Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

SAM'S RANKING: 4 out of 10

Disappointing sequel has Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) stranded in New York during Christmas after getting on the wrong flight. He comes face-to-face with the two burglars (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern), who have broken out of prison, and prepares to defend a toy store.

This is basically an exact duplicate of the first film, as it goes exactly where the last film went. This time Brenda Fricker is in Roberts Blossom's place as a homeless woman who feeds pigeons in Central Park. She manages to keep the story afloat, but it's still a disappointment.

Even the slapstick, while funny, goes extremely over-the-top. In fact, some of it is not funny! This is a sequel you'll want to miss!

Home Alone

SAM'S RANKING: 9 out of 10

Kevin McAllister (Macaulay Culkin), the youngest child in his family, is often seen as a pest by his family, and as a result wishes that his family would go away. His wish comes true when his family accidentally leaves him home alone during Christmas. However, with two bumbling burglars (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) and a creepy old man (Roberts Blossom) in the neighborhood, Kevin soon discovers that being alone is not as fun as he thought.

The world's highest-grossing comedy plays out in an interesting way, keeping the humor at a minimum during the first half of the movie, and then letting it all out toward the end. The final half hour of the movie contains some of the funniest scenes ever filmed, as the kid fends off two burglars with booby traps.

But the movie also sends out a good message. It portrays the youngest child in the family as the victim, as some members of his family say some pretty mean things to him. Probably the best scene is where Old Man Marley, a creepy neighbor, reveals his destroyed relationship with his son to Kevin in a chapel.

Either way, "Home Alone" is a movie that will have you keeling over from laughter.