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Vacation paved the way for the John Hughes movie dynasty of the 1980s. Written by Hughes (who would go on to write, direct, and/or produce The Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Uncle Buck, Home Alone, and so on) and directed by Harold Ramis (Caddyshack, Groundhog Day, Stuart Saves His Family), the first Vacation movie introduces us to the all-American Griswold family: father Clark (Chevy Chase), mother Ellen (Beverly D’Angelo), son Rusty (future Hughes staple Anthony Michael Hall), and daughter Audrey (Dana Barron). They all pile into the car for a cross-country road trip to Walley World, stopping along the way to view the world’s biggest ball of twine. John Candy, Imogene Coca, and Randy Quaid (as yokel Cousin Eddie) pop up along the way. The movie was a big hit, and was followed by several sequels–National Lampoon’s European Vacation, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, and National Lampoon’s Vegas Vacation–but this one is still probably the freshest and funniest of the bunch. –Jim Emerson
(Instead of reviewing a film you probably already know, I stick to the DVD special features).
Those Extras:
Commentary: Was ok. Chase tries to be funny on every line, Quaid is only in the film for five minutes so he’s basically mute. DeAngelo is also missing. Producer Simmons and Director Ramis come off best with info, but is it just me, or does Ramis sound like he recorded his part seperate from every one else??
New Interviews: Pathetic. They embody some really silly features in the body of the family truckster: Audrey 1, Dana Barron, is actually glimpsed for a second, but isn’t given much to do; some inane stuff involving singing moments from the film, accessed through the truckster radio; Producer Simmons is ok; lenghty talk with stunt coordinator Dick Ziker; and TONS of time spent talking to…..Brinkley??? Hall, Chase, DeAngelo, Quaid, et al are somewhere else.
Introduction: Extremely weak. Chase, Simmons and Quaid sit on a couch for about thrity seconds, Chase cracking bad quips.
Overall: No behind the scenes, and some particulary stupid choices for the things that come closest to it. Ramis and Simmons contributions make this barely worth a buy.
Great movie that still holds up today. Chevy Chase and Anthony Michael Hall make the film with superb performances. As far as the DVD, don’t buy this thinking you are ‘upgrading’ your collection to DVD because the quality is just not there. The disc picture quality is NO better than the VHS and is still pan-n-scan. I did a side by side and I think I almost prefer the VHS picture over the DVD, seems to be clearer. The sound is in MONO, which really takes away from the viewing enjoyment. The only reason to upgrade to DVD on thid one would be for the theatrical trailer or convience of chapter search. There also are a few cast bios but nothing more. I’m almost positive that Criterion or someone will re-release this as a special edition SOMEDAY, as this is a really disgraceful handling of an American Treasure.
Hands down, one of the best comedies of the 80’s. Chevy was at his best and director Harold Ramis was on a role. (Caddyshack and Stripes.)
Many cuts and versions are out there but the truest I’ve seen, so far, is the anniversary edition. It’s in widescreen (I’ve heard matted/cropped,not sure, but??), nice 5.1 mix, some decent special features but where are all those deleted scenes and the alternate ending?
Plus, a big [..] I have. “I’m so exited” was the song played when Christie Brinkley pulls along side Chevy(Clark Griswald) in the original. Why, still is “Little boy sweet” a song also by the Pointer Sisters used instead?? Both songs were used in the movie. The latter in the truckstop sceen where Chevy eats the pissed on sandwhich.
Is the copyright on that song that expensive to get it??
Dunno. Great movie. Lotta fun.
Best DVD of it yet. Agreed??