Disney +

Home Sweet Home Alone | Hollow Remake Is The Worst Christmas Present Imaginable

Published

2 years ago

December 6, 2021

If there was ever an argument against the merciless and never-ending re-hashing of classic film franchises, Home Sweet Home Alone is the smoking gun. The only point you need ever raise and the personification of everything wrong with corporate filmmaking. Utterly devoid of charm, creativity, or intelligence, this Disney+ original desecrates the legacy of Chris Columbus’ 1990 Christmas gem with a barrage of distasteful characters, lazily recycled plot elements, and fart jokes.

Max Mercer (Archie Yates) is a privileged child whose house is riddled with unwanted uncles, aunts, and cousins, and all he wants is some peace and quiet. Meanwhile, Jeff (Rob Delaney) and Pam (Ellie Kemper) are a struggling pair of young parents who are looking to sell their house to keep their young family afloat. When they find an antique doll worth over $200k, it seems as though their problems are solved. However, it looks as if Max has taken the doll for himself, meaning holiday hijinks are surely just around the corner.

Director Dan Mazer attempts to hit all the key beats of the 90′ original without any of the essential character development and emotional moments that made Columbus’ film a success. Max is a pale imitation of Kevin McCallister; a failed copy that retains only his least likeable elements (his smarminess, selfishness etc), without any of his quirks or sentimentality. Even Max’s familial problems are left entirely undeveloped and seem trivial compared to the hyperbolised chaos of Kevin’s kin. Regrettably, while Archie Yates is clearly trying his best, his performance ends up markedly wooden. However, the young performer has already proven his talent for comedic timing in Taika Waititi’s JoJo Rabbit, so this failure rests firmly on the shoulders of Mazer’s direction.

Yates is in good company, as the film doesn’t offer a single compelling performance. Even The Office veteran Ellie Kemper, who charmed viewers of later seasons as the strange-but-sweet Erin delivers a flat, lifeless performance as the ironically named Pam. Indeed, Pam and Jeff are the closest things to protagonists the film has, and it spends the majority of its time with them, leaving Max with very little time to develop a fulfilling arc. Furthermore, though the film positions them as the antagonists, their plight is inextricably more relatable and sympathetic than that of the greedy and brattish Kevin clone.

Home Sweet Home Alone completely misses the point of the original, and then remembers it in the final ten minutes, as it hastily tries to make us care about Max’s relationship with his Mum. This sluggish recycling of the 90′ film’s ending is made more apparent by the inclusion of John Williams’ iconic Home Alone theme, which is sad to hear against a backdrop of fart jokes and some of the laziest character writing in recent memory. This misguided tone is made even more stark by the profoundly unfunny pranks, which seem more vindictive than humorous this time around. Though the slapstick of the original film veered towards the cruel, the fact that Jeff and Pam have no intention of harming or robbing Max makes his sadistic torture of them altogether unpleasant to watch.

The unnecessary intertextuality of Home Sweet Home Alone only makes matters worse. The inclusion of Devin Ratray as Kevin’s brother Buzz as a local police officer is superficial and only serves to retroactively make the charming Kevin seem petty and vengeful, as he apparently pranks Buzz each year by calling in to the force to let them know a child is home alone. Making the protagonist of a nearly thirty-year-old film seem unlikeable without him ever appearing on-screen is quite an accomplishment, and not one Home Sweet Home Alone should be proud of.

However, this element did provide the film’s one and only laugh; in a recreation of the film-within-a-film in the 1990 original via a shallow remake that transposes the characters into a new sci-fi setting. Max’s family practically winks at the audience and asks why studios keep recycling the old classics, as they’re never as good as the original. That joke was a nice touch, though the amount of self-awareness apparently on display at Disney is both tear and laugh inducing.

Is this the worst film this year? Perhaps. Young kids may enjoy it for its slapstick gags and juvenile humour, but that’s about it. For anyone over five, it’s the kind of film you feel embarrassed to put on with your family after a Christmas roast. The kind that makes people doubt your taste in entertainment altogether and sees your remote privileges removed until next year. Perhaps “The Ghost of Home Alone Past” would’ve been a more apt title, as that’s what it feels like; the ghost of a better film. It’s a hollow shell that hits all the same beats and appropriates the same music and archetypical characters, but without any of the festive joy and witty commentary on middle-class family drama that made the original film so endearing. Give yourself the best Christmas present possible this year by skipping this nauseating cash grab.

FILM RATING

Related Topics:Archie Yates disney+Home Alone HomeSweetHomeAlone Remake Review

Up Next

The Matrix Resurrections | A Mind-Bending Sci-fi Romance

Don't Miss

Hawkeye Episodes 1 & 2 | Review

Nathanial Eker-Male

Click to comment

0 Comments

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

Disney

Disney’s Latest Star “Wish”

Published

6 days ago

November 27, 2023

Jacques van Zyl

Ariana DeBose as Asha in Wish (Disney)

Plot

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Wish” is an all-new musical-comedy welcoming audiences to the magical kingdom of Rosas, where Asha, a sharp-witted idealist, makes a wish so powerful that it is answered by a cosmic force—a little ball of boundless energy called Star. Together, Asha and Star confront a most formidable foe—the ruler of Rosas, King Magnifico—to save her community and prove that when the will of one courageous human connects with the magic of the stars, wondrous things can happen.

*Ariana Debose as Asha in Wish (Disney)*

Movie Review (no spoilers)

The film is inspired by Disney’s centennial, which ties together a central theme across most of the Disney-related stories — of wishes and dreams coming true. One can view it as the origin story for the wishing star, albeit a funny star. Disney delivers a feel good story filled with humor and the occasional teases and links to other Disney-related works. Ariana DeBose braces the big screen as the hero, Asha who discovers a sinister secret about King Magnifico and his use of the wishes.

Ariana’s performance performance is amazing and I enjoyed listening to the songs she performed. I foresee “This Wish” topping the charts at Spotify soon.

This Wish by Ariana DeBose (Spotify)

Chris Pine plays the part of King Magnifico and delivers a good performance as the villain. We hear him sing a song alongside Ariana, At All Costs.

At All Costs by Chris Pine & Ariana DeBose (Spotify)

The story delivers the usual fun characters that Disney brings along in all stories, amazing graphics of a magical world, and an amazing song library for everyone to listen to. This movie is excellent for young and old, delivering a feel-good movie for all. Wish is yet another treasure in the world of Disney.

I’m really excited for the next 100 years of Disney magic. The movie Wish has the potential to become a sequel, or even provide potential spin-offs exploring the wishes and dreams of others in the magical Disney Universe.

My wish is for more many more years of movie magic from Disney. What is yours?

My rating is a 4 out of 5 for Disney’s Wish. Watch at a cinema near you and join in the Disney centennial celebrations!

Wish Official Trailer (Disney)

FILM RATING

Disney +

‘Doctor Who: The Star Beast’: Review | A Delightful Cosmic Adventure

Published

1 week ago

November 23, 2023

Liam Dearden

This review was made possible by screeners for Doctor Who: The Star Beast. Doctor Who: The Star Beast releases on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK and Disney Plus in the rest of the world on November 25

Doctor Who has undoubtedly become a pop-culture phenomenon. With over 60 years of iconic history, the show continues to enthral audiences worldwide with its time-travelling adventures, dynamic characters and imaginative storylines. Now celebrating its Diamond anniversary, writer Russell T. Davies returns to spearhead the trio of hour-long specials and the new series with 15th Doctor Ncuti Gatwa starting this Christmas with “The Church on Ruby Road”. This new regeneration of the show looks to be the third new beginning, following the original classic run, from 1963 to 1989, and the modern revival, which began in 2005 as Davies delivers a brilliant start to the new era that ultimately kickstarts the 60th celebrations in style.

It’s been two years now since the exciting and surprising announcement that Russell T. Davies, the man who revived Doctor Who in 2005 after its 15-year hiatus and helped the show soar to incredible new heights, will be returning as showrunner for the 60th Anniversary and series beyond. Now, it’s time to find out what the future looks like. However, the wait is nearly over as we’re just a few days away till the Doctor returns to our screens with the first of three anniversary specials, celebrating 60 years of sci-fi prestige.

The first special, “The Star Beast,” premieres on Disney+ worldwide and on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK on Saturday, November 25. Check out our spoiler-free review below to see what Whovians can expect later this week.

The Doctor is caught in a fight to the death as a spaceship crash-lands in London. But as the battle wreaks havoc, destiny converges on the Doctor’s old friend Donna.

“The Star Beast” follows the Doctor as he tries to figure out why he’s regenerated back into this body and ultimately Why this face. Why now? Tennant, who was originally the 10th Doctor, left back in 2010. The episode, which premieres on Saturday, November 25, reunites fans with Tennant’s Doctor and his former companion, Donna Noble.

The first 60th-anniversary special truly is a return to form thanks to Russell’s writing and Rachel Talalay’s direction.”The Star Beast” is based on the eight-part 1980 Doctor Who Magazine/Marvel comic strip from Doctor Who Weekly written by Pat Mills, John Wagner, and drawn by Dave Gibbons and now The Meep makes the jump from the comic pages to TV screens across the globe. Watching “The Star Beast”, felt like something magical had returned to my Tv screen, which it has, I was grinning from ear to ear as this first 60th special is quintessential Doctor Who, It’s a special that encapsulates everything we love about Who especially from RTD’s era, that’s what truly made it great. Davies’ adaptation allows the show to embrace its already dedicated Whovians whilst also welcoming with open arms those who are new to the Whoniverse thanks to the special intro which recaps previous events. It also stays pretty faithful to the source material whilst bringing a unique flair thanks to Davies and weaves all of that into the Nobles’ story.

When Doctor Who’s 60th-anniversary was announced alongside Russell T. Davies’ return and the plans to make the special a trio of episodes – was exciting, the reveal that the Anniversary specials would be helmed by none other than returning cast members David Tennant and Catherine Tate excited me as my favourite duo would be back together again. how, you may ask, as after absorbing some of the Doctor’s regeneration energy during 2008’s “Journey’s End”, she experienced a biological meta-crisis, gaining much of the Doctor’s understanding and memories. The strain of having a Time Lord’s mind in a human body was ultimately just too much for Donna to handle, so the Doctor had to erase all of Donna’s memories of travelling in the TARDIS so that she could survive. However, The Doctor made one thing explicitly clear about Donna’s fate: if she ever remembers the Doctor, her mind will burn and she will die. There’s not much of the plot we can reveal of course as fear of being Exterminated.

THE DOCTOR & DONNA

David Tennant and Catherine Tate’s infectious and energetic energy throughout “The Star Beast” truly radiates from the screen. Both Tennant and Tate are exceptional once again as the Doctor and Donna. And it feels like no time has passed as they easily slip back into their roles, without missing a beat. Tate delivers her signature sarcasm and snark whilst also being a loving and supportive Mother to her daughter Rose (Yasmin Finney). Tennant as the Doctor is now wearing the face of an old favourite but this is most definitely a new man, however, Fans will notice many of his hallmark traits and mannerisms.

Having these two back truly made me feel like I was 13 again time travelling with the Doctor, this is what made me love the series in the first place. as Doctor Who helped shape my life and love for science-fiction and exploration.

A Family Affair!

Along for the ride in “The Star Beast” is Donna’s family, truly making it a family affair. Wilf (Bernard Cribbins) ended up very much loving the Doctor as much as his granddaughter did and It was a joy to see Jacqueline King as Donna’s mother Sylvia return especially her reunion with the Doctor, much to her delight.

Yasmin Finney, from Heartstopper, portrays Rose, the daughter of Donna and Shaun Noble. From the moment she appears on screen, Finney brings warmth and a new perspective to the episode and is a wonderful new addition to the show fitting right in with the Noble family.

THE ALIENS & ACTION

The Star Beast” also introduces Ruth Madeley as Shirley Anne Bingham, and while we can’t say much about her character yet, you’re certainly going to want to see more of her. Miriam Margolyes, a British icon, however, is a thrilling stand-out as the adorable voice of The Meep. I also enjoyed seeing the Wrarth Warriors.

Whovians will no doubt know that once upon a time the BBC made the sci-fi series with a lasting lifelong dream, which certainly has come true as this Science-Fiction spectacle has stood the test of time becoming fresh with each new regeneration. Gone are the days of bubble wrap and tin foil. “The Star Beast” now has the opportunity to blow on some fun and creative designs and explosive action setpieces thanks to its Disney-powered budget and partnership. Everything from its scope, scale, and VFX work has had a huge upgrade and the production and cinematography are next level, thanks to Talalay’s direction. We also get a nostagic return from composer Murray Gold whose score still gives me goosebumps. He returns bringing back familiar themes and motifts and provides a new updated dimaond rendition of the iconic opening theme. Doctor Who has never looked better.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Whilst Doctor Who is the most polished its ever been, “The Star Beast” never never forgets the humble beginnings it came from. The love Davies,Talalay, Tennant and Tate amongst the crew at Bad Wolf Studios have for Doctor Who is present throughout, especially with the numerous Easter eggs and nods that celebrate the show’s 60 years iconic history on television.

“The Star Beast” is a celebration of Doctor Who, filled with satisfying payoffs and the return of fan favourites Tennant and Tate. Its campy and compelling whilst featuring momemts of sentiment, high stakes, and above all its what Doctor Who does best. This is the type of episode that will have the whole family crowding around the TV espically now that it’s back on Saturdays, it’s also the type that will make the young and young at heart want to run around with sonic screwdrivers fighting monsters and ultimately save the world, and finally it’s the type that makes you believe in the magic of Doctor Who all over again!

However, “The Star Beast” is only the beginning of this 60th Anniversary adventure as we get Tennant and Tate back for two more hour-long specials. I’m very much looking forward to watching their reunion and adventures continue as we venture into the “Wild Blue Yonder”.

Doctor Who’s ‘The Star Beast’, the first of the 60th anniversary specials, arrives on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK and Disney Plus in the rest of the world on November 25

FILM RATING

Comic Book Movies

Marvel Studios’ Echo | Official Trailer — Disney + and Hulu

Maya Lopez must face her past, reconnect with her Native American roots and embrace the meaning of family and community if she ever hopes to move forward.

Published

1 month ago

November 3, 2023

Staff

Genre:

TV Mini Series

Release Date:

January 2024

Streaming:

Disney +, Hulu

Cast:

Alaqua Cox, Zahn McClarnon, Vincent D’Onofrio

Plot Summary:

Maya Lopez must face her past, reconnect with her Native American roots and embrace the meaning of family and community if she ever hopes to move forward.