National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Review

 

        Merry Christmas to you all. I hope everyone has managed to celebrate with your family or friends in this challenging time we are now living in. What can I say about National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Other than the fact that people forget that it’s a third entry in the Vacation series and the only good sequel to a classic. Having watched both Vacation movies in different time, I can understand why this one is good. While still being funny and not relying on having to watch the first or second movie. 

1. What’s a National Lampoon?

        So to those who have no clue to what "National Lampoon" is, let me give you the very basic. It was a satirizing magazine back in the day. Sort of like "MAD" magazine, it was poking fun at just about anything. The brand was popular that it spun off to include movies and live theater to name a few. 

        One of the first successful "Lampoon" movies was Animal House. It was a game changing comedy movie back in the day and it was partly inspired by the articles within the magazine. Someday I’ll have to talk about Animal House. 

        The Vacation series started as a small story that John Hughes wrote from his odd trip to Disney Land. The story named “Vacation ‘58” detailed how the road trip went to the theme park. It’s a great read and it was surprising that his Dad actually threatened Walt Disney. Anyways, the film was commissioned, and it was a breakout hit for Hughes who wrote the script and for director Harold Ramis. Who would later star in Ghostbusters among other comedic classics. 

2. Griswold Vacation

        What makes Christmas Vacation work is that it doesn’t involve a journey like the first or second movie. Instead, it’s celebrating the holiday that involves a somewhat normal family. For instance, Clark celebrates it to the Nth degree by having his house decorated with a variety of lights and to get the biggest tree. Not knowing that it won’t fit. We actually do have a scene that really captures in essence why Clark is all in on the Holiday. 

        While stuck in the attic, he views some old family reels that involved him and his family celebrating Christmas. He wants to recreate that experience but make it even more bigger and gaudier. Although everything keeps going wrong, but it's one of those things where it doesn't deter him in the slightest. 

        But I feel what makes it equal to the first one is that it has a good supporting cast. The family comes in and it’s really something where they each stare at the door with doom when they hear the doorbell ring. With the touch having it pitch lower like it’s a funeral bell. The family is a good kind of annoying. Always on Clark’s case about everything. 

        Although one in particular steals the show. Cousin Eddie is the good hearted buffoon that Clark want’s nothing to do with. The charm is that he’s from the rural parts of the country and has his quirks that annoy Clark. One redeeming thing about Eddie is his family, especially his daughter. The scene involving her and Clark is sweet since he has the Christmas spirit to cheer her up. Since her family is broke. 

        The real framing story is Clark expecting a bonus to construct a pool. His boss is a real curmudgeon, and it gets to a point where Eddie does something drastic. It’s one of the things that I’ve noticed in the good Lampoon films. Where they have the working class and affluent clash in a sense. Here its Clark’s festive spirit intruding on the neighbors who intentionally become the butt of the joke. And him not getting something from his cheapskate boss since he believes he deserves it.

3. Legacy

        Every time it’s December you can find the movie along with other holiday films from Warner Bros. in every store. I think it says a lot that it holds up 30 years later, since it’s relatable. Having to put up with family and your boss can really dent a person who’s trying to celebrate the holiday. 

        It’s only fitting that I bring up the sequel to this specific movie. No, not Vegas Vacation which doesn’t even have "National Lampoon" on it. Cousin Eddie has his own movie that has the guts to say Christmas Vacation 2. Just to put it bluntly, it’s horrible, terrible, and any other negative word that summarizes just how horrendous the movie is. 

4. Overall

        Bottom line, Christmas Vacation is the last great "National Lampoon" movie before the name got associated with crap. It’s a holiday classic that isn’t crass or too vulgar. But one that is hilarious for anyone who wants to watch the Griswolds trying to celebrate the holidays.