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National Lampoon's Vacation

What’s the Story?

Reviewed by Afsheen Nomai

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?

3

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.

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