There was a certain comedic magic about NATIONAL LAMPOON’S VACATION…
CHRISTMAS VACATION added to the charm. EUROPEAN and VEGAS VACATIONS? Not so much.
Can you believe that it’s been 33 years since Clark, Ellen, Rusty and Audrey first headed west in the family truckster to visit Wally World?
Well Rusty (Ed Helms) is all grown up and has his own family—wife Christina Applegate and two boys.
He’s a pilot for an airline. Not a major carrier, mind you. But regional carrier ECONOAIR out of Midway Airport.
And just like his dad Clark, Rusty’s still a nut.
Memories of family vacations are strong for Rusty and what better way to bring the family close together than a present day road trip—to Wally World.
Yeap, that’s the ticket.
Just one problem though for their Memorial Day weekend trip:
Most of the popular rental cars in Chicago are already spoken for. All that’s left is an Albanian built import of strange looking proportions.
So it’s off for another misadventure at every turn and highway exit.
There’s the uncomfortable stop over at sister Audrey’s (Leslie Mann) house who is living the dream with buff weather hunk Chris Hemsworth.
A visit to mom’s old college campus is on the agenda where she was known as “Debbie Do Anything.”
And, of course, there’s a mandatory stop to say hello to Clark and Ellen (Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo) who now run a B & B in their retirement.
It all ends (again) at Wally World where anything that can go wrong—DOES!
The details are different. The jokes are different. But plenty of nods to the original film throughout the 99 minutes running time.
Or as Ed Helms puts it: “The journey sucks—it’s the destination.”
Bottom line, the Griswolds are back in an updated, funny reboot.
Does it have the charm of the original? Not really but you WILL laugh.
And finally go to this movie prepared!
Because this National Lampoon-Less VACATION is crude and raunchy and goes out of its way to EARN its well deserved R-rating.
Score: B-
(Reviewed at Cinemark, Merriam)
JACK GOES TO THE MOVIES Friday mornings at 6:40 a.m. and 8:40 a.m. on 98.1FM, KMBZ and anytime on Facebook.
I approve of this review.
I’m glad you do—but WHAT what does that mean?????
Shitter’s Full!
Dump it in the storm drain.
That Christina Applegate broad seemingly does not age. In contrast, Chevy Chase these days looks like it would take a freight train with three engines just to haul his old frumpy ass down to the set. I thinks I’ll wait to see this one until it’s free on HBO.
The shower scene with Beverly D’Angelo in the original permanently burned her into my teenage brain when I first saw this movie. Since then, she’s been a Hall of Fame member of my mental rolodex.
Ummm…that’s nuthin to be proud of Russ.
According to research studies and research study, social communications play a vital role in enhancing physical and mental health articles on drugs
– Norine,.