Edition
2000