Review of National Lampoon's Vacation (1983) by Nik B — 04 Feb 2012

Not as funny as I remember it from the 80s. The Christmas sequal being a far better vehicle for these characters. It takes about a half hour into the movie before the Griswald's even get on the road to make any funny whatsoever.

The hijinx are mostly cheap too, until we get to the cousin's farm in Kansas. After that the digression builds steam. Aunt Edna adding annoyance. It was key that we see Clark freak out a little on the way before he completely loses it in the end.

Otherwise, his anger would not have made as much sense. But I think we were fairly shown that the matriarch, while loving and sweet, still has some serious control disorders.