Vegas Vacation (1997)

Terrible acting, screenplay and direction.

Horrible, fascist and poorly acted

everything you have heard about this movie is true.

What a freaking movie. So many twists and turns. Absolutely intense from start to finish.

I LOVE Christmas Vacation and the first one. European Vacation is ok but Vegas was a stinker. There was nothing really good about this movie, you have seen the EXACT same jokes done better in the previous movies. I really enjoy seeing Clark's antics but in this movie they felt so fake and forced. I am not sure if that was because of the repetition in jokes or the acting was all off. I found the kids story and acting was pretty meh which might have thrown off the rest of the movie. I would recommend any of the previous movies EVEN European Vacation before watching this one.

There are very few good comedies about Las Vegas. Las Vegas is a place that is already weirdly funny and crazy itself, so the fact that so few movies have been able to use Vegas to the best of its comedic potential is somewhat surprising. Out of all the Vegas comedies, Vegas Vacation is the strongest and most re-watchable. It's not even close to a perfect movie by any means, but it is quite enjoyable and a lot of fun to watch.As with all the other films in the 'Vacation' series, the biggest strength of Vegas Vacation is Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo. The two have always seemed like an unlikely couple, but they always have great chemistry together, and it's stronger here than in any of the other Vacation sequels. Chase is a master of broad, physical comedy and D'Angelo plays off his goofiness nicely. D'Angelo has always had the tougher role of the two; she has to balance showing her love for her husband while often being annoyed or angry at his shenanigans. This is a part that could have been portrayed as the nagging wife stereotype that's prevalent in so many comedies, though D'Angelo never even comes close to falling into the category with her performance in any of the movies. Vegas Vacation is probably her best overall performance in the franchise, as she is given much more to do and has one of the better subplots of the movie.One of the trademarks of the series is that Russ and Audrey are portrayed by different cast members in each film. Vegas Vacation is helped enormously by the fact Ethan Embry as Rusty and Marisol Nichols as Audrey are the most likable and natural of those who have played the characters. They seem like real kids here, which makes the film seem like a lot less cartoonish and stupid than it might have with lesser performers. Their reaction to Clark's "kids, remember when you were babies?" cracks me up every time. In a movie filled with memorable quotes, that line and Uncle Eddie's (Randy Quaid)"where can I get some damn bait?" line are the two best moments of the whole film.As much as I like Vegas Vacation, I'll be the first to admit it has a fair amount of scenes that just don't work. Clark swinging across the Hoover Dam remains not only the worst, most desperately unfunny scene of the 'Vacation' franchise, but maybe one of the worst out of any 90s comedy. It looks terrible, and is too dumb even in a franchise known for having a fair amount of stupidity. Additionally, the Siegfried & Roy scene has never been particularly funny either, though it's not painful to sit through.Vegas Vacation is the most family-friendly of the series (it's the only one to be rated PG), and while there are times when it seems like the filmmakers are actively trying to leave out the seedier elements of Vegas, it seems appropriate given that those elements would have clashed with the light-hearted tone the film has. Despite being a PG-rated sequel to the R-rated National Lampoon's Vacation and its PG-13 sequels, the film has the same overall feeling of the other films. The film doesn't really suffer from not being as raunchy as its predecessors.Vegas Vacation isn't the best 'Vacation' movie, or even the best 'Vacation ' sequel. It is, however, better than any fourth installment in a franchise has any right to be. Though it's not an absolute classic like National Lampoon's Vacation, it is a very good comedy about Las Vegas, as well one of the more memorable comedies from the late 1990s. Recommended. 7/10

I'm glad we got to see one more of these Vacation films. I admit, I am a big fan of them, only this time it's a saggy one, where too many gags misfire on the account of them not riding on much, or being really feeble or just unfunny bits, where I dare say, lazy writing was involved. Clark now looks older and again, his kids are replaced by two more actors, the daughter, a really cute Audrey. This time they're off to Vegas, and you know what that means, if you know Clark. We're reunited with cousin Eddy, (Quaid) who provides some relief in the laughter department (almost every scene of his is funny) and too, Wayne Newton, is making the moves on Ellen. Would you believe too, Christie Brinkley returns as that hottie in a sports car + baby. Rusty ends up working as a mobster, while Audrey's introduced to cage dancing. When Clark, turned around his misfortune at the end, picketing that raffle tickle off the floor, after that old codger bought, had me rolling my eyes. This Vacation was sloppy, where as I said, too many gags misfire, where may'be this Vacation came too late. It was just weak on the whole, and I mean it's city of preference, Vegas. I'm with the kid's despondent looks. The return of that original track, Holiday Road, didn't sit well either, with the Griswald's trip to the Hoover Dam. They should of done an Aussie Vaction. Just think of all the damage Clark would of done there.

Its the same kind of plot as all the others, Clark decides to take the family to Vegas, and all starts of shenanigans start. Clark starts to lose all the money, Ellen gets chased by Wayne Newton, Rusty becomes a Player, and Audrey becomes a dancer.Cousin Eddie is along for the ride, and so are bad jokes and bad blue screen.....Even though its the poorest one from the franchise, its still likable, thanks to the chemistry between Chase and D'angelo. They just come off so natural that you really don't care if the jokes are rehashed, and Eddie is just in it to stop lethargy setting in.Its predictable, Clark is the only one who gets over his head, while the other three would probably have the time of their lives if they were just left alone.The script isn't the best, and the Dam tour takes you away front he fundamental elements of the story, but or a final Vacation movie, its not to bad, Chase is always a likable screen presence, and there are far worse ways to spend ninety minutes.Dumb silly fun, that you will forget about the minute you turn the TV off.