Review of Vacation (2015) by Boogie B — 26 Aug 2016

Round up the Family and Return to Wally World! (Not Wal-Mart).

A new generation of Griswold's ride the highway.

"I've never even heard of the original vacation." The kid tells his parents.

"Doesn't matter," his father replies. "The new vacation will stand on its own.".

The film National Lampoon's Vacation, sometimes referred to as Vacation, is a 1983 American comedy film directed by Harold Ramis and starring Chevy Chase (Saturday Night Live, Hot Tub Time Machine), Beverly D'Angelo (Annie Hall, American History X), Randy Quaid (Caddyshack 2, Brokeback Mountain), Dana Barron (Christmas Vacation 2, Death Wish 4), and 1980s icon Anthony Michael Hall (Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club). John Candy (Space balls, Home Alone), Imogene Coca (her work includes various television shows), Christie Brinkley (model, and various commercials), and Jane Krakowski (Fatal Attraction, Pixels) appear in supporting roles. The screenplay was written by one of my favorite directors, and another 1980s icon, John Hughes (Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club). It is based on his short story "Vacation '58" which appeared in National Lampoon.

Since then, we have had many Vacation films, the most recent one being the 2015 reboot Vacation. Written and directed by Jonathan Goldstein (Has been a writer for The PJ's and The Geena Davis Show) and John Francis Daley (Freaks and Geeks, Horrible Bosses). This film marks their directorial debuts. It stars Ed Helms (The Hangover, We're the Miller's), Christina Applegate (Anchorman, Bad Moms), Skyler Gisondo (2007s Halloween, Air Buddies) Steele Stebbins (A Haunted House 2), Leslie Mann (Funny People, This is 40), Chris Hemsworth (Thor, The Avengers), Beverly D'Angelo and Chevy Chase. It is the fifth installment of the Vacation film series, the second not to carry the National Lampoon name after Vegas Vacation, and was released by New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. on July 29, 2015.

When this film came out it received some nasty reviews, and for that exact reason, I decided not to see this film at the theaters. I decided to watch it at the comfort of my own home, and I am glad I did. I would not have paid full price to see this film, but at the end of the day I am glad I saw it.

One thing I did not enjoy in the film is the constant reminder of we are not the old vacation. We are something new. It was trying too hard to be self aware, very much like the 21 Jump Street film. The original film is a classic. It is funny; it had a statement to make about families, American vacations, and the love of the family. It was the family along with the situations that made it great. The filmmakers knew, that the situations cannot out due the character development of the family. With this new film, the situations out do the characters. Honestly, the family comes off a little unlikeable. The yell and use profanity at each other, fight, talk bad about each other behind each other's back (Yes, I'm looking at you Christina Applegate), and like a dysfunctional family. If the biggest compliment you can find about the family is that they are dysfunctional, maybe they should consider some rewrites. That way we slightly care more about the characters.

"DON'T SAY WEIRD SH*T!".

In my opinion, the best surprises come from the back seat of the car. Whereas "the original had a brother and sister, this time we've got two boys." The big twist is that the younger brother, Kevin, played by Steele Stebbins. He is the standout of the film. He made me laugh constantly. Even though he is the alpha, constantly bullying his dopier, sweeter older brother James, played by Skyler Gisondo. It starts out with name-calling, but leads to some shockingly dark places, such as a repeated gag where Kevin manically tries to smother James with a plastic bag.

The movie does have some laugh aloud moments. I never knew Chris Hemsworth could be so funny. His comedic timing is perfect, his delivery is funny, and he really surprised me here.

Even though I previously wrote that the situations out do the family, the situations are actually somewhat funny. Some of them are a hit and miss, but I personally enjoyed most of them. Even though it is one vulgar joke after another that does not really, lead anywhere, I did laugh more than I criticized. It's not as good as the original, but it is at least a onetime watch.

SO HOW IS CHEVY AND THE REST OF THE FAMILY DOING?

One word, and that word is just, decent. Do not go in here expecting the old Chevy Chase. I cannot tell if he was acting, or if he really is a crazy old man know. There is a scene in the movie, where Chevy holds up his grandkids. When he walks away with his kids, it was so obvious it was a stuntman wearing a toupee. I believe, at this point in his career, Chevy should just stick to simple cameos at this point.

So these are my final Bitchin' Buddha thoughts on the film Vacation. The film is childish and badly written at some parts. It is not very shocking anymore to see fecal matter on screen anymore, or hear a kid use profanity, it's been done. I did laugh, thought the cameos we're well done, and something to watch if you are bored. The movie does have flaws, and is not as great as the original, but it is a good time waster. I believe this film earns a...

3 out of 5.

Thank you all for reading and or viewing, and I hope you all have an amazing day as always.