National Lampoon’s Vacation is a classic comedy film franchise that follows the misadventures of the Griswold family as they embark on various road trips and vacations. With over five movies in the franchise, it can be hard to determine which one stands out as the best. In this article, we’ll explore each movie in the series and determine which one truly reigns supreme.
The Original: National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983)
National Lampoon’s Vacation, directed by Harold Ramis, follows Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) and his family as they embark on a cross-country road trip from Chicago to Los Angeles to visit Walley World amusement park. Along the way, they encounter a series of mishaps and obstacles that threaten to derail their vacation.
This movie is widely considered the best in the franchise for its hilarious storyline, iconic characters, and memorable scenes. Chevy Chase’s portrayal of Clark Griswold is an instant classic, and his interactions with his family are relatable yet uproarious. The film also features standout performances from Beverly D’Angelo as Clark’s wife Ellen and Randy Quaid as Cousin Eddie.
European Vacation (1985)
The second installment in the franchise takes the Griswolds across Europe on a vacation prize they won on a game show. While this movie does have its funny moments, it falls short compared to its predecessor.
The jokes are hit or miss, and some of them feel forced. The European setting doesn’t add much to the story either.
- Pros: Some funny moments, Chevy Chase still delivers as Clark Griswold
- Cons: Forced jokes, weak storyline
Christmas Vacation (1989)
Christmas Vacation sees the Griswold family at home celebrating the holidays. When Clark’s parents and in-laws come to stay, chaos ensues.
This movie is a holiday classic that is beloved by many. The humor is on point, and the performances from the cast are top-notch.
- Pros: Hilarious holiday movie, memorable characters, great performances
- Cons: None
Vegas Vacation (1997)
The fourth installment in the franchise takes the Griswolds to Las Vegas for a wild vacation. While there are some funny moments in this film, it doesn’t quite live up to its predecessors. The jokes feel tired, and some of the characters are underutilized.
- Pros: Some funny moments, Chevy Chase still delivers as Clark Griswold
- Cons: Tired jokes, weak storyline
Vacation (2015)
Vacation serves as both a sequel and a reboot to the franchise. This time around, we follow an adult Rusty Griswold (Ed Helms) as he takes his own family on a road trip to Walley World. While there are some funny moments in this movie, it fails to capture the magic of the original.
- Pros: Some funny moments, good performances from Ed Helms and Christina Applegate
- Cons: Fails to capture the magic of the original, weak storyline
The Verdict: National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983)
After analyzing each movie in the franchise, it’s clear that the original National Lampoon’s Vacation is the best. It has all the elements of a classic comedy film, including memorable characters, hilarious moments, and a relatable storyline. While some of the sequels have their own merits, they don’t quite live up to the original.
So there you have it – if you’re looking for a movie to watch from the National Lampoon’s Vacation franchise, start with the original. It’s a timeless classic that will have you laughing from beginning to end.