Nothing says Christmas like going to Church, opening presents, eating warm decorated cookies, and slipping the video into the VCR. That video would be National Lampoons Christmas Vacation, and it should be in every home, because it is the PRIME example of how the Holidays seem bring the stress out in all of us! The third video in the Griswold Family Adventures, this Vacation keeps them in their own home, and brings the beasts of insanity and unreason to their happy home. So let's get our mittens on, strap on our boots, and find that perfect Christmas tree!

Let's meet the Griswold Family~they seem harmless, but you can be the judge of that.

Clark: Chevy Chase
Ellen: Beverly D'Angelo
Audrey:Juliette Lewis
Rusty: Johnny Galecki
Eddie: Randy Quaid

If you don't recognize these names, let me help you out. Chevy Chase was on Saturday Night Live, Fletch, Funny Farm, lots of comedies.
Juliette Lewis is known from being the shy girl in Cape Fear and was the love of Johnny Depp's life in What's Eating Gilbert Grape.
Johnny Galecki is best known as David from the t.v. series "Roseanne."
And Randy Quaid was the screwed up Father of three who saves the world in Independence Day.

The Plot?

Although I LOVE Vegas Vacation, this film is one of my favorites as far as Christmas Films go. The film is real, with the real problems that families seem to face every Holiday Season.

Clark and Ellen's parents are coming to stay with them for the Holidays, along with Eddie and his family, and of course their VERY funny elderly Aunt and Uncle. The main story is about how Clark has invested alot of his time and money into a swimming pool for his family, based on the fact that he should be getting his large bonus check. When it doesn't come, he is obsessed with trying to figure out why, and then Eddie steps in to help him out.

During all of the swimming pool stresses, there are the holiday traditions that we all face and try to do with some dignity. From putting up hundreds of Christmas lights, making the Christmas turkey, and who could forget going out in the forest to cut down the famous family Christmas tree?!
It is so incredibly funny and easy to relate to, that anyone can find a little bit of Griswold down deep inside them. One of my favorite parts is when Clark and his kids go sledding with Eddie, and Clark tries out a new cooking spray on his metal disc sled, and goes sledding out of control down a huge hill and right into a Wal-Mart parking lot!

And who could forget their neighbors in all of this? Yes, that's right, the Griswolds have neighbors, and you can certainly sympathize with what they have to put up with! You will recognize one of the neighbors who played Elaine on Seinfeld- she plays a fed up neighbor who tries to stand up for herself and winds up on the losing end every time. It is quite funny to see the interaction between her and Clark- a not miss!

All in all, the movie ends with some suprises, and definitely will have you grabbing a kleenex to wipe the tears from laughing so hard!

Although for some minor curse words in a speech that Clark gives when given the "Jelly of the Month" club gift certificate, which is one of the funniest moments in the film, it is a clean and fun movie for all ages to enjoy!

If you liked the other Griswold Vacation Films, then you will LOVE this one. Why not rent it today and celebrate Christmas in July!

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children up Ages 8