X
- 1989
- PG-13
- Warner Bros.
- 1 h 37 m
- 1989
- PG-13
- Warner Bros.
- 1 h 37 m
Summary The Griswold family's plans for a big family Christmas predictably turn into a big disaster.
Directed By: Jeremiah S. Chechik
Written By: John Hughes
- 1989
- PG-13
- Warner Bros.
- 1 h 37 m
- 1989
- PG-13
- Warner Bros.
- 1 h 37 m
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
49
7.8
Where to Watch
Summary The Griswold family's plans for a big family Christmas predictably turn into a big disaster.
Directed By: Jeremiah S. Chechik
Written By: John Hughes
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 18 Critic Reviews
49
28% Positive
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
56% Mixed
10 Reviews
10 Reviews
17% Negative
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 18 Critic Reviews
49
28% Positive
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
56% Mixed
10 Reviews
10 Reviews
17% Negative
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
This movie has always been a favorite when it comes to the nuttiness of Christmas and family, and it's still a riot. Have a merry dysfunctional Christmas.
For those who like a little Grinch with their yuletide cheer, this movie isn't totally ho-ho-hopeless. In fact, you can even say it glows occasionally - especially with 2,500 imported Christmas bulbs a-twinkling on the Griswold abode. [1 Dec 1989, p.4D]
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 84 User Ratings
7.8
79% Positive
66 Ratings
66 Ratings
17% Mixed
14 Ratings
14 Ratings
5% Negative
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 84 User Ratings
7.8
79% Positive
66 Ratings
66 Ratings
17% Mixed
14 Ratings
14 Ratings
5% Negative
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
This **** rips start to finish no breaks for real, every new character comes in with flames.
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Chevy Chase has not been on a roll lately, and to say that in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation he's funnier than in his last six movies combined may sound like high praise, until you remember those six movies. "Caddyshack II" alone almost throws them into the "minus" laugh range. But here, he does what he does best: flat-out slapstick and subversive tear-downs of his own smooth image. This sweet, goofball, manic middle-class daddy brings out his sharpest reflexes and he gets good support from D'Angelo, the bulging-eyed slob-in-excelsis Quaid, and from Questel and Hickey as his dottiest relations.
Christmas Vacation reminds me of a golden retriever I used to know: dumb and sloppy but kind of likable as long as you don't expect any new tricks. [1 Dec 1989, p.3F]
In this third outing for the Griswolds - following the dismal "National Lampoon's European Vacation" in 1985 - the satirical edge has given way to sentimentality and a whiff of smugness, while the black humor has degenerated into broad slapstick. It's a tribute to first-time director Jeremiah Chechik's fine sense of timing that the obvious physical gags still generate some substantial laughs, though they arrive almost in spite of Hughes' tired script. [1 Dec 1989, p.Friday A]
Fatigue is in the air. This third look at the quintessentially middle-American Griswold family, led by Clark (Mr. Chase) and the very patient Ellen (Beverly D'Angelo) is only a weary shadow of the original ''National Lampoon's Vacation,'' which found a lot to laugh at as it followed the dopey paterfamilias Clark and his quarrelsome brood on a hellish cross-country journey in their station wagon. The new film does little more than reintroduce these familiar characters (with new actors playing the children, who would otherwise be college age by now) and let them get on one another's nerves in earnest.
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is yet another factory product that plays more like a marketing strategy than a comedy. Like the other farces bearing the National Lampoon brand label, it's a comedy of obliviousness - family man Chevy Chase refuses to alter his sentimental notions of family rituals despite repeatedly being slammed in the face with evidence of how far short of his expectations they fall. Here, the word "vacation" is a misnomer. The Griswold family, headed by Chase, doesn't go anywhere. Neither does the film.
Greatest Christmas Movie of All Time. Change My Mind.
Nothing but pure laughter from start to finish.
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Oh, "Christmas Vacation," where have you been all my life? As a 90s kid who grew up hearing rumors that Chevy Chase wasn't funny, I admit I was a bit skeptical when this movie was recommended to me. But boy, oh boy, was I wrong to believe all that nonsense! Chevy Chase is an absolute comedic legend, and this film is the ultimate proof of his talent.
I finally decided to give "Christmas Vacation" a shot about two years ago, and let me tell you, it was like unwrapping the best present ever! From the first scene to the last, I was hooked, and it made me feel like a wide-eyed kid on Christmas morning all over again. But here's the kicker - "Christmas Vacation" manages to infuse very adult themes into the holiday season, and it does so with such hilarity and heart that it instantly became a favorite.
You know how "Home Alone" captured the Christmas spirit for me as a child? Well, "Christmas Vacation" does the same for adults! It takes relatable Christmas scenarios, sprinkles them with humor, and brings the Griswold family to life in a way that feels oh-so-real. I found myself laughing and nodding along, thinking, "Yep, that's totally something that would happen in my family too."
The laughs in "Christmas Vacation" are side-splitting, gut-busting, and downright iconic. Chase's portrayal of Clark Griswold is a masterclass in comedic timing and delivery. From his hilarious misadventures with the Christmas lights to his epic rant about his boss, every moment is pure gold. And let's not forget the supporting cast, who add their own brand of humor, making this movie a joyous ensemble of comedic brilliance.
But beyond the laughs, "Christmas Vacation" captures the essence of the holiday season - the chaos, the mishaps, and the love that binds families together. It's a perfect blend of heartwarming moments and laugh-out-loud humor, making it a Christmas classic for the ages.
Since watching "Christmas Vacation" for the first time, it has become an annual holiday ritual for me. It's like sipping hot cocoa by the fire or hanging up stockings on Christmas Eve; the season just wouldn't be complete without it. So, if you're in need of a dose of festive fun, gather your loved ones, pop some popcorn, and let "Christmas Vacation" sprinkle its holiday magic on you. It's a Yuletide treat that keeps on giving, and I can't recommend it highly enough. Merry Griswold-style Christmas to all!
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One of the best Xmas movies made in the last thirty years One heck of a well written slapstick movie
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This is one of my all-time favorite movies! It is the perfect combination of funny and completely relatable content. We all know that there is a certain pressure that surrounds the holidays. Everybody wants to have a good time and everything is supposed to be perfect and look like a picture in a magazine. In all reality, life isn't perfect and it is likely that they holidays won't be either. That doesn't mean that it's any less funny to watch Clark Griswold try! From unwanted guests to underwhelming holiday meals, I think everybody can watch this movie and say "Yeah that's happened in our family before!" This relatable humor makes the movie something that you can watch all year round. I highly recommend watching it during the holidays, though, because it's tradition and that's part of the Griswold family attitude. If you haven't already, go watch this movie!
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