“Christmas Break-In” may be the most unheralded holiday picture yet. Bypassing theaters, video, and major streaming platforms, the 2018 movie is available in lots of spots, yet I have no idea where it originated.
Despite its clandestine production, it somehow managed to land Danny Glover and Denise Richards in lead roles.
‘Home Alone’ (in a School)
The bulk of the story takes place inside a typical school. A major snowstorm has left young Izzy (Cameron Seely) stuck at school after hours. Izzy loves to play the guitar and has befriended former musician and current janitor Ray (Danny Glover).
Izzy’s parents (Denise Richards and Sean O’Bryan) set out in the blizzard to rescue their daughter. The start of the film establishes the parents as aloof when it comes to their kids.
Meanwhile, a trio of burglars led by the super sexy Barbi (Katrina Begin) has decided to hide from the cops at the school. Barbi and her cohorts, slow witted boyfriend Rico (Douglas Spain) and slower witted brother Ned (Jake Von Wagoner) take Ray hostage, leaving Izzy to thwart the crooks and rescue her friend.
Harmless Holiday Fun
“Christmas Break-In” is absurd but still pleasurable to watch. The idea that ten-year-old Izzy could save the day from three adult baddies is an obvious homage to “Home Alone.” Cameron Seely has fun with the character, and it makes the viewer more engaged in the silly story.
Danny Glover is great as a kindhearted school janitor and has a good rapport with the kid.
I always laugh at the trope of Lead Villain surrounded by incompetence. From Hans Gruber to Cobra Commander. And it’s perfectly on-point here. Barbi is the brains behind the outfit.
And that’s saying something, considering she’s dressed in a skin-tight catsuit and loudly clanking high heeled boots (standard burglar attire).
Katrina Begin is a ten out of ten on the mistletoe scale, so I’m on board for it. Rico and Ned couldn’t steal sand from a beach and offer serviceable comical relief with their antics. Barbi has been on the naughty list her entire life and is simply using Rico and Ned to get what she wants.
And unless Barbi wants a pair of steel bracelets, she best avoid Izzy.
Why Not?
To be clear, “Christmas Break-In” is not “Home Alone.” Its short and amusing, and though it lacks staying power of a holiday tradition, its worth watching once. And the gag reel that plays during the credits is outstanding.
