If you’re a fan of comedies and haven’t seen Vegas Vacation, you might be wondering if it’s worth your time. The 1997 film is the fourth installment in the National Lampoon’s Vacation series, and it stars Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold, a bumbling family man on a disastrous trip to Las Vegas.
Plot Summary
In Vegas Vacation, Clark Griswold wins a family trip to Las Vegas after winning a game show. He takes his wife Ellen (Beverly D’Angelo), son Rusty (Ethan Embry), and daughter Audrey (Marisol Nichols) along for the ride. Once in Sin City, things start to go wrong.
Clark becomes obsessed with winning big at the casino, while Rusty gets into trouble with some high schoolers and Audrey falls for Wayne Newton. Meanwhile, Ellen becomes enamored with Wayne Newton’s brother and cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid) has his own misadventures.
The Good
Vegas Vacation has some funny moments that will make you laugh out loud. Chevy Chase is as charming as ever in his role as Clark Griswold, and Beverly D’Angelo is great as his long-suffering wife.
The film also has some memorable supporting characters, such as Sid Caesar’s Mr. Ellis and Wallace Shawn’s Marty the Blackjack dealer.
The Bad
Unfortunately, Vegas Vacation is not without its flaws. Some of the jokes fall flat or feel forced, and some of the subplots are underdeveloped or unnecessary.
Additionally, the film lacks the heart that made the first two films in the series (National Lampoon’s Vacation and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation) so endearing. It feels like more of a cash grab than a genuine attempt to continue the Griswold family saga.
The Verdict
So, is Vegas Vacation a good movie? It depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re a fan of the National Lampoon’s Vacation series and enjoy Chevy Chase’s comedic style, you’ll probably find something to like in Vegas Vacation.
However, if you’re looking for a film with substance or heart, you might want to look elsewhere. Vegas Vacation is a fun diversion but ultimately forgettable.
- Pros: Funny moments, strong performances from Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo, memorable supporting characters.
- Cons: Some jokes fall flat, underdeveloped subplots, lacks the heart of earlier films in the series.
Final Score:
If we had to give it a score out of 10, we would give it a 6. While it has its flaws, it’s still worth watching if you’re in the mood for a lightweight comedy with some laughs.