If you’re a fan of the National Lampoon’s Vacation movie series, you may remember the fourth installment, “Vegas Vacation.” This film follows the Griswold family as they head to Las Vegas for a family vacation.
However, upon its release in 1997, the film received mixed reviews and disappointed at the box office. So, was Vegas Vacation a flop?
The Plot
In “Vegas Vacation,” Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) wins a family trip to Las Vegas on a game show. The Griswolds arrive in Sin City and embark on various adventures, including gambling, seeing shows, and visiting famous landmarks.
Throughout the film, Clark becomes obsessed with winning big at the casino while his wife Ellen (Beverly D’Angelo) gets caught up in a romance with Wayne Newton. Meanwhile, their teenage son Rusty (Ethan Embry) finds himself constantly getting into trouble.
The Reception
“Vegas Vacation” was met with mixed reviews from critics. Some praised the film for its humor and nostalgic value as part of the National Lampoon’s Vacation series. However, others criticized it for being predictable and lacking in originality.
The film also underperformed at the box office, grossing only $36 million domestically against its $25 million budget. This was significantly less than previous films in the series such as “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” which grossed over $70 million domestically.
The Legacy
Despite its mixed reception and disappointing box office performance, “Vegas Vacation” has since become a cult classic among fans of the National Lampoon’s Vacation series. Its portrayal of Las Vegas has also become iconic in pop culture.
Additionally, “Vegas Vacation” marked the last time that Chevy Chase reprised his role as Clark Griswold in a Vacation film. The series would continue with a reboot in 2015, which featured Ed Helms as a grown-up Rusty Griswold.
The Verdict
So, was “Vegas Vacation” a flop? In terms of critical and financial success, it may have been considered one.
However, its cult following and iconic portrayal of Las Vegas suggest that it still holds value for fans of the series. Ultimately, whether or not you consider it a flop is up to personal opinion.
- Pros: Humorous, nostalgic value for fans of the series, iconic portrayal of Las Vegas.
- Cons: Predictable, lacking in originality, underperformed at the box office.
In Conclusion
While “Vegas Vacation” may not have been a critical or financial success at the time of its release, it has since become a beloved classic among fans of the National Lampoon’s Vacation series. Its portrayal of Las Vegas has also become an iconic part of pop culture. Whether or not you consider it a flop ultimately comes down to personal opinion, but there’s no denying that it still holds value for many viewers today.