If you’re a fan of the National Lampoon’s Vacation franchise, you might be wondering whether the movie “Vacation” is a sequel to the original film. The short answer is yes, “Vacation” is indeed a sequel to the classic comedy movie that starred Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold, a hapless family man who takes his family on a disastrous road trip across America. In this article, we’ll explore the connection between these two movies and how they relate to each other.
The Origins of National Lampoon’s Vacation
Before we delve into the connection between “National Lampoon’s Vacation” and “Vacation,” it’s important to understand the origins of the first movie. The original film was released in 1983 and was written by John Hughes, who would later go on to write and direct many other iconic movies such as “The Breakfast Club,” “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” and “Home Alone.” The film was directed by Harold Ramis and starred Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold, Beverly D’Angelo as his wife Ellen, and Anthony Michael Hall as their son Rusty.
What Happens in National Lampoon’s Vacation?
In “National Lampoon’s Vacation,” Clark Griswold decides to take his family on a cross-country road trip from their home in Chicago to Walley World, an amusement park in California. Along the way, they encounter all sorts of obstacles and mishaps, including getting lost in St. Louis, having their car stolen in East St. Louis, getting stuck in the desert without water or gas, and crashing into a trucker’s trailer.
Despite all these setbacks, Clark remains determined to get his family to Walley World no matter what it takes. In the end, they finally make it to their destination only to find that the park is closed for repairs. Clark, in a fit of rage, forces his way into the park and takes his family on all the rides before getting arrested.
The Connection Between National Lampoon’s Vacation and Vacation
Now that we’ve covered the plot of “National Lampoon’s Vacation,” let’s talk about how it relates to “Vacation.” The 2015 movie “Vacation” is a sequel to the original film and follows the adventures of a grown-up Rusty Griswold (played by Ed Helms) as he takes his own family on a road trip to Walley World. Along for the ride are his wife Debbie (Christina Applegate) and their two sons James and Kevin.
Like his father before him, Rusty encounters all sorts of obstacles along the way, including getting into a car accident with some tourists from Albania, visiting his sister Audrey (Leslie Mann) in Texas and finding out that her husband Stone (Chris Hemsworth) is well-endowed, and going on a white-water rafting adventure that ends with them being attacked by a trucker.
Despite all these setbacks, Rusty remains determined to get his family to Walley World no matter what it takes. In the end, they finally make it to their destination only to find that the park is closed for good. However, Rusty manages to convince a security guard to let them in and they have the time of their lives before heading back home.
Conclusion
In conclusion, “Vacation” is indeed a sequel to “National Lampoon’s Vacation” and follows in its footsteps by telling the story of another hapless Griswold family road trip. While the two films are different in many ways, they share a similar spirit of adventure, humor, and perseverance in the face of adversity. If you’re a fan of one movie, you’re sure to enjoy the other as well!