Home Alone 4
Encyclopedia
Home Alone 4, also known as Home Alone 4: Taking Back the House, is a 2002 American made-for-television
family/Christmas film directed by Rod Daniel
. It is the fourth and final installment in the Home Alone
franchise. The film brings back several of the main characters from the first two films including Kevin McCallister
, but with all the roles played by different actors. The plot revolves around Kevin (Mike Weinberg
) trying to defend his future stepmother's house from Marv (French Stewart
) and his wife Vera (Missi Pyle
).
Daniel Stern
, who played Marv in the first two films, was approached to reprise his role in Home Alone 4. Stern quickly declined, calling it "an insult, total garbage".
, that they are hosting the visit of a royal family and invites everyone to spend Christmas with him and Natalie. After initially refusing, Kevin takes his father up on his offer after being tormented by Buzz when they were both home alone.
Kevin enjoys life at Natalie's mansion, until he goes into the security room, where he runs into Mr. Prescott. While Natalie and Peter are away, Kevin notices his old nemesis Marv and new sidekick Vera outside the house. Kevin drives them away by flooding the house, but Peter and Natalie arrive while Kevin is cleaning up and Peter doesn't believe Kevin's explanation. He attempts to use the security camera footage to prove himself, but discovers that the camera had been turned off and is caught by Mr. Prescott, who Kevin now believes to be Marv and Vera's ally.
At a party for the royal family, Kevin notices Marv and Vera dressed up as caterers. Kevin has them fall out and break his bedroom window, then has Mr. Prescott frozen in ice. The royal family are unable to attend the party because their flight was cancelled so Peter and Natalie instead announce their engagement. When Kevin breaks his promise not to mess up the special occasion, Peter gets mad and believes that Kevin is trying to end his relationship with Natalie.
Since no one believes him about the heist, Kevin decides to deal with matters himself, and sets booby traps for Marv and Vera and locks Mr. Prescott in the basement. But then he discovers Marv and Vera's real ally is actually Molly, who turns out to be Marv's mother. Kevin gets locked in the basement; after apologizing to Mr. Prescott for misjudging him (and vice-versa), Kevin manages to escape through the dumbwaiter
. He then traps Marv stuck under the dumbwaiter and using his traps on Marv and Vera, then Molly appears and Kevin then traps her in the elevator and he then runs to the bedroom. Marv heads to the bedroom and falls for a trap which involves shoes near a bed and caught under a shelf. Kevin then plays a recording of Marv, making it sound like he's insulting Vera, which causes her to break up with him. Marv then gets hit by Kevin's electric aircraft. Marv and Vera are then tricked by Kevin with a secret wall switch, end up swinging from a chandelier, fall and are knocked unconscious. Molly, having escaped, grabs Kevin, but Mr. Prescott knocks her out with a serving tray then him and Kevin call the police.
As Peter, Kate, Buzz and Megan arrive, they and Kevin chase Marv and Vera out of the house and trip them up. The royal family and Natalie arrive and Natalie is confused when she sees Marv, Vera and Molly getting arrested. Prescott resigns and the royal family choose to spend their Christmas with the McCallisters instead of Natalie. Peter then breaks up with her and Natalie hyperventilates. The McCallisters embrace as the film ends.
because in the original Home Alone film Kevin is claimed to be 8 years old and in Home Alone 2
, Kevin tells a hotel manager he is 10 years old. In Home Alone 4, Kevin tells his mother he is 9 years old, making Home Alone 4 an Interquel. However, no official announcement has confirmed this and there are an infamous amount of continuity errors associated with this idea.
In the original ending, Kevin's parents did not get back together. His father stayed with Natalie, and his mother started dating a police officer who turned out to be Marv's younger, more honest brother. This was changed when the producers decided they wanted the film to set up a TV series, and so Kevin's parents did get back together at the end, while the police officer was deleted altogether from the script.
Home Alone 4: Taking Back the House currently has no score on the tomatometer but has a 41% audience rating. Críticisms were based on how Home Alone 4 doesn't seem to fit into the same chronological timeline as the first two movies and the film's inferior cast and writing.
Television movie
A television film is a feature film that is a television program produced for and originally distributed by a television network, in contrast to...
family/Christmas film directed by Rod Daniel
Rod Daniel
Rod Daniel is an American film director. He has directed the films Teen Wolf, Home Alone 4: Taking Back The House, Like Father Like Son, K-9, The Super, and Beethoven's 2nd.-Films Directed:...
. It is the fourth and final installment in the Home Alone
Home Alone
Home Alone is a 1990 American Christmas comedy film written and produced by John Hughes and directed by Chris Columbus. The film stars Macaulay Culkin as Kevin McCallister, an eight-year-old boy, who is mistakenly left behind when his family flies to Paris for their Christmas vacation...
franchise. The film brings back several of the main characters from the first two films including Kevin McCallister
Kevin McCallister
Kevin McCallister is the main protagonist from the films Home Alone, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, and Home Alone 4 in the Home Alone franchise. Kevin is played by Macaulay Culkin in the first two films, but in Home Alone 4, Kevin is played by Mike Weinberg. Kevin is not featured in Home Alone 3,...
, but with all the roles played by different actors. The plot revolves around Kevin (Mike Weinberg
Mike Weinberg
Michael Andrew Weinberg is an American former child actor.-Biography:Weinberg was born in Los Angeles, California, the second son of Dana and Larry Weinberg, a public relations executive. He is the younger brother of actor Matt Weinberg...
) trying to defend his future stepmother's house from Marv (French Stewart
French Stewart
Milton French Stewart , better known by his stage name French Stewart, is an American actor, best known for his role as Harry Solomon on the 1990s sitcom 3rd Rock from the Sun.-Early life:...
) and his wife Vera (Missi Pyle
Missi Pyle
Andrea Kay "Missi" Pyle is an American actress and singer. She has appeared in several films, including Galaxy Quest, Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, Big Fish, 50 First Dates, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay...
).
Daniel Stern
Daniel Stern (actor)
Daniel Jacob Stern is an American film and television actor. He is known for his roles in the Hollywood films C.H.U.D., Diner, City Slickers and the first two Home Alone films, and as the narrator for the television series The Wonder Years.-Early life:Stern was born in Bethesda, Maryland to a...
, who played Marv in the first two films, was approached to reprise his role in Home Alone 4. Stern quickly declined, calling it "an insult, total garbage".
Plot
Peter is about to get divorced from Kate and announces that he's living with his new and rich girlfriend, Natalie. He tells his three children, including KevinKevin McCallister
Kevin McCallister is the main protagonist from the films Home Alone, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, and Home Alone 4 in the Home Alone franchise. Kevin is played by Macaulay Culkin in the first two films, but in Home Alone 4, Kevin is played by Mike Weinberg. Kevin is not featured in Home Alone 3,...
, that they are hosting the visit of a royal family and invites everyone to spend Christmas with him and Natalie. After initially refusing, Kevin takes his father up on his offer after being tormented by Buzz when they were both home alone.
Kevin enjoys life at Natalie's mansion, until he goes into the security room, where he runs into Mr. Prescott. While Natalie and Peter are away, Kevin notices his old nemesis Marv and new sidekick Vera outside the house. Kevin drives them away by flooding the house, but Peter and Natalie arrive while Kevin is cleaning up and Peter doesn't believe Kevin's explanation. He attempts to use the security camera footage to prove himself, but discovers that the camera had been turned off and is caught by Mr. Prescott, who Kevin now believes to be Marv and Vera's ally.
At a party for the royal family, Kevin notices Marv and Vera dressed up as caterers. Kevin has them fall out and break his bedroom window, then has Mr. Prescott frozen in ice. The royal family are unable to attend the party because their flight was cancelled so Peter and Natalie instead announce their engagement. When Kevin breaks his promise not to mess up the special occasion, Peter gets mad and believes that Kevin is trying to end his relationship with Natalie.
Since no one believes him about the heist, Kevin decides to deal with matters himself, and sets booby traps for Marv and Vera and locks Mr. Prescott in the basement. But then he discovers Marv and Vera's real ally is actually Molly, who turns out to be Marv's mother. Kevin gets locked in the basement; after apologizing to Mr. Prescott for misjudging him (and vice-versa), Kevin manages to escape through the dumbwaiter
Dumbwaiter
Dumbwaiter may refer to:* Dumbwaiter , a freight elevator or lift between building floors* Lazy Susan, a small rotating table or set of cabinets used for serving food* An auxiliary serving table or cart....
. He then traps Marv stuck under the dumbwaiter and using his traps on Marv and Vera, then Molly appears and Kevin then traps her in the elevator and he then runs to the bedroom. Marv heads to the bedroom and falls for a trap which involves shoes near a bed and caught under a shelf. Kevin then plays a recording of Marv, making it sound like he's insulting Vera, which causes her to break up with him. Marv then gets hit by Kevin's electric aircraft. Marv and Vera are then tricked by Kevin with a secret wall switch, end up swinging from a chandelier, fall and are knocked unconscious. Molly, having escaped, grabs Kevin, but Mr. Prescott knocks her out with a serving tray then him and Kevin call the police.
As Peter, Kate, Buzz and Megan arrive, they and Kevin chase Marv and Vera out of the house and trip them up. The royal family and Natalie arrive and Natalie is confused when she sees Marv, Vera and Molly getting arrested. Prescott resigns and the royal family choose to spend their Christmas with the McCallisters instead of Natalie. Peter then breaks up with her and Natalie hyperventilates. The McCallisters embrace as the film ends.
Continuity/Chronological Order
The film is believed to be set inbetween the events of Home Alone and Home Alone 2Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York is a 1992 American Christmas comedy film written and produced by John Hughes and directed by Chris Columbus. It is the second film in the Home Alone series and the direct sequel to Home Alone. The film stars Macaulay Culkin in the lead role as Kevin McCallister, while...
because in the original Home Alone film Kevin is claimed to be 8 years old and in Home Alone 2
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York is a 1992 American Christmas comedy film written and produced by John Hughes and directed by Chris Columbus. It is the second film in the Home Alone series and the direct sequel to Home Alone. The film stars Macaulay Culkin in the lead role as Kevin McCallister, while...
, Kevin tells a hotel manager he is 10 years old. In Home Alone 4, Kevin tells his mother he is 9 years old, making Home Alone 4 an Interquel. However, no official announcement has confirmed this and there are an infamous amount of continuity errors associated with this idea.
Cast
- Mike WeinbergMike WeinbergMichael Andrew Weinberg is an American former child actor.-Biography:Weinberg was born in Los Angeles, California, the second son of Dana and Larry Weinberg, a public relations executive. He is the younger brother of actor Matt Weinberg...
as Kevin McCallisterKevin McCallisterKevin McCallister is the main protagonist from the films Home Alone, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, and Home Alone 4 in the Home Alone franchise. Kevin is played by Macaulay Culkin in the first two films, but in Home Alone 4, Kevin is played by Mike Weinberg. Kevin is not featured in Home Alone 3,...
. - French StewartFrench StewartMilton French Stewart , better known by his stage name French Stewart, is an American actor, best known for his role as Harry Solomon on the 1990s sitcom 3rd Rock from the Sun.-Early life:...
as Marv, Vera's husband. - Clare CareyClare CareyClare Carey is a film and television actress.-Background:Carey was born at a Catholic mission in Zimbabwe where her father and mother were serving...
as Kate McCallister, Kevin, Buzz and Megan's mother. - Jason BegheJason BegheJason Beghe is an American film and television actor and critic of Scientology. As a young man he attended the Collegiate School in New York City, where he became best friends with John F. Kennedy, Jr. and David Duchovny. Beghe is married and lives in Los Angeles, California.Beghe starred in the...
as Peter McCallister, Kevin, Buzz and Megan's father. - Gideon Jacobs as Buzz McCallister, Kevin and Megan's brother.
- Chelsea Russo as Megan McCallister, Kevin and Buzz's sister.
- Missi PyleMissi PyleAndrea Kay "Missi" Pyle is an American actress and singer. She has appeared in several films, including Galaxy Quest, Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, Big Fish, 50 First Dates, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay...
as Vera, Marv's wife. - Joanna GoingJoanna GoingJoanna C. Going is an American actress.-Early life and education:Born in Washington, D.C., she is the oldest of six children of Lorraine M...
as Natalie, Peter's girlfriend and Kevin's about-to-be-stepmother - Erick AvariErick AvariErick Avari is an Indian American television, film and theater actor known for his roles in various science-fiction serial productions.-Early life:...
as Mr. Prescott, the butler. - Barbara BabcockBarbara BabcockBarbara Babcock is an American character actress. She is perhaps best known for her roles as Grace Gardner on Hill Street Blues for which she won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress—Drama Series in 1981 and her role as Dorothy Jennings on Dr...
as Molly, the maid and Marv's mother. - Lisa King as Queen
- Craig Geldenhuys as Prince
- Andre Roothman as King
TV Series Pilot / Alternate Ending
The producers had hoped that this movie would lead to a Home Alone TV series, several of the main cast members had clauses in their contracts that would have bought them back for such a series. This movie failed to perform up to expectations in the ratings, and in-turn the series was never comissioned.In the original ending, Kevin's parents did not get back together. His father stayed with Natalie, and his mother started dating a police officer who turned out to be Marv's younger, more honest brother. This was changed when the producers decided they wanted the film to set up a TV series, and so Kevin's parents did get back together at the end, while the police officer was deleted altogether from the script.
Critical Reception
Home Alone 4: Taking Back the House received extremely negative reviews from critics and fans alike. At Rotten TomatoesRotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...
Home Alone 4: Taking Back the House currently has no score on the tomatometer but has a 41% audience rating. Críticisms were based on how Home Alone 4 doesn't seem to fit into the same chronological timeline as the first two movies and the film's inferior cast and writing.