Paul Magne Haakonsen
This is the weakest of the Chevy Chase movies in the "National Lampoon's Vacaction" movies. That being said, don't get me wrong here, because it is not a bad movie. It was just lacking that unique comedy touch and outrageous absurdity that was found in the previous movies.The story in "Vegas Vacation" is about the Griswold's trip to sparkling Las Vegas, and nothing goes according to plans. And soon things are spiraling out of control and Las Vegas is turned upside down.Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo carried this movie with their spot on portrayals of the beloved Clark and Ellen Griswold characters. The children are naturally growing up, but it was a bit strange as they had new performers in those roles. Randy Quaid also did a great job in revisiting the lovely cousin Eddie character.The comedy in "Vegas Vacation" was straight to the point and there was the trademark awkward situations, but it was not fully up to the level set in the previous movies. Still a funny movie though, and definitely worth watching.
irishm
I spent most of this movie trying to remember if I had seen it before. That's how memorable it is; it took me an hour and a half to recall that yes, I had seen it a couple years ago along with the European incarnation. I wish I'd remembered that earlier; I'd have watched something else.Dull, boring, unfunny. Chase looks old and somewhat disinterested. Randy Quaid is really the whole show here, and a movie about Cousin Eddie and Cousin Vicky's adventures in Las Vegas would have been infinitely more entertaining. Shae D'lyn was a hoot as Vicky; I liked her on "Dharma & Greg" as well.And not that this is the fault of the movie, but what's up with the Wayne Newton adoration? Personally I find him creepy as all get-out, fake-looking, and not even a great singer... something in the Liberace mold. I guess Vegas is the place for him.Disappointing entry in the series. You don't need to see this one to "complete the set".
Steve Pulaski
This installment of the comedy classic Vacation series is often regarded as "the worst in the series". That couldn't be further from the truth. This is my second favorite in the entire franchise next to the original film. Vegas Vacation was watched by me countless times in the late nineties when I was very young, and really didn't know what the characters were discussing, or even saying for that matter. Along with Fools Rush In, this was my favorite film in my childhood.I recently ran into the National Lampoon's Vacation Collection on Amazon for about $25. What the hell? I'll pay that. I had already watched the first two, and really wanted to dive into the third and rewatch this (keep in mind, at the time, it had been around nine years since I had seen the film). I recently ran into it on Comedy Central, and there was the question again; "what the hell?" The Griswold Family returns to the screen, this time taking a family vacation to Las Vegas. While it isn't much of a family-friendly place, Clark (Chase) and Rusty (Embry) are more than happy to head there and have a damn good time. They even stop at Cousin Eddie's house (Quaid) for more fun, but soon enough, they wind up taking him to Vegas unexpectedly. Let the crazy, nonstop, unrealistic, comedy antics begin. Clark gambles away their money, the wife Ellen (D'Angelo) falls in love with Wayne Newton, Rusty gets a fake ID and wins big, and Audrey (played by the stunning and gorgeous Marisol Nichols) loosens up to become a dancer.It's nothing special, but back in the day, to a five year old, it was colorful, vibrant, jumpy, loud, and off it's own medicine. I loved it. I saw love at first sight when I saw Marisol Nichols play Audrey. Then when I grew older, I questioned if continuity was even brought up when making this sequel. The children look nothing like they did in the first three films. Rusty was an average looking guy, but in this one his a very handsome, grown individual. Audrey has the biggest change of all. She was the homely child in the first three, but in this one she's got black hair and is amazingly gorgeous. Puberty did her well.But who cares? The jokes are somewhat fresh, the scenes are classic (my favorite being the dam boring tour), and the characters return to give it their all once more. Hard to believe that this would be the last time we see these characters in the flesh until thirteen years later when Chevy and Beverly would appear in the short Hotel Hell Vacation. I suspected something like National Lampoon's Australian Vacation, But it was still nice to see them back at it one more time.Vegas Vacation isn't perfect. You could almost think of it has a hopelessly lost spin off that doesn't take too many new routes, or even has appropriately placed characters. It doesn't even have the National Lampoon's name in the title. My only theory is that Warner Bros. (the company that distributed every other Vacation film) wanted to make another film in the franchise. They probably suggested the idea of Vegas with high hopes, National Lampoon maybe scrapped it, and WB went on to do it by themselves with no endorsement of National Lampoon. After all, they do own a part of the name, might as well milk it.No matter, Vegas Vacation is a film I'm proud to call one of my favorite comedies, and my second favorite in the Vacation franchise.Starring: Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Ethan Embry, Marisol Nichols, and Randy Quaid. Directed by: Stephen Kessler.
disdressed12
this fourth installment in the vacation series is close to abysmal in my opinion.it's cheap gimmickry at it lowest.the first three in the series were all very good,pretty much at the same level of quality of jokes and story.this one was neither funny nor clever.the only good thing about the the whole travesty is Wallace Shawn who has a small role as a black jack dealer.his bit is quite funny.but that's it.otherwise it's sheer tedium.it's worth noting that the words "national lampoon" do not appear before the title,so maybe that says something right there.anyway,if i had known how bad this thing was,i would have booked myself self an appointment for a sinus scraping instead.it would have been more enjoyable.i'll give it 3/10 for Wallace Shawn
