Vegas Vacation (1997)

This is the weakest of the Chevy Chase movies in the "National Lampoon's Vacaction" movies. That being said, don't get me wrong here, because it is not a bad movie. It was just lacking that unique comedy touch and outrageous absurdity that was found in the previous movies.The story in "Vegas Vacation" is about the Griswold's trip to sparkling Las Vegas, and nothing goes according to plans. And soon things are spiraling out of control and Las Vegas is turned upside down.Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo carried this movie with their spot on portrayals of the beloved Clark and Ellen Griswold characters. The children are naturally growing up, but it was a bit strange as they had new performers in those roles. Randy Quaid also did a great job in revisiting the lovely cousin Eddie character.The comedy in "Vegas Vacation" was straight to the point and there was the trademark awkward situations, but it was not fully up to the level set in the previous movies. Still a funny movie though, and definitely worth watching.

Clark (Chevy Chase) got a bonus at work and he's taking the Griswold gang to Vegas. Clark and Ellen (Beverly D'Angelo) plan to renew their vows. They got new kids (Ethan Embry, Marisol Nichols) and that's the first funny joke. And cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid) shows up in this one too.Chevy Chase is his usual bumbling self, and that's what so familiar about this movie. Maybe that's why it seems so old and tired. After a good start, Chevy is playing around with old Vegas like Seigfried and Roy, and Wayne Newton. The movie taking place inside the casino feels ancient. Vegas tourism bureau should not be happy about this movie. Beverly D'Angelo singing is kinda funny, and it's nice to see Christie Brinkley with a funny cameo. Also we get to have some fun with cousin Eddie and his family. But it's not nearly enough. This franchise is past its expiration date.

Chevy Chase strikes again. He's never that funny by himself but always has a good ensemble cast. This one at times is almost a Las Vegas Infomercial. Best running gag: The fake ID his kid uses as he constantly wins new cars. Worst gag: Cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid) and his creepy family living on toxic radioactive land that nobody wants. Other half successful gags: Ellen (Beverly D'Angelo) as a "Wayne Nut". Wayne Newton appears as himself and romances her. Eddie's daughter is a pole dancer and Audrey becomes a go-go dancer. Once again, all the children (Clark's and Eddie's) are played by entirely different actors. It's never-the-same kids in any two "Vacation" movies. I hate the really stupid casino games but love making fun of Las Vegas buffets. ("The bread pudding is extra runny today. Do you want the yellow (food) or the brown?") The best sequence is the trip to Hoover Dam with Clark Griswold marooned outside on the "catwalk". Clever CGI, as he takes "a leap of faith" to get safely back inside. Then, he attempts to seal up a "dam" leak with chewing gum, which doesn't work. For Vegas lovers, a fun fake tour of the Strip as well. O'Sheas Casino never looked as good as this! Wallace Shawn plays the most obnoxious blackjack dealer of all time. Sid Caesar plays the oldest living Keno gambler and "dies" on cue. The Griswolds pick up his winning ticket just before it is vacuumed away forever. Yeah, they would have had to give it all back, because: 1.Under-aged winners are prohibited from claiming prizes and fake names are not allowed. 2.A "lost" wager ticket that falls to-the-floor is technically the casino's property. But, in the Griswold Universe, everything is possible! One of the weaker "Vacation" entries, but who cares?

This installment of the comedy classic Vacation series is often regarded as "the worst in the series". That couldn't be further from the truth. This is my second favorite in the entire franchise next to the original film. Vegas Vacation was watched by me countless times in the late nineties when I was very young, and really didn't know what the characters were discussing, or even saying for that matter. Along with Fools Rush In, this was my favorite film in my childhood.I recently ran into the National Lampoon's Vacation Collection on Amazon for about $25. What the hell? I'll pay that. I had already watched the first two, and really wanted to dive into the third and rewatch this (keep in mind, at the time, it had been around nine years since I had seen the film). I recently ran into it on Comedy Central, and there was the question again; "what the hell?" The Griswold Family returns to the screen, this time taking a family vacation to Las Vegas. While it isn't much of a family-friendly place, Clark (Chase) and Rusty (Embry) are more than happy to head there and have a damn good time. They even stop at Cousin Eddie's house (Quaid) for more fun, but soon enough, they wind up taking him to Vegas unexpectedly. Let the crazy, nonstop, unrealistic, comedy antics begin. Clark gambles away their money, the wife Ellen (D'Angelo) falls in love with Wayne Newton, Rusty gets a fake ID and wins big, and Audrey (played by the stunning and gorgeous Marisol Nichols) loosens up to become a dancer.It's nothing special, but back in the day, to a five year old, it was colorful, vibrant, jumpy, loud, and off it's own medicine. I loved it. I saw love at first sight when I saw Marisol Nichols play Audrey. Then when I grew older, I questioned if continuity was even brought up when making this sequel. The children look nothing like they did in the first three films. Rusty was an average looking guy, but in this one his a very handsome, grown individual. Audrey has the biggest change of all. She was the homely child in the first three, but in this one she's got black hair and is amazingly gorgeous. Puberty did her well.But who cares? The jokes are somewhat fresh, the scenes are classic (my favorite being the dam boring tour), and the characters return to give it their all once more. Hard to believe that this would be the last time we see these characters in the flesh until thirteen years later when Chevy and Beverly would appear in the short Hotel Hell Vacation. I suspected something like National Lampoon's Australian Vacation, But it was still nice to see them back at it one more time.Vegas Vacation isn't perfect. You could almost think of it has a hopelessly lost spin off that doesn't take too many new routes, or even has appropriately placed characters. It doesn't even have the National Lampoon's name in the title. My only theory is that Warner Bros. (the company that distributed every other Vacation film) wanted to make another film in the franchise. They probably suggested the idea of Vegas with high hopes, National Lampoon maybe scrapped it, and WB went on to do it by themselves with no endorsement of National Lampoon. After all, they do own a part of the name, might as well milk it.No matter, Vegas Vacation is a film I'm proud to call one of my favorite comedies, and my second favorite in the Vacation franchise.Starring: Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Ethan Embry, Marisol Nichols, and Randy Quaid. Directed by: Stephen Kessler.