National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)

Clark Wilhelm Griswold wants to have a special "Griswold Family Christmas", and after months of careful planning, he invites both his parents and his wife, Ellen's parents. Clark tries to make sure everything is in line from preparing his house with over 20,000 lights and the family tree but with his cousin, Eddie and his family showing up unplanned, things become increasingly difficult. As Christmas Eve comes, Clark will soon realize that plenty of unfortunate events will begin unravelling around him. Can Clark keep it together and understand the true meaning of Christmas? This is a magnificent comedic Christmas classic that you can watch again and again, never getting old and remaining hilarious. Following the events of the previous films: National Lampoon's Vacation (1983) and National Lampoon's European Vacation (1985), the Griswolds try playing it safe by staying home for the festive holidays, but in the usual Griswold fashion, things just can't go right. Most people will be able to connect and relate to this film in some way, since families may experience something going wrong during these occasions at one time. Well, hopefully not the extent of this family's holiday. This is easily the best film in the Lampoon's Vacation series and the most loved. Personally, this was the first film I saw from the series before the others and instantly fell in love with its impeccable comedy. I found myself laughing from beginning to end with the amazing characters, who have brilliant lines and chemistry, as well as some hysterical slapstick scattered throughout. I think my favourite character has to be Clark because, like the last films, his side-splitting quips, which he is so quick at delivering and not to mention his frequent anger outbreaks where he goes completely insane. Some of his best scenes involve my other favourite character, Eddie who causes nothing but trouble for Clark and brings about some of the funniest lines in the whole film. For example, Eddie: "You surprised?", Clark: "Surprised, Eddie? If I woke up tomorrow with my head sewn to the carpet, I wouldn't be more surprised than I am right now." Not to mention the forever quotable "Merry Christmas! Shitter was full." There are so many great lines in this film that will forever be recited by my family and me every year thanks to this classic. To say that the Griswold Family Christmas suffers from some issues and goings wrong would be the understatement of the century. The visiting family causes many problems, decorations won't work, Clark gets trapped in the attic, a squirrel terrorises the house, the Christmas tree burst up in flames, there's a kidnapping, a cat explodes, the neighbour's house is destroyed and armed police break into the house. Now, doesn't that sound like the perfect Christmas Holiday? They managed to take the wacky situations of the previous instalments and dial them up by a hundred for this film as it is practically the perfect entertainment. Christmas Vacation is also very festive, from all the beautiful decorations, music, colours, lights and traditions that so many of us partake in ourselves like the reading of the Night Before Christmas and more. It is nice that by the end, despite all the mishaps and troubles the family goes through, in the end, things all go right (kind of) with them all having the perfect Christmas. Overall, what isn't there to enjoy from this iconic holiday movie? It's a perfect sequel to two already superb films, it's another film from the phenomenal decade of the 80s and it's a jolly, fun comedy set during the most wonderful time of the year. The definitive must-see of the Christmas period. Also, check out the final film in the series, Vegas Vacation (1997).

Runtime: 1h 37m

Director: Jeremiah S. Chechik

Genre: Comedy

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National Lampoon's European Vacation (1985)

After surviving the Wally World expedition in National Lampoon's Vacation (1983), the Griswolds embark on a fascinating, worry-free, all-expenses-paid trip to Europe, courtesy of the popular TV game show, Pig in a Poke. This time, the merry holidaymaker Clark Griswold, his wife, Ellen, and their teenage children, Audrey and Rusty, find themselves in a race against the clock, trying to see as many sights as possible in London, Paris, Germany, and Rome. Once more, disaster follows, as British driving catastrophes occur, unforgivable fashion crimes in the City of Lights, a daunting language barrier in a Bavarian village, and a brush with the law in Rome stand in the way of happiness. Can the Griswolds survive the European Vacation and can Europe survive the Griswolds? The Griswalds are back in this sequel to the brilliant comedic classic and now we see them travel to some of the most famous landmarks of Europe. As you can imagine, things are bound to go wrong, and they most certainly do in their usual wacky fashion. I love this movie series as each one is thoroughly enjoyable and this one was no exception. As I previously stated on the first film, Clark Griswald is easily my favourite character. He continues to be hilariously oblivious, causing all of the problems they encounter, practically destroying everything in his wake, most of which without even realising it. One of my favourite sequences occurs during their first flight, where each member dreams about the possibilities of their adventure, which leads to some hysterical sequences. Like, for example, Helen imagines meeting the Queen, who is so ecstatic to see the Griswolds as if they were themselves celebrities. Since the Griswolds are from America, we see them struggle with adjusting to driving on the other side of the road in England. It was a really amusing scene due to the fact he managed to hit 3 separate people within a manner of minutes. Seeing some famous British actors playing these people affected by Clark's driving was excellent to see, especially since they were all being so incredibly nice despite having their vehicles absolutely demolished. Even one cyclist, played by the fantastic Eric Idle, gets hit being knocked off his bike by Clark's car which results in him having broken bones and blood spewing out all over and yet was still kind enough to give them directions. The funniest part about this whole scene is that it is a complete contrast to how a British person would react to such an incident in reality. If you thought just the pedestrians were the only ones in danger, you are greatly mistaken. One of the biggest highlights of this movie is seeing the family visit Stonehenge. Seeing Clark gives a long speech about how monumental this site is to his unimpressed kids, noting how the stones date as far back as 2000BC. Only for him to drive backwards right into them leading to each one falling in a domino effect. Such a well-executed bit that no matter how obvious it is going to happen it is still just as funny every time. It doesn't stop there either. They end up getting insulted by French waiters who realise they don't speak the language, Clark starts a huge brawl at a folk dance and Helen gets involved in a kidnapping! I'm sure everyone can relate to the premise of the story about having a vacation where something goes wrong sometime in your life, however, I doubt it could be anything as wacky and unbelievable as the Griswolds, but I like how it takes it to the extreme. Both Audrey and Rusty have changed actors/actresses for this film, which seems to be a running gag in the series as neither would reappear in the next and it is quite bizarre how each one brings new versions. What's even more peculiar is the fact they swap ages in the next flick as well as their actors. Overall, another fabulous addition to the National Lampoon's Vacation series, delivering something new whilst keeping the same beloved formula. Not only a fabulous comedy classic that you should view before partaking in any vacation but a superb 80s movie too. If you loved the first, then this is undoubtedly one for you. Also, check out the next and best one in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989).

Runtime: 1h 35m

Director: Amy Heckerling

Genre: Adventure / Comedy

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National Lampoon's Vacation (1983)

Having it all planned down to the last detail, Clark Griswold and his supportive wife Ellen take their two teenagers, Rusty and Audrey, on a cross-country trip from the suburbs of Chicago to sunny California's Walley World amusement Park. Clark must, and will, do everything he can to find the promised land. However, anything that could possibly go wrong does, and before long Ellen's cousin, Catherine and her husband Eddie enter the picture and Clark is on the verge of blowing a gasket. Their intervention results in the Griswold family giving cantankerous Aunt Edna a lift to Phoenix making Roy Walley's wonderful park seem farther and farther away. How hard can it be to have the perfect vacation? National Lampoon has brought us so many incredible comedic films and none are more hilarious than the Vacation movies. National Lampoon's Vacation is the first instalment in the series and is a magnificent starting point. Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) has to be the funniest character in the whole film and even in the later movies. His witty comments, over-the-top expressions and moments of complete madness where he completely breaks out, going to the extreme make him such an enjoyable protagonist with countless brilliant scenes to laugh at. He is easily my favourite member of the Griswold family who only gets better with each movie. I also love Ellen (Beverly D'Angelo) who always puts up with Clark despite his constant mishaps, which shows how much she truly loves him, especially after considering how much they all go through thanks to Clark's actions, it's incredible she sticks with him even through the later films too. However, she doesn't put up with him all the time, freaking out over his stupidity which is very frequent but leads to some fantastic moments of the two having an equal outburst of craziness. One aspect I find so strange yet amusing in each of the Vacation movies is that Rusty and Audrey keep changing actors/actresses for every new instalment. Not only that but they even change in age difference, which is just so random and quite funny to me as once you get used to one duo the next film brings completely different people. One of the coolest things that I absolutely love about this flick is the poster because it both exaggerates and perfectly describes the movie. It displays this adventure as something like out of a fantasy film with the muscular man wielding his sword (or in this case tennis racket) overhead with the overall dramatised appearance. There are far too many great scenes to count but I shall name a few of the highlights with the first being, Clark and Rusty racing one another to the Wally World amusement park to the song from Chariots of Fire (1981). Clark looks so overcome with joy at the fact that they have finally made it there after all the detours and issues. What makes the scene just pure gold is that when they finally get to the gate we find out it's closed for repairs for 2 weeks. Honestly, such a beautiful sequence that I'll never forget. They take it to a whole other level when Clark proceeds to get a gun and hold the security man hostage, making him take them on all the rides. Having their hostage partake in the amusements was very entertaining, seeing him forced to enjoy himself to the point where he really was. I think this is one of those perfect films to connect with because not every holiday goes to plan with some problems on the way and this film just explores that to the max which is why I find it to be so timeless. The music in this movie is very energetic, especially in the case of the theme song of the film: 'Holiday Road' by Lindsey Buckingham, which is such a feel-good song for those long rides that this film displays. Overall, this is a great summertime feel movie filled with those great 80s vibes we all love with superb comedy, stupendous acting and great musical numbers. This is one vacation you cannot miss out on, so hop in for the ride of a lifetime in National Lampoon's Vacation. If you loved this phenomenal 80s classic then you have got to check out the equally amazing sequel: National Lampoon's European Vacation (1985) which sees our favourite family take their antics to other countries.

Runtime: 1h 38m

Director: Harold Ramis

Genre: Adventure / Comedy

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