National Lampoon's European Vacation (1985)

The problem with sequels, they mostly disappoint. Not really so with this one. Yes the first was classic, funny, and hard to beat, with a whole lot of reality hidden under Clark's escapades and misadventures. Much the reality that we can relate to was the beauty of that film. What works here, of course not scoring as many laughs as the original, is the change of location, or should say the change of locations, as The Griswalds win a trip to Europe, all by accidentally winning a round on a game show, up against a real genius, and unbeatable family, up until now. Even though this has been dissed, I never had a problem with this one where again, there's a lot of reality here, we can relate too, when going away, one especially, involving running up a phone bill. Here of course, Clark creates chaos and misunderstanding as remember, he's in Europe. They even visit the wrong address of relatives, who of course, are strangers to these wild family on the account of a half veiled address number. Another misunderstanding which resulted in a chase was the German dancing. Oh did I forget, they visited Germany as well. We have different actors replace Rusty and Audrey, as in all the Vacation series, and there are a few cameos from some English greats. I thought the bit with poor bicycle rider Idle was sick though, on the account of the 'wrist squirting blood' moments. The writer or writers here have really honed in on picking out funny happenings and situations, where for me this was a potpouri of laughs from a potpouri of laughs from a potpouri of cities, which made this one work. Even on return, the Griswalds cause the plane to knock the statue of liberty off.

I have to admit that until recently I believed I like this movie as much as "Vacation" and "Christmas Vacation",but I read several negative reviews about it and,after giving them a thought,I have to admit that they partially are right.Yes,this movie (and especially its stereotypes) is somewhat flat,sometimes even dumb.It's no masterpiece.But it's still worth watching it not only once,but several times.After all,its nevertheless a Griswold movie with Chevy Chase and Beverly d'Angelo!And I don't agree very much with the many critical comments on Dana Hill and Jason Lively (who played the Griswold's daughter and son)Yes,their characters in the film are annoying,nervy and sometimes obnoxious.But I think that's exactly how kids tend to be at the age both characters are designed to have in the movie.Their characters could be seen as the most realistic part of "European vacation" Maybe some people who watched this movie recognized their own children in these characters.I did,at least partially.As I recognized myself while remembering when I was as young as Rusty is in this movie.What concerns the national clichés the movie constantly harps upon: Yes,they are rather dumb,and,more important,unequal.It makes an "unbelievably small" difference whether you stereotypically portray people as ultra-polite/sex-loving or as lynch mob/mafiosi. After having had a short look on the director's biography I unfortunately have to suppose that this movie might reflect her personal clichés...For people who believe these stereotypes to be more or less reliable: At least at the time this movie was released (1985/86) it was the so polite Britons who in Europe had a reputation problem (due to their ultra violent hooligans-remember the Heysel stadium tragedy) Nevertheless the clichés in this movie appear rather harmless,especially regarding the movie's age (if someone wants to watch really dumb national stereotypes,I "recommend" the British "top gear")Where did the Schuhplattler dance take place IN THE MOVIE? (in reality these scenes were shot in Southern Tyrol,Italy,as you know) Well,I can only say that there are shown many little blue-white flags (blue-white the colors of Bavaria) and red-white flags (red-white the colors of Upper Austria,a federal state of Austria) And there's shown a big German (at that time only West-German!) flag (black-red-gold).So everybody can brood over it,if she or he wants...I suggest a Schuhplattler contest between Bavarian and Upper Austrian towns near the border.By the way,Hitler's birthplace Braunau is also a town near to the Upper Austrian/Bavarian border.A strange coincidence,isn't it? Therefore I suspect that the oddly high number of flags in this "Schuhplattler-town" is an allusion to the "Reichsparteitag" in Nuremberg...Finally,what concerns the nudity in this movie: Come on,this is "European vacation" and not "Saudi Arabian vacation"!

There is not one single laugh. I'm not kidding or exaggerating. It's sad to know that this was written by John Hughes and directed by Amy Heckerling. They can't all be gems. The Griswalds win an European vacation from a wacky game show. This sets the family off on a series of scatter shot attempt at comedy. Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo return with newcomers Dana Hill and Jason Lively as their kids.It starts off badly in Britain where Clark keeps driving into everything. I don't understand the joke where every driver is super nice after getting hit by Clark. Are the British stereotypical nice drivers? Eric Idle comes the closest to an actual laugh. The problem is all the previous car crashes dissipates any comedy coming from Idle being so nice. And I don't understand why the Griswalds would run into him again. It's just stupid.The only thing that comes close to being watchable is the last part where the Griswalds tangle with some bad guys. At least they get some action in. It's not funny, but at least there's some fun in some fun locations.

I quite understand the negative reviews toward this movie . I don't treat the first movie as some incredible masterpiece , but it was fun. This one is however a disappointment.The movie follows formula of the first one , yet they are some changes. There is no cousin Eddie this time and the Griswalds travel all over Europe instead of America. The cast is also obviously different – Rusty and Audrey Griswald have been re-casted . Instead of Anthony Michael Hall and Dana Barron we have Jason lively and Dana Hill .Many have complained about that . I have to admit that I don't like this sort of change too . Still , I think they were worthy replacements and personally I like Dana's Hill Audrey more than Barron's.There is also change of director . Harold Ramis ("Ghostbusters" ) has been replaced by Amy Heckerling ("Fast times at Ridgemont High"). She directs it with obvious 80's style (Griswalds at Italian shop , Griswalds at museum) and for me that's a good thing . John Hughes who has written original also is the author of screenplay here . "European vacation" doesn't only wants to be entertainment , but also is a satire on Americans . The movie makes fun of our heroes several times – kids complain about the lack of MTV , Griswalds don't know any language , sex is the best entertainment for them , they can't simply enjoy their time. I don't think that movie is cruel towards are heroes . They still the same sympathetic people only with unusual ability to fall into trouble.The famous song by Lindsey Buckingham "Holiday road" is back . There are also other great songs here : Power Station "Some like it hot" , Dr.John "New looks" and Network "Back in America".William Zabka (the bully from "Karate kid") makes a brief appearance as Jack – Audrey's boyfriend . Watch out also for Eric Idle (member of Monty Python) as unlucky British guy who gets accidentally hurt by Clark every time they met."European vacation" is a forced sequel . Most jokes is lame , I sadly admit (for example : the dream sequences at the airplane and the ending at the airplane) , but there are some funny jokes (for example : the vulgar waiter in France ,Clark can't turn left in England ) . It's still better than the next movie in franchise - "Vegas vacation" . Now THAT was a complete disaster. I give this one a 3/10.