Vegas Vacation (1997)

User Rating:

5.5/10   

Director:

Stephen Kessler

Writers (WGA):

Elisa Bell (story) &
Bob Ducsay (story) ...

Release Date:

14 February 1997 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

This time the Griswolds are on a roll.

Plot:

The Griswolds head off for Las Vegas, as Clark got an extra bonus for developing a food preservative...

Plot Keywords:

Vacation | Gambling | Casino | Family Vacation | Hoover Dam

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Chevy Chase	...	Clark Griswold
Beverly D'Angelo	...	Ellen Griswold
Randy Quaid	...	Cousin Eddie
Ethan Embry	...	Russell 'Rusty' Griswold
Marisol Nichols	...	Audrey Griswold
Miriam Flynn	...	Cousin Catherine
Shae D'Lyn	...	Cousin Vicki
Wayne Newton	...	Himself
Siegfried Fischbacher	...	Himself (as Siegfried)
Roy Horn	...	Himself (as Roy)
Wallace Shawn	...	Marty
Sid Caesar	...	Mr. Ellis
Julio Oscar Mechoso	...	Limo Driver
Sly Smith	...	Mirage Security Guard
Julia Sweeney	...	Mirage Reception Person

Also Known As:

National Lampoon's Las Vegas Vacation (USA) (working title)
National Lampoon's Vegas Vacation

MPAA:

Rated PG for sensuality, language and thematic elements.

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Canada:PG (Ontario) | Iceland:L | Finland:K-7 (2006) (DVD) | Finland:S (1997) (VHS) | Netherlands:AL | Australia:PG | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Manitoba/Nova Scotia) | Germany:6 | UK:PG | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Baker, Mojave Desert, California, USA

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

Although it was executive produced by 'Matty Simmmons', it was the only "Vacation" movie series (starring Chevy Chase) not to feature 'National Lampoon's' in its title. It would take another six years for the direct to DVD spin-off film "Christmas Vacation 2" to be released and be credited as "National Lampoon's."

Goofs:

Factual errors: When Clark is shooting craps and he gets a 7 on the Come Out Roll, the dealer should have collected all the of the losing bets in the "Come" area of each number but he does not.

Quotes:

Cousin Eddie: That's it Clark... show him who's boss. It's people like you who come here and blow the family nest egg that built this town... not this pretty boy!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie's Island Adventure (2003) (TV)

Soundtrack:

All Along The Watchtower

It's funny, not smart.

I can honestly say that I am one of the few "Vacation" lovers that found "Vegas Vacation" really entertaining.

I've found out that most people dislike this movie because of the writing or perhaps the actors. Here's an insider tip to help you get through this hilarious film: DON'T THINK OF IT AS A MOVIE SET OUT TO MAKE A POINT ABOUT SOMETHING. IT IS MEANT TO MAKE YOU LAUGH, AND THAT'S ABOUT IT. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.

Okay, the accomplished part is from my point of view. I've seen a number of pointless films. Especially in the past year or so. Anyway, this IS a movie with a dumb story line to go off of. I'll admit to that. But I think that it is filled with clever and hysterical situations. Yeah, yeah, that is just my opinion and nobody really cares, but just deal with me here.

Chevy Chase and Beverly DeAngelo reprise their roles as the quirky yet lovable Griswolds. Marisol Nichols gives an alright performance as Audrey. But Ethan Embry is extremely funny as Rusty. Randy Quaid is, as always, hilarious as Cousin Eddie. The whole cast is great.

The problems that each of the Griswold members run into are creative and amusing. Clarke with his inability to stop gambling. Ellen with her semi-obsession with Wayne Newton. Rusty with his wanting to gamble but more importantly, his lucky streak with the four cars that he wins. And Audrey with her dancing career ready to take off. All of them are good.

So, like I've said, this movie was meant to be funny and it was. Some intelligent writing was put into it but not a whole lot. That's fine. I enjoyed it, and I'm probably alone on that one.