Hello, all!
The original VACATION movie must have been pretty good to have spawned all those sequels… or maybe it was its first sequel, NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION, that helped to spawn all those sequels. The first isn’t without its moments – the Grand Canyon bit, for example – but it just didn’t hit on all cylinders with me. Maybe that’s because I was too young to appreciate its brilliance when it was first released, but since I’ve watched it more recently and it still didn’t really deliver, it may just be the material itself.
The sequel, however, has all kinds of moments that still manage to make me bust a gut. Comedies are usually very much subject to the law of diminishing returns and tend to lose their luster after about two or three viewings. With this one, though, even though I’ve probably seen it at least once a year since its release [especially at Christmastime, along with that other classic Christmas film, DIE HARD (I said what I said)] and it still manages to make me laugh.
Right now, you’ve probably got at least two or three lines from the movie buzzing around in your head. With the original film, I remember… that ridiculous car, the ill-fated canine, the dead old lady, the PSYCHO reference, Wally World, and, of course, the Grand Canyon. I’m not saying those were all good bits; it’s really all that is coming to mind when I think about it. The sequel, on the other hand, is something I can quote almost from start to finish. Is that a function of having seen it so many times? Probably, yes… but it’s because it’s so dang good that I’ve watched it as much as I have. I’m guessing you have, too. If not, forget tuning into TBS or any networks of its ilk as soon as your Thanksgiving tryptophan-induced coma subsides, because it’s either this film or A CHRISTMAS STORY. I’ll hope that when you change the dial, it’s at a time when the former is on.
It may not be highbrow entertainment [although, if you’re at all familiar with the old “The Aristocrats” joke, not all comedy fits that bill] but it is freaking hilarious. Enjoy!
Other films recommended:
[Day 1 - THE DARK KNIGHT; Day 2 - DESPERADO; Day 3 - THE ROAD WARRIOR; Day 4 - X2: X-MEN UNITED; Day 5 - TERMINATOR 2: JUDGMENT DAY; Day 6 - DAWN OF THE DEAD; Day 7 - DEADPOOL 2; Day 8 - HOT SHOTS! PART DEUX; Day 9 - STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN; Day 10 - THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS; Day 11 - CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER; Day 12 - ADDAMS FAMILY VALUES; Day 13 - PADDINGTON 2; Day 14 - RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET; Day 15 - LETHAL WEAPON 2; Day 16 - FINAL DESTINATION 2; Day 17 - FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE]
The original VACATION movie must have been pretty good to have spawned all those sequels… or maybe it was its first sequel, NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION, that helped to spawn all those sequels. The first isn’t without its moments – the Grand Canyon bit, for example – but it just didn’t hit on all cylinders with me. Maybe that’s because I was too young to appreciate its brilliance when it was first released, but since I’ve watched it more recently and it still didn’t really deliver, it may just be the material itself.
The sequel, however, has all kinds of moments that still manage to make me bust a gut. Comedies are usually very much subject to the law of diminishing returns and tend to lose their luster after about two or three viewings. With this one, though, even though I’ve probably seen it at least once a year since its release [especially at Christmastime, along with that other classic Christmas film, DIE HARD (I said what I said)] and it still manages to make me laugh.
Right now, you’ve probably got at least two or three lines from the movie buzzing around in your head. With the original film, I remember… that ridiculous car, the ill-fated canine, the dead old lady, the PSYCHO reference, Wally World, and, of course, the Grand Canyon. I’m not saying those were all good bits; it’s really all that is coming to mind when I think about it. The sequel, on the other hand, is something I can quote almost from start to finish. Is that a function of having seen it so many times? Probably, yes… but it’s because it’s so dang good that I’ve watched it as much as I have. I’m guessing you have, too. If not, forget tuning into TBS or any networks of its ilk as soon as your Thanksgiving tryptophan-induced coma subsides, because it’s either this film or A CHRISTMAS STORY. I’ll hope that when you change the dial, it’s at a time when the former is on.
It may not be highbrow entertainment [although, if you’re at all familiar with the old “The Aristocrats” joke, not all comedy fits that bill] but it is freaking hilarious. Enjoy!
Other films recommended:
[Day 1 - THE DARK KNIGHT; Day 2 - DESPERADO; Day 3 - THE ROAD WARRIOR; Day 4 - X2: X-MEN UNITED; Day 5 - TERMINATOR 2: JUDGMENT DAY; Day 6 - DAWN OF THE DEAD; Day 7 - DEADPOOL 2; Day 8 - HOT SHOTS! PART DEUX; Day 9 - STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN; Day 10 - THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS; Day 11 - CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER; Day 12 - ADDAMS FAMILY VALUES; Day 13 - PADDINGTON 2; Day 14 - RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET; Day 15 - LETHAL WEAPON 2; Day 16 - FINAL DESTINATION 2; Day 17 - FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE]
