Vegas Vacation

Movie review by Renee Longstreet, Common Sense Media
Vegas Vacation Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 13+

Lame National Lampoon with usual innuendo, drinking.

PG 1997 93 minutes
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Parents say

age 9+

Based on 5 reviews

Kids say

age 10+

Based on 12 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that in its the quest for humor and laughs, this film portrays everyone in the Griswold family as irresponsible, amoral, dishonest, and foolish. The Griswold teens either drink, cheat, steal, gamble, or lie throughout. The entire Las Vegas environment is seen as obsessively sensual, tawdry, and alcohol-infused. In fact, many of the leading characters are seen continuously holding or drinking alcoholic beverages. In addition, the film functions as a lengthy commercial for the city's hotels and hot spots, along with lots of other product placement. Language is relatively mild, with some "damns," and "hells." In addition the film teems with sexual innuendo, as well as much leering and ogling at scantily clad women.

Community Reviews

Movieman456
Movieman456 Adult
June 1, 2020
age 7+
Spencer H.
Spencer H. Adult
January 11, 2020
age 11+

Surprisingly the cleanest entry in the Vacation series but more for pre-teens and up

Considering the Griswold's destination is Vegas you might think this would be the raciest film in the series but it is surprisingly the cleanest with a PG rating in contrast to the first film being rated R and the following 2 sequels being PG-13, but still this one is not for little kids, as there still is swearing (albeit much milder than the earlier films but still a lots of hells and damns and even one g----n), as well as innuendo and a subplot where the son of the Griswald's becomes a popular and underage gambler. So this movie could encourage messages that underage gambling is ok. It is best to discuss with your kids if you haven't already that there is no way this could happen in real life and discuss the dangers of gambling with them. This movie makes gambling look a lot more fun and rewarding than it is in real life. The dad blows his whole family savings trying to win against a blackjack dealer, which hopefully can get kids to understand the dangers of gambling. Additionally, there is a subplot of Wayne Newton hitting on Ellen Griswold and the family goes off alone through Vegas one day while she visits Wayne Newton alone and she even has dinner with him when she and Clark the dad, take a break from each other after having an argument. So this could encourage the wrong message that it is ok to spend time with someone romantically who likes another person even though they are married. Lastly the daughter of Randy Quaid is a cage dancer in a nightclub and gets the Griswold daughter into doing the same thing with her at one point catching her parents and brother by an unpleasant surprise. No nudity is shown (this is a PG movie after all) but the dancing is mildly suggestive and is something to be aware of. Although the Griswold's are not as immoral here as in the first Vacation film, (or even in Christmas Vacation) this one has its iffy content and while the previous films are best for the teenage and adult crowd this one at minimum is ok for pre-teens, but be prepared to discuss these content issues with your kids first.

This title has:

Too much swearing
Too much consumerism
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 5 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) surprises his family with a trip to Las Vegas. Once there, instead of the "togetherness" Clark was touting, each Griswold takes off into his or her own world: gambling, partying, drinking, and in the case of Ellen Griswold (Beverly D'Angelo), embarking on a flirtation with Wayne Newton. Complicating the already manic family behavior is Vacation regular, Cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid) and his brood. Some of the Griswolds get in trouble; some of them get rich; all of them are supposed to learn a lesson about the values of sharing and love.

Is It Any Good?

With cartoonish performances, amateur direction, slapdash editing, and a resolution-free, illogical story, this movie marks a low point in the careers of everyone associated with it. Cameo appearances from Siegfried and Roy and their tigers, the venerable Sid Caesar in a never-ending vaudevillian death scene, and Wayne Newton don't help at all. Even the worst movie may have a few scenes that almost rescues it from the trash heap. VEGAS VACATION is one of those movies. Clark Griswold's visit to an "alternative" casino with such games as "Pick A Number From One to Ten" and "Rock, Paper, Scissors," is hilarious as are a few others, but those scattered minutes can't possibly make up for the rest of this witless mess.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about some of the trips they've taken with their families. What makes a good family vacation?

  • What did Clark Griswold learn about gambling? What price, if any, did he ultimately have to pay for his irresponsible behavior? What might really happen to someone who gambled as he did?

  • What did you think about the drinking in the movie? How realistic was it? What would the real-life consequences of that kind of drinking be?

  • Each Griswold kept his or her Las Vegas adventures a secret from the other family members. When, if ever, is it appropriate or all right to keep a secret from your family?

Movie Details

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