Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Talking dogs save Christmas in so-so slapstick comedy.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Alone for Christmas
What's the Story?
In ALONE FOR CHRISTMAS, family dog Bone (played by Hooligan and voiced by William R. Pomeroy) often gets the blame for the chaos caused by his younger brother, Columbus (played by Torpedo and voiced by William Webb). As the dogs' family prepares to go to Grandma's house for Christmas, it's decided that Bone must stay behind. So Dad (David DeLuise) finds a doggie daycare center, and Bone is left there. After conferring with the other dogs, Bone learns that his family's house has been cased and is about to be robbed. He escapes and makes it back home, where he uses every trick he can think of to foil a trio of bumbling thieves. Undeterred, the thieves call in an expert dogcatcher (Kevin Sorbo). Can Bone save the day?
Is It Any Good?
An undisguised, unapologetic rip-off of Home Alone, this kid-targeted Christmas comedy is terrible in many ways, but it does have a good heart. Hailing from The Asylum, the studio that brought us Sharknado, Alone for Christmas—otherwise known as Bone Alone—is clearly a low-budget affair, with rubbery-looking CG effects to make the dogs' mouths move. Other effects look unfinished, most of the events fly in the face of basic logic, and there's an over-reliance on fart jokes, as well as utterly bizarre references to Jaws and Die Hard (as well as, of course, a reference to Kevin's famous "cologne moment" in Home Alone).
After a while, it's easy to get used to the way the dogs act—and even to be impressed by all the various tricks the animals pull off, such as whacking an intruder with a frying pan. Alone for Christmas walks a fine line between passably amusing and painfully unbearable, but if it's on in the background during a busy holiday season, it might capture your attention and provide a smile or two.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Alone for Christmas' violence. How did it make you feel? What did the movie show or not show to achieve this effect? Why is that important?
What was your reaction to the "talking" dogs? What other ways are there to tell stories about dogs without their lips moving?
Some of the movie's jokes are aimed at adults. Do you think too much of the humor is "grown up," or will kids enjoy it, too? Why do you think filmmakers might include jokes that will go over kids' head in movies that are made for them?
How does the movie fit into the genre of holiday movies? What aspects of the "Christmas spirit" does it embody?
How does the movie compare to Home Alone?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 15, 2013
- On DVD or streaming : January 2, 2014
- Cast : David Deluise , Kim Little , Kevin Sorbo
- Director : Joseph J. Lawson
- Studio : The Asylum
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Animals , Holidays
- Run time : 87 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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