#HomeAloneAgain: Macaulay Culkin returns for Google Assistant ad
What's the story
The Christmas season is upon us and there is no denying that the 1990 movie Home Alone remains one of the most loved holiday movies of all times, globally. With festivities and magic in the air, this year, Google has decided to tap into the popularity of the film and its nostalgia by recreating the film's most iconic sequences via advertising Google Assistant products.
Movie plot
Film follows the story of a mischievous boy, Kevin McAllister
The film follows the story of a mischievous boy, Kevin McAllister, played by Macaulay Culkin. He is accidentally left behind while his parents and family go on a vacation. Home alone, Kevin begins to have fun around the house until he realizes that being the man of the house has its responsibilities when he has to ingeniously defend his home against two 'Wet Bandits'.
Details
Ad shows us Culkin with Google Assistant powered devices
The Home Alone Again ad shows a grown-up Culkin with Google Assistant powered devices. Macaulay has Google note he's out of aftershave, remind him to clean sheets, turn down the temperature. He also monitors the delivery guy through a Google-assisted camera. Culkin is also helped by Google in 'Operation Kevin', to secure the lock, and help with the fake dance to discourage the bandits.
Twitter Post
Google flaunts how being home alone is easy
Turns out it’s a lot easier to defend your house from bandits when you have the Google Assistant. Take it from @IncredibleCulk. #HeyGoogle pic.twitter.com/9OifLkJHOP
— Google (@Google) December 19, 2018
Reference
Devices, shown in ad, tie in with the movie sequences
The devices, shown in the ad, tie in with the movie sequences. The Google Home Hub is used to turn down the temperature by 2 degrees, avoiding the movie's frightening encounter with the fire grate in the basement. The Home Mini features, remind Kevin to clean the sheets and the Nest Hello door camera lets him monitor the delivery boy while watching television.
Easter eggs
Easter Egg questions for Google Assistant
Apart from the devices in the ad, Google has some Home Alone-themed limited time Easter eggs. If we ask Google how much we owe it, it replies 'Keep the change, you filthy animal'. Forgetting something is replied with the iconic Kevin scream. Saying 'It's me Snakes. I got the stuff' creates a dialogue from the film Kevin watches, Angels with Filthy Souls.
Do you know?
Recreate some scenes from the movie
Besides these, saying 'The wet bandits are here' triggers a scene from the movie, where Kevin defends the house. Saying 'I'm the man of the house' replays the famous scene where Kevin puts on aftershave and screams when it burns.
Opinion
Why 'Home Alone' and Google tie-up makes sense
Home Alone, which turns 28, is a beloved movie and remains as popular with search interest increasing 1,900% last year. Google rides this popularity by tying their products with the film and why not, after all, Google Assistant devices are smart holiday gifts. Their message 'Make Google do it' ties in well, as Google Assistant would have made being home alone easier for Kevin.