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Reviews of Christmas Vacation
National Lampoon's Christmas Classic!
Posted : 11 months, 2 weeks ago on 26 December 2008 03:00
(A review of Christmas Vacation)"Where do you think you're going? Nobody's leaving. Nobody's walking out on this fun, old-fashioned family Christmas. No, no. We're all in this together. This is a full-blown, four-alarm holiday emergency here. We're gonna press on, and we're gonna have the hap, hap, happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap-danced with Danny fucking Kaye. And when Santa squeezes his fat white ass down that chimney tonight, he's gonna find the jolliest bunch of assholes this side of the nuthouse."
Quality Christmas movie are hard to come by. Awful Christmas films are all over the place. Santa Claus Conquers the Martians, Jingle All the Way, Deck the Halls, Christmas with the Kranks...the list is endless. Over the years it's become an unfortunate time-honoured tradition for studios to distribute holiday films as the Christmas season approaches, quality be damned. Only a handful are destined to become true holiday classics. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is one such classic. In the grand pantheon of classic Christmas films, Christmas Vacation - the third (mis)adventure of the Griswold family - is undoubtedly one of the best (if not the best). Everyone has a favourite Christmas film to view as part of their annual customs on Christmas Eve. For many (myself included), it truly isn't Christmas unless a screening of Christmas Vacation is beheld. Why is this film held in such high regard? The answer is simple, really - it's a terrific onslaught of memorable, hilarious laughs combined with a poignant sense of the Christmas spirit.
In this entry to the Vacation series, the Griswold family are staying at home for the Christmas holidays. Clark Griswold (Chase) is really getting into the spirit this year, and aims to create the perfect old-fashioned family Christmas. There isn't too much plot to be observed here - just a straightforward string of great laughs and enjoyable scenarios. The basics of the story concern Clark's struggle to create the ultimate picture-book Christmas for his family. The in-laws turn up, as do Clark's parents and a barrage of other family members. But, predictably, things go from bad to worse as the Griswold family Christmas descends into total catastrophe. Clark's dreams are slowly squandered as the holy day approaches. With irritable neighbours, odious relatives and plain bad luck, this season will test Clark's endurance as he tries to weather this storm and provide a decent, memorable festive season.
At its heart, Christmas Vacation is about the struggle to go above and beyond for the sake of family. Clark (God bless him!) is willing to move heaven and earth in order to guarantee his family will experience the best "Griswold Family Christmas" possible. Perhaps he's slightly over-the-top most of the time, but on the inside Clark is just a hardworking bloke trying to ensure the contentment of his family. Christmas Vacation was written by John Hughes (also responsible for The Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller's Day Off - i.e. the classic 80s teen flicks), and therein justifies its boundless appeal. Hughes' screenplay isn't merely a brainless sequence of slapstick - there's an abundance of quality humour for sure, but it has a strong heart at its centre, and Hughes manages to encapsulate the true spirit of the festive period. Time and time again, Hughes has demonstrated that familial values and the little things in life are worth pointing a magnifying glass at. Christmas Vacation is extremely easy to enjoy, and even easier to relate to - whether it's troubles with the Christmas tree, irritating oldies, the decorations, the gifts, the turkey...Hughes effortlessly captures the magic and the familiar dilemmas of the period with sugar-coated merriment.
Christmas Vacation also conveys a strong message, as all Christmas movies do. It has nothing to do with the birth of Christ or the Three Wise Men...instead it speaks volumes about being with loved ones and family during the holidays, and that regardless of any mishaps that materialise one can always find fun and laughter in the little moments that make life special.
This reviewer watches National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation every Christmas Eve. No matter how many times one views this wonderful movie, it never gets old. First-rate laughs are continuous, and even after multiple screenings they're still funny. There are countless moments capable of triggering uncontrollable laughter due to their relatability and realism (if that's the correct term to use). Clark's road rage with two hillbillies interfering with the perfect Christmas tree search...Clark's constant struggle to get the Christmas lights working...a ruined Christmas dinner...we've all been there before, and can all relate to at least a few of the scenarios. Hughes rarely goes over-the-top, instead primarily grounding the gags in reality. The over-the-top laughs are still hilarious nevertheless (a saucer travelling as fast as lightning may be impossible...but I'll be damned if I ever stopped laughing as it looks hilarious, and small lines of dialogue (most of which will be inaudible amidst your uncontainable laughter) will tickle your funny bone). The film moves at a pleasing pace from one memorable scene to the one succeeding it. Every single scene will become eternally embedded in your memory, yet you'll want to view another screening before the credits even begin to roll.
John Hughes scripted the first two Vacation entries (National Lampoon's Vacation and the decidedly disappointing European Vacation), but left the director's chair vacant. Those who directed the first two films (Harold Ramis directed Vacation, Amy Heckerling helmed European Vacation) went on to become household names. It's somewhat surprising that Christmas Vacation director Jeremiah Chechik went on to create such dirge as The Avengers. Regardless of Chechik's rather tragic career as a whole, he nevertheless still directed this Christmas classic. Christmas Vacation is competently-made; special effects have barely dated (the saucer scene does look a tad dodgy, though), production values are wonderful to behold (Clark's decorated house looks magnificent), key scenes are superbly orchestrated (the squirrel attack sequence never treads a foot wrong) and director of photography Thomas Ackerman captures the sets + locations skilfully (the opening tree hunt takes great advantage of the capabilities of widescreen). On top of this, the soundtrack is an enchanting cocktail of timeless Christmas tunes and original music. From the Griswold rendition of Deck the Halls to Ray Charles' The Spirit of Christmas, the songs included will further evoke the holiday spirit in a viewer.
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation also proves that Chevy Chase was once funny. Even if you're not Chevy Chase fan (I simply tremble at the thought), it's difficult not to laugh at his blundering antics as he fumbles his way through the jolliest holiday of all. Chase may not be the most honoured thespian in history, but when it comes to Clark Griswold he has it down to a tee. Initially a merry soul before delving into frustration and anger, Clark is the definitive embodiment of all who have endured the trials and tribulations of the Christmas season. Hughes' screenplay sheds light on all the nuances and dilemmas that constitute one of the most jolly (and stressful) times of the year. While Clark searches for the perfect gift for his wife at the mall, he continually sputters words as he pretends not to notice the store clerk's bountiful bosom. When the word "nippley" is substituted for "nippy", you truly know you have something special on your hands.
The always watchable Beverly D'Angelo shares great chemistry with Chase, making their marriage a great comedic partnership. As for the kids (Rusty and Audrey) there's young Johnny Galecki and Juliette Lewis, respectively. They're arguably the best pair to tackle the characters.
Chase doesn't deliver all the best laughs - he receives great assistance from Randy Quaid playing the repulsive Cousin Eddie who shows up unannounced with maniacal energy (it's hard to believe Randy and Dennis Quaid are from the same gene pool). Quaid's best moment is, of course, when he stands outside in his bathrobe emptying the contents of his "shitter" into a storm drain. As Catherine - Eddie's wife - Miriam Flynn is very appealing. Both Quaid and Flynn also starred in the original National Lampoon's Vacation.
The two kids of Eddie and Catherine provide great moments of comedy. Oh, and I can't forget to mention their dog (named Snots, for obvious reasons).
Also in the supporting cast are two sets of grandparents, a cantankerous uncle (Hickey), a clueless aunt (Questal, who was the voice of Betty Boop) and two arrogant neighbours condemned to suffer through Clark's shenanigans (Louis-Dreyfus, Guest). So many greatly realised characters vying for screen-time, with some quite underused to be honest.
Frequently cited as the best of the Vacation series and one of the best Christmas films ever made, nothing can seriously derail National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. First-time director Chechik has transformed John Hughes' masterful screenplay into a tour de force of comedy; a rare film balancing hilarious laughs with moments of satisfying poignancy. Even the opening credits sequence is terrific - a wonderful nod to the classic animated holiday movies of old. Christmas Vacation never gets mired in cringe-worthy sentimentality, nor does it deliver hackneyed messages. It reminds us that no matter what mishaps or disasters befall us...familial relationships are what truly matter.
That, and never light a match near a sewerage drain.
Christmas Vacation is funny, touching, entertaining and extremely watchable. It's a Christmas classic that continues to delight audiences when the annual festive season is upon us. We all have a favourite Christmas movie...this is mine. It's more memorable and enjoyable than A Christmas Story, far jollier than It's a Wonderful Life, and far better than all those trite Hollywood holiday flicks (i.e. those mentioned at the commencement of this review). If you've never viewed this classic, wonderful gem, then watch it at the earliest opportunity. It's full of funny moments and great performances, and it will warm the coldest heart.
If Christmas Vacation doesn't make you giggle numerous times, then you obviously don't understand the true meaning of Christmas - which is, of course, flammable toilets and electrified cats.
9.2/10
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Christmas Vacation review
Posted : 2 years, 8 months ago on 16 March 2007 06:30
(A review of Christmas Vacation)Classic family fun.
This is one of the imperative films that I watch every single christmas and it never gets old. Contrary to the bemoaning of the TV christmas film schedule that I hear from my family, I pray that this classic is shown every year. It encapsulates the mood of christmas perfectly for me.
Chevy Chase and his band of SNL men are perhaps my favourite actors. They evoke such a strong sense of nostalgia whenever I see them on the big screen in their prime. It almost makes me feel old when I think how much they've aged since these films were made. Oh well, just another reason to appreciate such a staple classic of the christmas film diet.
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