X
- 1983
- R
- 1 h 38 m
- 1983
- R
- 1 h 38 m
Summary The Griswold family's cross-country drive to the Walley World theme park proves to be much more difficult than they ever anticipated.
Directed By: Harold Ramis
Written By: John Hughes
- 1983
- R
- 1 h 38 m
- 1983
- R
- 1 h 38 m
National Lampoon's Vacation
55
7.8
Where to Watch
Summary The Griswold family's cross-country drive to the Walley World theme park proves to be much more difficult than they ever anticipated.
Directed By: Harold Ramis
Written By: John Hughes
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 13 Critic Reviews
55
38% Positive
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
54% Mixed
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
8% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 13 Critic Reviews
55
38% Positive
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
54% Mixed
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
8% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
It's no masterpiece, but compared to the toothless comedies of its era, its attack on American mythology seems almost worthy of Preston Sturges.
While there are few huge laughs, the very lack of pushiness in Harold Ramis's direction comes as comic relief. [8 Aug 1983, p.55]
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 78 User Ratings
7.8
79% Positive
62 Ratings
62 Ratings
18% Mixed
14 Ratings
14 Ratings
3% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 78 User Ratings
7.8
79% Positive
62 Ratings
62 Ratings
18% Mixed
14 Ratings
14 Ratings
3% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
Classic roadtrip comedy from the 80's with a hilarious Chevy Chase as the goofy father Clark Griswold and the beautiful Beverly D'Angelo as his wife Ellen Griswold.
Clark realises that he don't spend enough time with his kids and they are growing up so fast, so he decides to 'force' them to join him on a family trip to Walley's World. And why travel by airplane if you can enjoy the scenery much better going by car?
This funny movie brings back memories of summer holidays and annoying family members. The 1980's delivered some of the nicest comedy movies and this is one of my favorites. It's innocent fun, whenever I feel a bit down or sad I put on this movie and immediately feel a whole lot better!
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This is a nearly universal theme and might provide the spine for a funny comedy. [29 July 1983, p.C1]
Director Harold Ramis, star and co-writer of STRIPES (1981) and GHOST BUSTERS (1984), keeps this film moving and heightens the humor with his inclusion of comic cameos from a variety of actors.
There's hardly a shot in the film where Chase doesn't try to swallow the camera with one broad expression or another, and Vacation follows in turn, laboring too hard to drive every punchline home.
There are two, maybe three, good gags in National Lampoon's Vacation, which otherwise is poorly paced, sloppily put together, and full of inept, ill-conceived performances.
So I grew up watching this movie as it is my Dad's favourite, and no matter how many times I watch it I still find it hilarious! There are a few films in the series but this one is easily the best and the original where it all began! It won't please everyone as some just don't like that slapstick type of Comedy, but because I saw it from a young age I have grown to love it and really appreciate it as a film and would highly recommend it to anyone in need **** laugh!
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Having seen Christmas Vacation probably at least a few dozen times this was a little bit of a letdown. But not enough for me to be totally out on it. The pop culture riffs and spoofs are not that great but the base energy and humor is good.
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An inarguable classic that I've probably already seen in its entirety four or five times over (only out of order, however) "National Lampoon's Vacation" features what could be the quintessential Chevy Chase performance -- charismatic, charming, but with equal doses of both desperate and crazy. There's a lot to like here, namely the film's second half, which really amps up the crazy, ultimately culminating in a truly enjoyable finish. The road getting there, though, can be much like the Griswold's own road trip -- bumpy, especially from a timelessness standpoint. Look, not every movie's going to age well. And "Vacation" certainly ages better than a lot of other films from its era of comedy. Still doesn't change the fact that there were simply some gags and bits in this that I probably would've found funnier in the year 1983. Not that I was "offended" or anything. Some jokes felt a little "been there done that" to me. Still, it's an absolute must-watch for fans of the road trip genre and comedies altogether.
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