With the upcoming
release of Vacation, a semi-reboot/continuation of the franchise, there had to
be a look back at the original from 1983, the tale of Clark Griswold and his
family’s travels across the country in National Lampoon’s Vacation.
The premise is
relatively simple; Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) wants to spend more time with
his wife (Beverly D’Angelo) and his children Rusty (Anthony Michael Hall) and
Audrey (Dana Barron). To accomplish this, he purchases a station wagon to
embark on an expedition from Chicago to the LA theme park, Walley World. Much
of the plot revolves around the numerous mishaps that occur on the over two
thousand mile journey.
Chevy Chase makes
Clark Griswold a perfect square while providing a tongue-in-cheek sort of style
that doesn’t ever become insulting. The rest of the family around him is just
as amusing and feels very real when it comes to their family dynamic.
By far the funniest
moments from the film come from cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid). Even though his time
in the film isn’t too long, the deadbeat cousin steals the scenes he is in and
brings the comedy to its riskiest point throughout the film.
Most of the gags
are more subtle, though sort of cartoonish and witty. The screenplay by the
fantastic John Hughes can be seen throughout Vacation’s type of witty yet
simple humor. The timing of the gags becomes impeccable and the pace doesn’t
have many faults under the direction of Harold Ramis.
Overall National
Lampoon’s Vacation is no masterpiece, but it is a well-realized satire and
compared to some of the comedies of the era, it’s definitely in the upper ranks
of said comedies. The jokes and gags come at a fast and furious pace and will
keep you laughing from the start. (7.5/10)
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