Rating: 
Summary: FUN COMEDY
Review: By far the best entry in this American comedy film series.Consistently funny throughout which is largely due to the likeable performances of Chevy Chase and Beverley D'Angelo and the razor sharp scripts by John Huges. The plot line is very thin but what emerges are a string of sketches that are all fine blends of comedy. Basically Chevy chase plays a put upon dad who decides to take his wife and kids across America to an amusement park and find themselves plunged into adventures and pure madness along the way. The film particularly scores well towards the end of the film where Chevy Chase takes John Candy hostage with a toy gun and forces Hughes to re-open the amusement park that he'd travelled all the way from the other side of America for (it turns out it was closed for the season when they arrive). Fast, furious and of course very silly but you simply can't deny that is this a fine comedy classic. Highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: One of my faves!!!
Review: National Lampoon's Vacation is one of the most hilarious movies ever made! The introduction of Cousin Eddie is classic! "Can I borrow $52,000?" LOL Classic! Aunt Edna will leave your side hurting. One thing I love about this movie is that is REEKS of the eighties! Check out the clothes, hairstyles, and especially how Audrey and cousin Vicky wear ponytails on the side of their head. This movie is one of the best in the Lampoon series. Beware of the f-word and the nudity.
Rating:
Summary: One of the definitive American comedies of the 80s
Review: I first watched this movie when I was about 9 years old, not knowing it was R-rated. But I had already gone through the experience of saying curse words without knowing what they meant, so when I heard the cursing in this movie, I didn't worry too much because I already knew not to say those words. But anyway.. at the time I watched it for the slapstick parts. I saw that it was on TBS the other day, and, not having seen it for about five years, I decided to watch it, now being able to appreciate not only the slapstick, but the genuinely funny DIALOGUE as well. And it's a damn funny movie. Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) takes his family on a 2,000-mile trip from Chicago to Los Angeles to visit the Wally World theme park, of course encountering many "wacky" misadventures along the way. Some highlights: the death of Aunt Edna, the scene where they stop in a black ghetto neighborhood and have to pay ten dollars for nonsensical directions, and let's not forget Clark's tottering on the brink of insanity during a rainstorm when the kids complain that they want to go home ("This is no longer a vacation. It's a QUEST. It's a quest for fun. I'm gonna have fun and you're gonna have fun. We're gonna have so much F--KING FUN YOU'LL BE WHISTLING ZIP-A-DEE-DO-DAH OUT OF YOUR A--HOLES!"). The late John Candy as Lasky, an employee at Wally World, gives a very funny performance. And Imogene Coca, who, unfortuneatley, passed away last week, being the "Your Show of Shows" comedy veteran that she is/was, is pricelessly funny as Aunt Edna. Anyone who has ever gone on a family vacation will practically identify with the Griswold clan. The situations are outrageous, but just realistic enough to identify with. The Griswolds have become synonymous with the typical American family in my own family. When we go on vacation, my dad says things like, "Ready to go to Wally World, Rusty?" :) So, all in all, a very funny movie. "I must be crazy, I'm on a pilgrimage to see a moose! Praise Marty Moose! Holy s--t!"
Rating:
Summary: The Holiday Road...
Review: It's hard to imagine now, but there was a time when Chevy Chase was cool and funny. In "National Lampoon's Vacation," Chase stars as Clark Griswold, a man determined to drive his family cross-country to see Wally World, "America's Number One Family Theme Park." In the opening scene, Griswold gets stuck with a monstrous (and monstrously ugly) automobile-like contraption dubbed the "Family Truckster." Unfortunately for him, that's the highpoint of his trip down the holiday road. Everything that can go wrong does so as the Griswold clan weathers hubcap theft, a sportscar-driving temptress, two deaths and an endless variety of indignities heaped upon Clark himself as the result of his obsessive need to be the perfect husband and father. Chase's wild-eyed expressions as he approaches the brink of insanity are hilarious. Harold Ramis directs a script by John Hughes (who would later team-up with costar Anthony Michael Hall for a few 80s teen comedies). Beverly D'Angelo tags along as Griswold's long-suffering wife. In-laws and outlaws sharing in the misfortune include Imogene Coca (as cranky Aunt Edna),a hilarious Randy Quaid (they had to bring him back for the last two sequels), a briefly seen Brian Doyle-Murray and swimsuit superstar Christie Brinkley. This is one of those classic American comedies you really need to have seen by now. It's worth owning inany format. Also watch for John Candy in a brief role near the end... and listen for Harold Ramis' distinct voice (he has one line).All that, and a nude D'Angelo, too; after all, this was the 80s.
Rating:
Summary: Hilarious!! National Lampoon's and Chase's best movie !!!
Review: This is a great comedy and a masterpiece of the 80's. It's about the Griswld family going on a "Fun-filled family vacation". Along the way various things happen that get the family low-spirited, but the ending is a happy one. First they get lost in the ghuetto part of Chicago and get lost. Clarke falls asleep behind the wheel(One of the highlites in the movie)and crashes into the parking lot. At the hotel Clarke plays a hilarious joke on Ellen by pretending to be Phsyco in Alfred Hitchcock's novel and ripping the shower curtain open while she's in it. They then visit Dodge City, and Clarke sees the beautiful notorious blonde Christine Brinkley and flirts with her. Then it's off to Cousin Eddy's house where they find out sour Aunt Edna must come along for the ride. After her unusual fate they visit another hotel and Clarke sees Christine Brinkley again. Then comes the funniest part in the whole movie(and theer are so many funny parts I can't list them all!) Clarke has a HILARIOUS outburst while Ellen and the kids look on in amazment. This is definently a must-see for anyone over 12 years of age because it's only rated R for bad language and nudity. This movie is soooo funnny and definently is a must have movie. So go see rent this movie! For more information on the Vacation series, see my other reviews!
Rating:
Summary: Great movie to begin a great comedy series
Review: "National Lampoon's Vacation" is the movie that started the classic National Lampoon movie series. Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) decides to take his family on a cross-country trip to Wally World in California. On the way, the Griswold family will see sites such as the Grand Canyon, and even unwillingly pick up one of their least favorite family members, Aunt Edna. The long lasting National Lampoon series couldn't have begun with a better movie than "National Lampoon's Vacation." It's hilarious all the way from the comics at the very beginning of the movie all the way till the movie ends. Some of the funniest parts of the movie that I remember most are what the Griswolds do to Aunt Edna when she dies, and what Chevy Chase does when Beverly D'Angelo asks if he's going to look at the Grand Canyon. John Candy also makes a great cameo appearance. "National Lampoon's Vacation" is simply a great movie. It's hilarious, Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo do a great job together, and even the music isn't bad. I recommend "National Lampoon's Vacation" to anybody that likes comedy movies, it's a must have.
Rating:
Summary: The World Meets The Griswolds
Review: The one that introduced the Griswold Family to the world, "National Lampoon's Vacation," directed by Harold Ramis, is a side-splitting comedy starring Chevy Chase as Clark W. Griswold, Jr., who is arguably the best, and most memorable, character he's ever created for the silver screen. It's summer vacation time, and Clark has ordered a new sports model station wagon to drive the family from Chicago to Los Angeles; their destination: The one and only "Walleyworld" amusement park in beautiful Southern Cal. But things begin on a somewhat dubious note when the car Clark ordered hasn't arrived, and he has to settle for the "Family Truckster," which the salesman (Eugene Levy) tells him is superior to the one he ordered and, moreover, is just the vehicle for driving the "whole tribe" across the country. And it's only the beginning of a vacation the Griswolds (as well as the audience) will never forget. Working from a screenplay by John Hughes that is clever and filled with subtle humor, Ramis also uses the natural abilities of Chase and the rest of his cast to full advantage, punctuating the wittiness of the script with some broad strokes of physical comedy that blend well within the framework of the story. The project was in good hands with Ramis, who knows the territory and keeps it all flowing with a good pace and excellent timing. He was especially successful with Chase, who in other films has had a tendency at times to wander a bit from the humorous aspects of his characters; but not here. His "Clark" is right on the money. Beverly D'Angelo (Ellen Griswold) does a good job as well, in a role that is basically one of playing "straight man" for Chase and his shenanigans. And they have an on-screen rapport that helps make even their screwiest antics believable. In the four "Vacation" movies, the only parts that had different actors each time were those of the "Griswold Kids," the best of which were the original, with Anthony Michael Hall as Rusty and Dana Barron as Audrey (the second best were Johnny Galecki and Juliette Lewis in "Christmas Vacation"). They round out what is, somewhat surprisingly (for all of their comical situations and circumstances) a fully "functional" family anchored by Clark, who always starts out, at least, with only the best intentions. Also outstanding, in the role he reprises in the third and fourth installments of the series as well, is Randy Quaid as the inimitable "Cousin Eddie," a relative the likes of which can be found in just about any family anywhere; the cousin nobody wants to claim, whose heart is bigger than his brain. It's a characterization rooted deeply in Americana, and one you won't forget. The supporting cast includes Miriam Flynn (Cousin Catherine), Eddie Bracken (Roy Walley), Imogene Coca (Aunt Edna), Brian Doyle-Murray (Kamp Komfort Clerk), James Keach (Motorcycle Cop), Frank McRae (Grover) and John Candy (doing a hilarious turn as Lasky, a Guard at Walleyworld). A movie for anyone who's ever taken a vacation with the whole family (or even for those who haven't), "National Lampoon's Vacation" is a laugh-filled, upbeat and highly entertaining movie that, between the laughter, will make you think about a few things (like verifying the schedules of an amusement park) the next time you start planning the family vacation. This may not be the "perfect" comedy, but it comes awfully close; and if the number of laughs it gets are any indication, it at least puts it somewhere near the top. If you haven't seen this one yet, don't waste any more time; this is one that's going to brighten your day.
Rating:
Summary: The first and the best!
Review: National Lampoon's Vacation VHS~ Chevy Chase is and was the first movie in the Chevy Chase vacation series; it is also simply the best one. The first movie is a lot darker in its humor, i.e., the death of Aunt Edna, the dragging of the dog and Chevy Chase's character getting his son drunk on a beer. I absolutely love this movie and watch it every time that it is on TV. Ok, so, you will not become a brain surgeon from watching this movie and you will probably never want to go on a road trip. However, for a good laugh this movie is hard to beat. One of my favorite scenes is when they are driving late at night and they all fall asleep in the car. This scene in itself is absolutely priceless and has been copied by other movies.
Rating:
Summary: The best Vacation movie behind Christmas Vacation
Review: This movie is soooo funny!! This is definently the most original vcation movie in the series, but not as hilariuos as Chritmas Vacation. It is full of funny moments,like when Clark keeps seeing the notorius blonde girl (Christine Brinkley), and when they go to visit Uncle Eddy(randy Quaid). Ellen(Beverly D'angelo), Clarke's wife, is also hilarious. this is a great comedy movie!
Rating:
Summary: A True American Comedy
Review: The family vacation. If you've ever been on one with your not so hip family, than this movie is a must see for you!National Lampoon's Vacation is a comedic favorite and a sentimental favorite with me. This movie has been a treasured favorite with most of my family and I think that everyone has been on one of these vacations, where nothing goes as well as it should.Clark Griswold (Chase, perfectly cast) is a loving family man who wants nothing better for his family than for them to be happy. When he packs up the whole clan, his wife Ellen (Beverley D'Angelo) and his kids Rusty and Audrey, they take off on a cross country trek to Wally World (think Disney World). From Chicago to California, the Griswold family have a series of misadventures that HONESTLY are so funny, I cry everytime I watch this movie. This is just a great movie, a funny movie and one that everyone should see. It's got all kinds of humor, enough for everyone. Lowbrow, highbrow and all the middle stuff, this is a VERY funny movie, although the DVD version is lacking. Hold out for a special edition DVD, I'm content with my VHS right now, but regardless, see this movie, you'll never forget it. You'll definately come to love it.
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