Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (originally titled Alone Again) is the first sequel to the 1990 film Home Alone. It was written and produced by John Hughes and directed by Chris Columbus. It features Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, and Daniel Stern. Catherine O'Hara, John Heard, Devin Ratray, Kieran Culkin, Gerry Bamman, Tim Curry, Rob Schneider, Dana Ivey, and Brenda Fricker are also featured, and Eddie Bracken, Ally Sheedy, Bob Eubanks, and Donald Trump make cameo appearances in it.
The film was filmed in Winnteka and Oak Park, Illinois, O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Miami, and New York City (which was Culkin's hometown at the time). Also, it became the second most successful movie of 1992, earning over $173 million in revenue in the United States and over $358 million worldwide, but was badly received by critics.
The film was followed by Home Alone 3 in 1997, Home Alone 4 in 2002, Home Alone: The Holiday Heist in 2012, and Home Sweet Home Alone in 2021 - all without Culkin in the lead roles (and without any of the original characters in all except Home Alone 4).
Synopsis
A year after the events in the previous film, the McCallister family prepares to spend Christmas in Miami. Peter and Kate's youngest son, Kevin, finds that "there's no Christmas trees" there but palm trees instead, which bugs him. At the school's Christmas pageant, Kevin's oldest brother, Buzz, humiliates him during his solo, causing him to punch Buzz in the stomach, which makes him lose his balance, knock over the other choir members, and send one of the cardboard Christmas trees crashing down onto the pianist. Later, Buzz apologizes to Kevin and the rest of the family, but Kevin refuses to do so, and does not want to accept Buzz's apologies, and also reiterates his disgust with their decision to go to Miami before he storms up to the third-floor bedroom, wishing that he had his own money so he could go on his own vacation by himself. When Kate reminds him that he got his wish the year before and that maybe he'll get it again this year, he replies, "I hope so!"
The McCallisters accidentally oversleep on the day of the flight due to Peter accidentally resetting the clock radio. They hastily depart to O'Hare International Airport for the flight to Miami. While Kevin changes the batteries in his Talkboy, he follows a man wearing the same color overcoat as Peter toward a flight to New York City. Once in Miami, the McCallisters realize that he isn't there again and Kate faints after Peter shouts in disbelief "What?!" and the truth of the matter sinks into her mind herself.
In New York City, Kevin gets surprised by the appearance of a lady tending to pigeons before checking into the Plaza Hotel, which he had heard mentioned on a game show the night before, using Peter's credit card from his wallet and his Talkboy to make him sound like Peter. He passes by Donald Trump, then-owner of the hotel, who tells him the lobby is "down the hall and to the left". While there, he tours the city and visits Duncan's Toy Chest, where he meets the philanthropist owner, Mr. Duncan, who tells him that the proceeds from the Christmas sales will go to the Children's Hospital. After donating some money, Mr. Duncan allows him to take a pair of ceramic turtle doves as a gift from the store's Christmas tree before instructing him to give one to another person for friendship.
Before returning to the hotel, though, he runs into Marv and Harry, who had escaped from a prison in Chicago in a fish truck during a prison riot to continue their robberies in New York City, changing their name from the "Wet Bandits" to the "Sticky Bandits". Kevin manages to elude them, but when he gets back to the hotel, Mr. Hector, Cedric, the receptionist, and two security guards confront him about the stolen credit card. He hides in another room and uses a gangster movie he rented the night before to trick them into believing that an insane guest with a gun is in there. He escapes but runs into Marv and Harry once again; Marv takes his return ticket to Chicago, noting that it's for a round trip to Miami, and knows that he got on the wrong plane. Harry rips it up so that he can't get back home or to Miami. They gloat to him that they escaped from prison and tell him about their plans of breaking into Duncan's Toy Chest that night, unaware that he is recording their conversation with his Talkboy, before he flees by hiding in the back of a hansom cab.
Meanwhile, in a one-room motel in Miami, the McCallisters discover that Kevin has been found using Peter's credit card and is on the run. They manage to fly to New York City and once at the hotel, they confront the staff for letting Kevin check into there alone and then letting him escape. Kate decides to find him against the advice of Peter and the staff, while Mr. Hector gives them a complimentary suite. Before she leaves, Kate slaps him on the face for scaring Kevin away and trying to talk her out of going after him alone after she clearly stated, "The way I'm feeling right now, no mugger or murderer would dare mess with me."
Kevin discovers his Uncle Rob's house, which is being renovated. While wandering the streets, he gets scared of a few homeless people, two prostitutes, and finally a taxi driver when he tries to get a ride. He then heads into Central Park. There, he meets the pigeon lady again, only to get his foot caught in between a rock. After she frees him, they watch a Christmas concert in a loft above Carnegie Hall. He discovers how her life has fallen apart and how she has dealt with it by taking care of the pigeons in the park. He promises to be her friend, and she smiles.
When Kevin walks by the Children's Hospital, he sees a sick child in a window, who waves to him, and he returns it with a look of compassion. After remembering what Mr. Duncan and Marv had told him, he remarks that a person can mess with a lot of things, but not with kids on Christmas. With that, he returns to Uncle Rob's house to prepare a series of booby traps throughout it.
Kevin arrives at Duncan's Toy Chest during the theft and photographs Marv and Harry before he shatters the store's window and sets off the burglar alarm by throwing a brick with a note to Mr. Duncan attached through it. They chase him and spring every booby trap in Uncle Rob's house as he calls 911 from a phone booth. They trap him when he slips on a patch of ice and take him to Central Park, where they decide to kill him. When the pigeon lady discovers them, Harry tries to shoot her, but his pistol is full of varnish and won't fire. She throws a bucket of birdseed on them which causes the pigeons to attack them while Kevin escapes. Shortly after, he sets off some Chinese fireworks he bought earlier to signal the NYPD. Marv and Harry are arrested and the stolen money is recovered; furthermore, the police also have Kevin's photos and cassette tape to use as evidence against them, and Marv digs himself and Harry deeper into admitting their guilt by stupidly telling the police they recently broke out of prison and hid out in Duncan's Toy Chest until after closing time in order to rob it, much to Harry's increasing anger and frustration as he tries to get Marv to shut up on the matter. At Duncan's Toy Chest, Mr. Duncan finds Kevin's note and realizes his role in stopping the theft.
Meanwhile, Kate is looking for Kevin in Times Square, and comes across two police officers. While talking to them, she mentions and discovers his fondness for Christmas trees, and asks them to take her to Rockefeller Center. Her intuition proves correct, as she finds him in front of the tree there. They reunite and reconcile; as they return to the hotel, she tells him that everyone else did not like the palm trees and having Christmas in Miami either.
A truckload of gifts from Duncan's Toy Chest comes to the hotel on Christmas Day as a reward for Kevin's foiling of the theft, and Buzz suggests that had it not been for him getting on the wrong plane, they would not be in the suite with the Christmas tree and gifts in the first place. So, he decides to let him open the first gift as a sign of reconciliation. While everyone else is opening theirs, Kevin runs out to give the pigeon lady one of the two turtle doves that Mr. Duncan gave him and reaffirms his promise. Meanwhile, Buzz receives his room service bill from his original stay, a service charge of $967.43. He shows it to Peter, who becomes outraged and suddenly shouts out, "Kevin! You spent $967 on room service?!" Kevin, now dreading what's to come, immediately runs back to the hotel while the film ends.
Songs
Title | Performed by |
---|---|
"All Alone on Christmas" | Darlene Love |
"My Christmas Tree" | The Home Alone Children's Choir |
"A Holly Jolly Christmas" | Alan Jackson |
"Christmas Star" "Home Alone Christmas Medley" "Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas" | |
"Jingle Bell Rock" | Bobby Helms |
"Sleigh Ride" | TLC |
"Cool Jerk" | The Capitols |
"It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" | Johnny Mathis |
"It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" | Andy Williams |
"Christmas All Over Again" | Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers |
"Somewhere in My Memory" | Bette Midler |
"Sombras de otros tiempos" ("Somewhere in My Memory") ("Shadows of Other Times") (Spanish version) |
Ana Belén |
Soundtrack listing
- "All Alone on Christmas" - Darlene Love (4:14)
- "A Holly Jolly Christmas" - Alan Jackson (2:14)
- "Somewhere in My Memory" - Bette Midler, composed by John Williams, lyrics by Leslie Bricusse (3:58)
- "My Christmas Tree" - Home Alone Children's Choir, composed by Alan Menken, lyrics by Jack Feldman (2:35)
- "Sleigh Ride" - TLC (3:44)
- "Silver Bells" - Atlantic Starr (4:15)
- "Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas" - John Williams (performed by the Boston Pops) (2:40)
- "Jingle Bell Rock" - Bobby Helms (2:09)
- "Cool Jerk (Christmas Mix)" - The Capitols (2:39)
- "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" - Johnny Mathis (2:14)
- "Christmas Star" - John Williams (3:16)
- "O Come All Ye Faithful" - Lisa Fischer (3:26) (does not appear in the film; bonus track)
Score album
In addition, a CD with excerpts from the score by John Williams was issued in 1992.[1] The track listing is as follows:
- "Somewhere in My Memory" (3:49)
- "Home Alone" (2:01)
- "We Overslept Again" (2:46)
- "Christmas Star" (3:18)
- "Arrival in New York" (1:41)
- "Plaza Hotel"/"Duncan's Toy Chest" (3:45)
- "Concierge"/"Race to the Room" (2:04)
- "Star of Bethlehem" (3:28)
- "The Thieves Return" (4:35)
- "Appearance of the Pigeon Lady" (3:19)
- "Christmas at Carnegie Hall" ("O Come All Ye Faithful"/"O Little Town of Bethlehem"/Silent Night") (5:02)
- "Into the Park" (3:49)
- "Haunted Brownstone" (3:01)
- "Christmas Star"/"Preparing the Trap" (4:17)
- "To the Plaza Presto" (3:22)
- "Reunion at Rockefeller Center" (2:36)
- "Kevin's Booby Traps" (3:41)
- "Finale" (3:55)
- "Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas" (2:51)
Special edition album
For the film's tenth anniversary, Varèse Sarabande released a two-disc special edition soundtrack, containing the previously noted cues along with additional compositions that were left out from the final film.[2]
The complete track listing is as follows:[2]
- Disc One
- Home Alone (Main Title) (2:07)
- This Year's Wish (1:47)
- We Overslept Again/Holiday Flight (3:19)
- Separate Vacations* (1:58)
- Arrival in New York** (2:59)
- The Thieves Return (3:28)
- Plaza Hotel (3:04)
- Concierge (1:31)
- Distant GoodNights (Christmas Star) (Lyrics by Leslie Bricusse) (2:05)
- A Day in the City (:59)
- Duncan's Toy Chest (2:41)
- Turtle Doves (1:29)
- To the Plaza, Presto (3:27)
- Race to the Room/Hot Pursuit (4:08)
- Haunted Brownstone (3:02)
- Appearance of the Pigeon Lady (3:21)
- Christmas at Carnegie Hall (O Come, All Ye Faithful/O Little Town of Bethlehem/Silent Night) (5:15)
- Disc Two
- Christmas Star - Preparing the Trap (Lyrics by Leslie Bricusse) (4:22)
- Another Christmas in the Trenches (2:33)
- Running Through Town (1:16)
- Luring the Thieves* (4:02)
- Kevin's Booby Traps (7:23)
- Down the Rope/Into the Park (5:06)
- Reunion at Rockefeller Center/It's Christmas (5:21)
- Finale (2:00)
- We Wish You a Merry Christmas (Traditional) and Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas (Lyrics by Leslie Bricusse) (2:51)
- End Title (1:32)
- Holiday Flight (alternate) (2:32)
- Suite from "Angels with Filthy Souls II" (:56)
- Somewhere in My Memory (Lyrics by Leslie Bricusse) (3:57)
- Star of Bethlehem (Lyrics by Leslie Bricusse) (3:32)
- Christmas Star (Lyrics by Leslie Bricusse) (3:23)
- Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas (orchestra) (2:23)
Video game
As was with the original, a video game was released in late 1992-early 1993, around the time of the film's release in theaters. Released for NES, SNES, Game Boy, and DOS, the game plays like the film's plot, with attacks named after foods Kevin ate while staying at the Plaza Hotel, such as Pizza Slices, Whole Pie, Candy Canes, and Cookies.
Home video releases
Notes
Edits
- On the 20th Television prints:
- After the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the montage where Kevin visits the various landmarks around New York City, including the top of the World Trade Center, was cut. It has since been reinstated as of 2020.
- The scene in Duncan's Toy Chest is shortened.
As of 2020, on the Disney Media Distribution prints, the above scenes have been reinstated.
- On the Christmas Day 2019 airing on CBC, Donald Trump's cameo was cut for time.
Cast
Actor/actress | Character(s) |
---|---|
Macaulay Culkin | Kevin McCallister |
Joe Pesci | Harry Lyme |
Daniel Stern | Marv Murchins |
Catherine O'Hara | Kate McCallister |
John Heard | Peter McCallister |
Devin Ratray | Buzz McCallister |
Hillary Wolf | Megan McCallister |
Maureen Shay | Linnie McCallister |
Michael Maronna | Jeff McCallister |
Gerry Bamman | Frank McCallister |
Terrie Snell | Leslie McCallister |
Jedidiah Cohen | Rod McCallister |
Senta Moses | Tracy McCallister |
Daiana Campeanu | Sondra McCallister |
Kieran Culkin | Fuller McCallister |
Anna Slotky | Brooke McCallister |
Tim Curry | Mr. Hector |
Brenda Fricker | Pigeon lady |
Eddie Bracken | Mr. Duncan |
Dana Ivey | Receptionist |
Rob Schneider | Bellhop |
Leigh Zimmerman | Fashion model |
Ralph Foody Clare Hoak |
Gangsters |
Monica Devereun | Hotel operator |
Bob Eubanks (host) Rip Taylor (celebrity #1) Jaye P. Morgan (celebrity #2) Jimmie Walker (celebrity #3) Patricia Devereux (contestant #1) Aimee Devereux (contestant #2) |
Ding-Dang-Dong |
A.M. Columbus Joe Liss |
Skycaps - O'Hare |
Teri McEvoy | Agent #3 - New York Gate/O'Hare |
Ally Sheedy | New York Ticket Agent |
Harry Hutchinson | Ticket Taker #1 |
Clarke P. Devereux | Ticket Taker #2 Evidence Specialist |
Sandra Macat Venessia Valentino |
Flight attendants |
Andre Lachaumette | Man on plane |
Rick Shafer | Peter Look Alike |
Rod Sell | Officer Bennett |
Ron Canada | Cop in Times Square |
Cedric Young | Cop in Central Park |
William Dambra Mark Morettini |
Arresting cops in Central Park |
Fred Krause | Cliff |
James Cole | Security Guard |
Donald Trump | Self |
Warren Rice | Doorman |
Thomas Civitano | Plaza marketing director |
Daniel Dassin | Waiter |
Donna Black | Health club woman |
Abdoulaye N'Gom | Pearl vendor |
Peter Pantaleo Michael Hansen |
Airport van drivers |
Michael Goldfinger | Limo driver |
Mario Todisco | Cab driver |
Anthony Cannata | Sergeant in toy store |
Eleanor Columbus | Little girl in toy store |
Karen Giordano Fran McGee |
Pedestrians |
Leonard Tepper | Sleeping man |
Kevin Thomas | Geeky kid |
Al Cerullo | Helicopter pilot |
Uncredited | |
David Boston | Man unloading truck |
Dan Buckman | Central Park Ice Skater |
Laurence S. Chess | Parent at Christmas pageant |
Chris Columbus Eleanor Columbus |
Toy store customers |
Jonathon Gentry | Choir Member #1 |
Eric Ian | Kid in airport |
Karen Jensen-Clark | Woman with shopping bag |
Jeffrey Landman | Choir Member #2 |
Eden Riegel | Choir Member #3 |
Mike Sode | Airport College Student |
Paul Zimmerman | Pedestrian |
References
See also
External links
- Home Alone Wiki: Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
- Home Alone 2: Lost in New York at the Internet Movie Database
- Home Alone 2: Lost in New York at Rotten Tomatoes
- Home Alone 2: Lost in New York at RetroJunk.com
- Home Alone 2: Lost in New York at TV Tropes
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