Over 30 years later Home Alone 2: Lost In New York has since become a beloved sequel, despite it rehashing a lot from the first Home Alone. There are those that cherish it and rewatch it every holiday season alongside the original. Similar to the first film, a big factor that plays into that is the traps.

Home Alone 2 takes the idea of a house of traps and dials it up to eleven. Kevin goes full-on serial killer at times due to the should-be-fatal nature of these traps. Still, Harry, Marv, and other victims continued to nail the slapstick comedy and make viewers hold their sides in laughter.

Updated on December 4th, 2022 by Melody MacReady: When it comes to sequels, Home Alone 2: Lost In New York continues to be a solid companion piece to the original. For some fans, it arguably does some things better than the first and one of those things is the famous traps that result in slapstick comedy at some of its finest. A majority of the traps featured in Home Alone 2 are a showcase of what Kevin McCallister is capable of because they would without a doubt result in the deaths of Harry and Marv. That's part of the charm, however, with the brutality of the traps not resulting in any blood or gore making the traps even funnier than before and some being better than others.

Losing His Marbles

Harry and Marv lying on the sidewalk with marbles in Home Alone 2 Lost In New York (1991)

Even on the run on foot, Kevin is still able to conjure up a trap for Harry and Marv. He purchases pearl necklaces and breaks them to make a layer of the deadly orbs on the ground behind him which, of course, Harry and Marv run over and perform a classic pratfall that lets the viewer know the slapstick is definitely back.

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It's essentially identical to the toy cars from the first film, but it's still enjoyable to see. It even has some nice views of the New York City streets, giving it some flavor even if it's not as funny as the pratfall from the first Home Alone.

Merry Christmas, Ya Filthy Animal!

Tim Curry as the Concierge with the staff inside Kevin's room in Home Alone 2: Lost In New York (1991)

The best new cast member of Home Alone 2 by far is Tim Curry in one of his best roles as the Concierge of the Plaza Hotel. He stole Home Alone 2 in nearly every scene, even getting a trap from Kevin. Harking back to the first movie, Kevin plays the Angels With Filthier Souls VHS.

It's actually even funnier than the scene in the first movie; this is mostly due to making Tim Curry yell "I love you" to a person who isn't there. Seeing the concierge and other staff dive for their life from fake gun sounds and then crawl away military style is too funny.

Marv Is The Canvas

Split image of Harry going through the paint trap in Home Alone 2 Lost In New York

Even Jigsaw would be jealous of Kevin's planning in Home Alone 2 because Kevin was able to perfectly predict that Marv would fall down a hole then go right for a puddle of slime that would cause him to collide with a shelf of paint cans that would cover him in paint.

It's still a fun trap to witness, especially when Marv starts to dance in an attempt to keep himself from falling. Although, anybody who has had to deal with paint are likely twitching at the idea of all that odorous paint getting into Marv's eyes, mouth, nose, and body hair.

A Classic Door Trap

The tool bag opening up in Home Alone 2 Lost In New York (1991)

Harry thinks he has Kevin figured out so instead of opening the door normally, he thinks to kick open the door and avoid a trap. Except, Kevin figured that out too and rigged a bag of various heavy-duty tools to open up and pour all over Harry in a trap that is one of Kevin's most deadly in the franchise.

This isn't just a few small wrenches and screwdrivers, it's a collection of large metal tools that would have embedded themselves into Harry's skull. Still, it's fun to see both Harry and Marv play on the formula and still result in a well-executed pratfall that is given icing on the cake in the form of the biggest wrench of the bunch falling last.

What A Hole

Split image of Marv falling through and staring up at the hole in Home Alone 2 Lost In New York (1991)

Similar to the car trap in the first film, this is a trap that will make any adult question how Marv's eyesight actually is. The bandit somehow misses that the entire floor for the foyer is completely gone, but his genuinely impactful fall and scream make up for it.

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This is actually one of the few times when one of the duo experiences actual bodily harm and continues to feel it. It leads to a humorous quote from Marv when he cracks his back and points out his unfortunate entrance by saying, "Wow. What a hole." Almost as if Marv is as impressed by Kevin's skills as the viewer is.

What's That Sound?

What's That Sound - Home Alone 2

As if they haven't learned to not touch any doorknobs, Harry attempts to open a door only to hear crashing on the other side. Let's be honest here: the toolbox staying upright as it falls down the stairs makes zero sense.

That's okay because seeing Marv and Harry get slammed into a wall by the box and door. A little Looney Tunes in nature, but Home Alone has never aimed for realism, so it still works. And to answer Harry's question, "That was the sound of a tool chest, falling down the stairs." Harry and Marv are known for their funny quotes and this is just one of many across both movies.

Harry Falls With Style

Harry falling towards the street in Home Alone 2: Lost In New York (1991)

The first trap of the final act. Harry is catapulted into the air by a makeshift see-saw. Marv watches in awe as Harry flies through the air in glorious slow motion. Harry's scream is slowed down just perfectly to enhance the trap.

Landing on the pavement would have been bad, but Harry crashes right into a car and caves it in. As many medical experts who have broken down the film on YouTube have said, this fall would have killed Harry. Marv makes the scene even better by posing for a picture taken by Kevin.

100 Pounds Of Familiarity

Split image of Marv going the cement bag trap in Home Alone 2 Lost In New York (1991)

The basement gauntlet continues for Marv as he thinks he's found an exit via a rope. It turns out to be another trap that harkens back to the clothing iron trap from the first film, but it is somehow even deadlier than before because the rope is connected to a bag of cement mix that weighs 100 pounds.

In real life, that bag would have crushed both Marv's skull and neck in one go. He would be a dead man, but thankfully it's a family film and Marv simply gets covered in the powder. Sadly, it's not as memorable as the iron, but it's still humorous in its own way, especially when breaking down the logic as an adult.

Slimy Ladder

Harry laying on the ground with slime on his head in Home Alone 2 Lost In New York (1991)

In the first movie, there was a consistent gag about Marv's feet being wounded. With Home Alone 2, it's Harry who seems to get the running gag of falling from high places. One of the first traps featured in the New York McCallister house is a fire escape ladder which Harry tries to use in an attempt to break into the house.

Unfortunately for him, it's covered in a green slime which makes him fall in a surprisingly brutal fashion onto the hard ground head first. To add salt to this literal wound, a big dollop of the slime falls and lands right on Harry's head. Harry doing his typical muttering to avoid cursing makes the trap end on a high note.

Harry Falls (Again)

Harry staring in terror while on a ladder in Home Alone 2 Lost In New York (1991)

What keeps the traps in Home Alone from being too goofy or over the top is the sound design. A lot of slapstick comedies tend to use silly sound effects that often reduce the comedy more than anything but that is not the case with Home Alone 2.

When Harry attempts to climb a rigged ladder, he falls over in a fashion that looks so painful and that's thanks to the booming impact of Harry's body hitting the floor. Even though it's a controlled stunt, it still looks genuinely painful which mixed with Harry's reaction helps make it a perfect trap to cringe and laugh at.

Why Would Rope Be Soaked In Kerosene?

Harry and Marv laying under the house screaming in Home Alone 2: Lost In New York (1991)

Trying to chase Kevin down the same rope he just went, Kevin lights it on fire. Of course, being the dullards that they are: they attempt to go up rather than just taking the quicker route down. This is pretty normal for a trap, but it's what comes next that enhances it.

Proving their indestructibility, Harry and Marv fall at least thirty feet down through scaffolding into a hollowed-out ground. That's already enough to kill a person, but it gets worse when varnish and the cans it originated from splash right on them. At this point, someone should question if Harry and Marv are super soldiers.

Birdemic In Central Park

Harry and Marv covered in bird feed in Home Alone 2: Lost In New York (1991)

Spoke too soon. After Kevin finally gets his first pratfall, Harry and Marv take him into the park. That's when he's saved by the nameless pigeon lady. She throws a bucket of bird feed all over the Sticky Bandits, which has taken on a more literal sense.

As a result, Home Alone 2 embraces Alfred Hitchcock as a giant flock of pigeons swarms Harry and Marv to begin a Christmas feast. It's a creative trap that's enhanced when Marv screams in high-pitched terror while the pigeon lady laughs like a villain.

Kevin's Done It Again

Harry burned from an explosion in Home Alone 2: Lost In New York (1991)

One of the aspects that makes Home Alone 2's traps so effective is Harry and Marv's memory of the first movie. Harry in particular is constantly testing for traps, but then he gets cocky in the bathroom. He pulls a light string and a welding torch lights his scalp on fire.

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When Harry notices in the mirror, he cries, "He did it!" In what looked like pure dread since he already went through a burnt head before. In a twist for the worse (for him anyway), Harry performs a handstand on and into a toilet filled with flammable liquid. The result? An explosion that should have killed Harry but instead, results in a hilarious reaction from him.

A Staple Of The Season

Marv screaming in pain from the staples in Home Alone 2: Lost In New York (1991)

Harry's not exactly bright but Marv in Home Alone 2 is a wet match in a dark cave. Marv tries the front door and pulls out the doorknob connected to a string. After the last movie, a person would just walk away and try a different entrance. Instead, Marv falls for it resulting in a staple gun firing into his rear.

The pain has only begun because he turns around, making a staple fire into his groin for a hilarious reaction. Marv drops to his knees and a third and final staple launches onto his nose. Triple the pain for Marv, triple the laughs for the audience.

Stairs Of Death

Harry and Marv reacting in fear in Home Alone 2: Lost In New York (1991)

Harry and Marv think they got Kevin figured out. They trick Kevin into throwing paint cans down the stairs a la the first movie, one of many times. However, Kevin has a backup for his backup as he tosses down a cast-iron pipe. In the real world, this pipe would have decapitated them.

Instead, Marv just says, "Oops" before they are both launched back down into the basement. Kevin decides to make things funnier by cutting the pipe down and letting it roll down and fall right on them. Again, they would be so dead but the comedic timing of Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, and their stunt doubles keeps it from being too cartoonish.

The Deadly Bricks

Marv getting bricks thrown at him in Home Alone 2: Lost In New York (1991)

The best example of how comedic timing goes a long way. The first trap at the renovated house is when Harry tries to convince Kevin to give them the camera. Kevin instead just throws down a brick that hits Marv right in the face.

Daniel Stern plays the scene perfectly, conveying enough pain to make it hilarious. Especially when he tries to count how many fingers Harry is holding up. Kevin continues to throw bricks, perfectly nailing Marv and each hit gets more and more painful. Seeing Marv squeal in fear as Kevin readies the last is one of Marv's funniest moments in the series.

Electric Sink

Marv turning into a skeleton in Home Alone 2: Lost In New York (1991)

Marv gets the worst of the traps in Home Alone 2: staples, a hard fall into the basement, and getting covered with paint. Those were just the first traps: it gets so much worse. Marv goes over to a sink in hopes to wash off the paint. Of course, Kevin has it rigged to provide more pain.

Marv grabs a hold of the sink and is shocked. Literally. Marv is electrocuted with the voltage going up and up at Kevin's control. Stern's reaction to Marv is perfect enough, but John Hughes embraces his Planes, Trains, & Automobiles humor by having Marv turn into bones. It is literally impossible to not laugh at the sight of a high-pitched screaming skeleton.

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