 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
National Lampoon's Vacation
- Review Date: November 10, 2005
- R
- Genre: Comedy
- 1983
Common Sense Media says
Funny family comedy, but dated and risque.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this film's humor relies mostly on innuendo. While drug use and sex are never seen, they're very frequently implied and are generally the butt of jokes. The father of this family comes close to cheating on his wife but doesn't succeed and realizes that he loves his wife. Like every other social taboo this film encounters, the father's almost cheating is treated as a joke, as he is rather inept at it.
What's the story?
Poor Clark Griswald (Chevy Chase), nothing seems to go right for him and his dream vacation, a road trip from Chicago to California's Walley World amusement park. Things go wrong from the start when a slick car salesman played by Eugene Levy, convinces Clark to settle for a wood paneled puke green station wagon dubbed, "The Family Truckster" ("You think you hate it now, but just wait until you drive it"). On the road, anything that can go wrong does go wrong. Aunt Edna dies in the car, the dog pees on the picnic basket, and the credit cards get cancelled. Meanwhile a hot blonde in a red hot Ferrari (Christy Brinkley) flirts with Clark leading almost to the demise of his marriage. With the family's bond barely intact, they arrive at their final destination only to find the home of Marty Moose closed for repairs.
Is it any good?
NATIONAL LAMPOON'S VACATION is a classic comedy, and though this is R rated, it comes off tame by today's standards. Even kids who didn't grow up with Chevy Chase will enjoy watching him plays his usual deadpan character.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about comedies. How can a dead dog -- or a dead old lady -- be funny? Can you think of other popular movies that turn disgusting and depraved situations into laughs -- or at least try to? How far can filmmakers push it before they've crossed the line into true tasteless territory? Who do you think most of these movies are targeted to? How do you know?
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AGE
There is no way this is 12+!!!!
This movie is not appropriate for 12 year olds! Strong language throughout, lots of drug references, and lots of sexual innuendo(including nudity). DONT LET YOUR KIDS SEE THIS!!!!!!
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AGE
It was good
This a true American classic. There are a few iffy spots, but not bad at all. Wow, shortest review that I have ever written.
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Kid, 11 years old
October 18, 2009
AGE
Violence includes punching and shooting with a bebe gun. Nudity is skinny dipping when he is already married
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Kid, 12 years old
August 4, 2009
AGE
Iffy 4 kids aged under 15
I think that kids who realize they can't use bad language could handle this
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AGE
funny
Funny movie, a few f-words. and two scenes of nudity. Not that innaproprite tho
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AGE
I laughed so hard I had to go to the hospatol to get my stomach stapled.
I love this movie. I got it when I was six for christmas. I laughed so hard I really had to go to the hospatol to get my stomach stapled because my splean fell out. Well what I was trying to say is that this movie is pretty good for the younger ones because the sex stuff is mild and fly right over the littles heads. I don't know why it was rated R. My baby sister ( she was 4) did'nt get the sex stuff. This movie is difenitley a family comedy.
So your kids will probbaly like this movie. And parents will too. Trust me you will NOT be dissipointed with this movie. But you will be dissipointed with epic movie. Check my review for that too. So bye till next time.
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AGE
F-bombs galore, and at the end the amount gets pretty scary. The best in the series.
My rating: R for strong language, some nudity and drug content.
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AGE
Not good for younger teens but older teens will love it as well as adults!
This is a very funny movie! Loved it. The only problems are some cussing and one scene with the main character skinny dipping but nothing shown. But other than that it is a great movie for laughs. Will laugh the whole way through
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| Studio: | Warner Bros. |
| Director: | Harold Ramis |
| Cast: | Beverly D'Angelo, Chevy Chase, Randy Quaid |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 99 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | July 29, 1983 |
| DVD release date: | July 29, 1997 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
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