HOME ALONE 2

US, 1992, 120 minutes, Colour.
Macauley Culkin, John Heard, Catherine O'Hara, Tim Curry, Brenda Fricker, Daniel Stern, Joe Pesci, Eddie Bracken.
Directed by Chris Columbus.

Home Alone 2 is virtually a remake of the original. Home Alone was one of the most successful comedies of all time - and so the formula is repeated, this time in New York City. John Hurt and Katherine O'Hara are the parents once again. Daniel Stern and Joe Pesci are the brainless criminals - and get as much comeuppance from Kevin this time as before. Additions to the screenplay are Eddie Bracken's kind owner of the toy shop in New York City and Brenda Fricker (Oscar winner for her role as the mother in My Left Foot) as the eccentric bird lady in Central Park. Macauley Culkin draws everyone in as Kevin - though he is prone to some precocious winks and eyebrow-raising at the audience. Tim Curry has a good role as the attendant at the New York Plaza Hotel.

The film was once again written by John Hughes and directed by Chris Columbus.

1.The popularity of the original - and the need for a remake? The audience appeal - adults, children?

2.The Chicago settings, the transition to New York City - Christmas time, the Hotel Plaza, shops, Central Park, the streets and apartments? The musical score?

3.The action and slapstick sequences? Editing, stunts, timing?

4.The family, the cousins at the home, the preparation for the holiday, the antagonism amongst the children, Uncle Frank and his dominance - and the shower sequence? Kevin's parents and the frantic life? The Christmas pageant, humiliating Kevin, Buzz and his mischief, having to make apologies? Kevin standing his ground? Being sent to his room? The repeat of the previous situation, the alarm clocks and sleeping in - but Kevin in the bus for the plane?

5.The trip to the airport, going to the plane, Kevin and his batteries, seeing the same coat as his father's, making the mistake, the confusion with the boarding passes, hurrying onto the plane? In the plane - and with the French tourist? New York, the realisation of what had happened? The parents in Florida, their discussion with the police - and that they never lost their luggage, touch wood? The holiday in Florida, the rain - and watching It's a Wonderful Life in Spanish?

6.Kevin in New York, ingenuity, the exhilaration from the taxi, watching the skyline? The Hotel Plaza, using his father's credit card? The assistant and his help - but suspicion? The room and its luxury, feasting and eating, the television and the gangster film, his taping the film? His later using the tape for the suspicious attendants and getting away from them?

7.The hotel staff, their suspicions, going into Kevin's room, the slapstick comedy with the tape? The parents and their confrontation of the attendants?

8.Kevin in New York, the streets, the toy shop, the friendliness with Mr Duncan, the gifts, the gift of the birds? The happy ending with the money saved, Mr Duncan and his kindness? Toys and gifts for all the family?

9.The bird lady and his wariness of her, the pigeons, her stern look? Meeting her in Central Park, talking with her? Her protecting him against the two criminals? Going to Carnegie Hall and her favourite spot? Her giving him a lesson in how to live his life? The gift of the birds?

10.Kevin and the bandits, their getting out of jail, their stupidity, seeing him in the street, the chase - and falling with the pearls? Their planning of the robbery of the toy shop? The various pursuits of Kevin, going to the house, Kevin outwitting them? The details of all the slapstick comedy, the pratfalls, the screen violence with the comic touch?

11.The happy resolution, his mother searching for him through the New York streets, the Christmas tree, Rockefeller Centre? Going back to the hotel? The presents for everyone?

12.The reasons for the popularity of the film in the United States and worldwide?