User reviews

The final installment to the Griswald family's madcap misadventures, they're just as funny as the other three outrageous film before this one, as Clark, Ellen, Audrey and Rusty are out to stir trouble for themselves and everyone else surrounding them only this time the stakes are higher in the 1997 film "Vegas Vacation." The laughs are gut- bursting, and the hot Nevada desert is the perfect resort to capture just how zany and outrageous the Griswalds can be. Sure it's good to watch one in a blue moon, after seeing the same gags over and over again, it does loses its flavour like a piece of chewing gum and you can easily become bored after a while.

The film is truly a follow-up to "Christmas Vacation" as Clark finally got his big bonus from his marketing business after his newly invented cereal bars are a success and decides to use his money to his advantage and brings his wife and kids with him where they'll go on a frenzy gambling and living the life on Easy Street. During their stay, the Griswalds venture on their own to see what fortune comes their way. Such scenes involves legendary crooner Wayne Newton trying to get it on with Ellen (Beverly D'Angelo). Clark and the kids have their moments as well.

Sure the Griswald family follow the same path as the other three installments, but that's because of their inept ways of life, they have managed to make us laugh. We all come to see them struggle, fail and try to move up only to still remain left behind, but we love them for that and that is what keeps their fans from coming into theatres for. We were all shocked to see Clark as he dangles off Hoover Dam and crashing through Wayne Newton's house with the van.

The movie is very rich because the film is unpredictable. You think that they slowed the tempo down in "Christmas Vacation", but think again, the falls, the slapstick humour is still effective as we await for every gag to takes its shape and every way for the Griswalds to bend it. The laughs continue and never gets bored the first time seeing it at least, but after multiple viewing it loses its flavour like chewing gum.

Clark and the gang had their moments of laugh-till-your-stomach- bursts moments, however, the funniest scenes will involve the funniest supporting player to the Griswold clan. I'm talking about Randy Quaid's Cousin Eddie. From the first and third installments (he wasn't in "European Vacation"), he was always a dynamic character and the reason why is that even though he's dumber than rocks, his heart is in the right place and looks out for Clark even in the the most dire situations. But his redneck ways and caring charm puts a light touch to someone's heart.

This film isn't without its weaknesses. For one thing if you seen the other three Griswald adventures you seen them all. The madcap over- the-top slapstick humour has been done many times before and many times better. Even the dialogue and the facial expressions have all been executed in the very same pattern. But hey, what do I expect this film was going to be, a life-changing drama? Hell, no this is "National Lampoon" baby, so the film should be about overdosing in slapstick comedy so why spoil a good thing.

Another fault is why was Wayne Newton playing a pivotal part in the film. Sure he's a respective singer and I would have been okay if he played a cameo role in the film. But as a supporting character, he was just plain awful. He was just playing himself, a sleazy Vegas singer who had the hots for Ellen.

Usually in the other three films I laughed with the family, but in "Vegas Vacation", I couldn't help but feel sorry for them, especially from the kids (who looked too old to play the parts of Audrey and Rusty). The lack of chemistry is missing in this film because the kids and the parents seem to go their own separate ways. I thought it angered me that Clark kept forgetting his daughter's name most of the time (making her feel like the black sheep of the family a la Meg Griffin from "Family Guy"). I also felt that there was a lot of parental negligence as the kids Audrey and Rusty found themselves in dangerous predicaments. It was also very angering that Clark spent over $23,000 of his bonus money on gambling when he should have done as he promised in "Christmas Vacation" was to install a swimming pool. It made me think where's social services when you need them feeling I got. Surely a family could not have been this dysfunctional. But though it all it still succeeds in providing you with non-stop gags and having you laughing the whole way through.

Overall this movie is by far a terrible movie. The laughs are plentiful and you'll surely have a good time and Randy Quaid was wonderful as Cousin Eddie. I would recommend it as a comedy and really nothing more than that.

The fourth installment in National Lampoon's Vacation film series, 'Vegas Vacation' is silly, but so funny too! Its pure slapstick humor, that is enjoyable for anyone who's familiar with the Vacation movies & the crazy Griswold family.

'Vegas Vacation' Synopsis: In the fourth outing for the vacation franchise, the Griswolds have to survive Vegas fever when they go to Las Vegas for a fun family vacation.

'Vegas Vacation' doesn't get every joke or gag right, but at most parts, you laugh at the silliness. Its purely an entertaining comedy, that has been made only to make you laugh. And to a large extend, the makers have succeeded!

Elisa Bell's Screenplay is spirited, although not everything works, particularly that one segment featuring a lecherous Vegas singing star who goes head over heels for Mrs Griswold. Stephen Kessler's Direction is pretty decent. Cinematography & Editing are alright.

Performance-Wise: Chevy Chase is in terrific form. He nails the part of the wacky leader of a dysfunctional family & brings the house down on numerous occasions. Beverly D'Angelo has also done very well. Randy Quaid is first-rate. Marisol Nichols is passable. Ethan Embry doesn't really impress. Wayne Newton is wasted.

On the whole, 'Vegas Vacation' has some genuine laugh-out-loud moments. So for that alone, I'd suggest you check this one out.

"Vegas Vacation" makes no pretenses to be a good, hearty, intelligent piece of cinema: it features many critical, inexcusable flaws, such as: trafficking in mindless frivolity, some occasionally cheesy dialogue, and even wavers constantly from scene to scene without any means of resolution or connection. Yet, if you can ignore its many irksome qualities, the latest outing with the Griswalds is simply an outrageous, hilarious, and pleasurable romp of a movie. If you laugh at something senseless and absurd, such as Cousing Eddie babbling on about his worthless, pathetic existence, or Clark Griswald finding himself at the edge of the Hoover Dam, or even a busload of tourists crashing into the estate of "Mr. Las Vegas", Wayne Newton, so what? Where logic and reasoning are scarce behind the odds of the scenarios the Griswalds encounter, laughs are aplenty to make this one gleeful, jovial outing full of some really effective comedy. The idea of the dysfunctional Griswalds venturing to Vegas for yet another "family vacation" and finding themselves experiencing the whims of the city of entertainment in their own individual ways, with Clark being a hapless, compulsive gambler, Ellen having somewhat of an affair with Wayne Newton, Rusty hitting it rich at the casinos and masquerading as a "playboy", and Audrey aspiring to be an exotic dancer, how hilarious can it get? Couple this with the outrageous imbecilic likes of Cousin Eddie continuing to plague Clark's existence, and "Vegas Vacation" succeeds in delivering a royal flush of laughs. If it's silly and inane, if scenarios are too illogical for words, and if not everything really comes together by the end, at least you have plenty of funny material to laugh away at, and that makes for a jolly good outing, when you find yourself laughing consistently throughout the film, which warrants a solid recommendation for "Vegas Vacation". Hilarious! *** out of ****

What happens in Vegas ... well does not quite stay there. Multiple puns intended. If you are going on a vacation with the Griswolds, anything can happen. Like Randy Quaid popping in for some unknown reason - apart from the script and probably the audience demanding it. The beloved and hated cousin is back again.

And this time it seems like father Griswold does everything he can to ruin or rather bankrupt the whole familly. Will he succeed? A fair question one might have. The whole thing is quite insane and while you do not have to have seen any other vacation movie you can see that none of the member changes ... well physically/casting wise the son and daughter combo do change. You get new ones playing them in every movie. But mindset wise ... well they stay the same - same goes for Mom and Dad - but they are being played by the same people.

If you did like the other movies, you will have fun with this too - some interesting cameos included (not sure why currently the pics used for Sigfried and Roy are ... anything but good looking ... anyway).

Well, Clark Griswold has so far botched a road trip, a European vacation and (most memorably) a Christmas vacation; so why does he continue to make his family go through hell on his endless quest for a fun vacation? That's easy; it's pretty enjoyable for us to watch :)

"Vegas Vacation" sits comfortably as the third most enjoyable film in the series; surpassing "European Vacation" but not as enjoyable as "Vacation" or "Christmas Vacation". It's pretty far reaching at times but there are solid moments here; such as Clark damn near destroying a damn and getting crazy (as only Clark Griswold can) playing cards and losing everything.

The Wayne Newton gag soon grows tiresome and everything concerning Audrey and Russ pretty much stinks but Randy Quaid delivers once again as obnoxious Cousin Eddie and Chase hasn't lost his touch as the world's most annoying (yet somehow oddly endearing) family dad.

Mayhem ensues when the Griswolds go to Las Vegas in this fourth film in the 'Vacation' franchise. Chevy Chase is solid as always and Wallace Shawn has a fun extended cameo this time round as a condescending croupier, but with minimal road trip elements here, the dynamic is not quite as juicy as the first or even second film. The plot basically consists of each member of the Griswold clan having their own individual Vegas experiences, and while there is quite a bit of oddball humour in how Rusty makes it as a gambling king, there is not a lot of interest in Audrey becoming a Vegas dancer, Ellen being seduced by Wayne Netwon or Clark's gambling debt woes (Shawn's role in the matter aside). The recasting of the kids (yet again) also works against the film; while Marisol Nichols and Ethan Embry are both older than the characters they are playing, they don't look it, while Chase - with grey hair now - looks older than ever. Randy Quaid also has far too much screen time for his own good as the abrasive cousin Eddie and it is hard to know what to make of a scene in which Quaid and Chase visit an outskirts casino with "what number am I thinking of" gambling games. The solution to Chase's gambling woes comes a little too easily too. There are, however, enough scattered good moments here to make the film possibly worth a look. The return of the blonde in a convertible (from the first film) is a nice touch, some dam wordplay surprisingly works well, a sun-roof incident is quite funny and what a way the film depicts to obtain a fake ID!

Following his perfection of a preservative that keeps perishable food fresh for years, Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) is awarded a cash bonus he uses to take his family to Las Vegas, Nevada. As Clark gets sucked into gambling whilst dealing with his irritating Cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid), Clark's wife Ellen (Beverly D'Angelo) finds herself approached by Wayne Newton (Himself) who is smitten with her, Audrey (Marisol Nichols) goes into the clubbing scene, and Rusty (Ethan Embry) becomes talented gambler with the help of a fake ID.

Vegas Vacation is the fourth film in the National Lampoon's Vacation franchise which scored two classics with 1983's Vacation and 1989's Christmas Vacation, and one middling entry with European Vacation in 1985. Vegas Vacation came at a time when Chevy Chase's career was in a slump as the 90s saw Chase's career stumble with misfires like Nothing but Trouble, Memoirs of an Invisible Man, and Cops & Robbersons, so it's understandable why Chase would be drawn to another trip to the Vacation well. John Hughes did not return and was not aware of the movie's existence until he read about it in industry trades as Hughes had become burnt out on the series which he had felt were increasingly geared as "Chevy Chase vehicles". Vegas Vacation is mostly coasting on the goodwill of its name and cast at this point because it's pretty passionless exercise.

The best vacation movies were written under John Hughes and adapted from short stories he had written for National Lampoon. With both Vacation and Christmas Vacation, while they are goofy over the top comedies, they have a grounding in reality that makes them relatable because they're both tied to real life experiences most people with families have. With Vacation it derives humor from the various mishaps that befall families on road trips with unscheduled detours, obnoxious passengers, or expensive time consuming tourist traps that ring true for those who have experienced them. With Christmas Vacation it gave us the chaos of having multiple extended family members living under one roof for the better part of a month, complicated dinners that don't pan out well, or the excess of Christmas decorating. But aside from the humorous bits we remember, they also had moments of genuine heart and character such as Clark and Rusty's father/son talks in Vacation or Clark reminiscing about past Christmas' either watching home movies or talking with his own father. Both European Vacation and Vegas Vacation have the same problem: they're detached from that grounded family dynamic and instead become sitcom fantasies.

With Vegas Vacation, it doesn't feel like a typical family experience and feels more like a bunch of exaggerated types pratting about a promotional/commercial fantasy of what people think Las Vegas actually is as brought to you by the Las Vegas board of tourism. Moments like Clark getting involved in a Sigfried & Roy show or Ellen finding herself fending off the attraction of Wayne Newton feel pretty contrived and only serve to reinforce this Vegas fantasy that movie is in love with. The Clark Griswold character has been dialed up to a borderline braindead caricature of himself and has lost most of what made him relatable or endearing to the audience. Rusty's subplot where he effortlessly becomes a high roller has some mildly amusing moments, but Audrey's plot is pretty much dead space. But by far the biggest weight on this movie is the return of Randy Quaid as Cousin Eddie whose role is GREATLY expanded here and that's not a good thing. The reason why Cousin Eddie is even in the movie is really contrived and clearly producers thought the thing that kept European Vacation from being good was no Cousin Eddie and not the other problems with that movie. Cousin Eddie only works in either small doses or when he's part of a large ensemble (like in Christmas Vacation), when you put an abrasive character like Eddie Front and center for much of the runtime you wear down their appeal and only serve to make the audience more annoyed than the characters.

Vegas Vacation takes the franchise and runs it into the ground. While there's a few mildly amusing moments littered throughout the film, it's a rather tepid and uninspired entry in this series that doesn't tap into the high points of the series with only the legacy and charisma of its cast keeping it afloat from the aggressive mediocrity.

In the fourth vacation film, we see the Griswolds visiting Las Vegas. This is definitely a better installment than European Vacation, more laughter and more family friendly. The fact that Wayne Newton plays himself in a bit role designed to mock himself is hilarious. And of course Randy Quaid returns as Cousin Eddie in his best vacation role yet.

The sub story about Rusty getting a fake ID and then gambling is the best part of the whole film. The film did receive a PG rating, which was the lowest MPAA rated film in the series. Sid Caesar makes his final big screen performance as the old man at the Keno game. The film is full of a small roles filled by well known actors like Wallace Shawn and Julia Sweeney.

Not sure why National Lampoon didn't attach their name to the film, it's a great installment.

A few funny moments but mostly tries too hard to replicate its predecessors comedic moments. Kids are ever changing but the important main cast are the same.

I've read many comments about the Vacation movies. Most people give the original "Vacation" high marks, but trash the others. I think a lot of people just like to be pick on Chevy Chase. "Vacation" is the best, but I liked the sequels and "Vegas Vacation" is my favorite of them. My kids just love to watch "Vegas Vacation". You can't pop in the DVD expecting to watch a movie that will be thought provoking or life altering. It was made to make people laugh and it accomplishes that very well. Chevy Chase and cast are very funny in this movie. The Wayne Newton bit was great. I love going to Vegas, and I love this movie. When my wife and I fly to Vegas, we always kid about going to the bathroom to join "the club" like Clark and Ellen. Numerous other things remind us of the movie when we are in Vegas, and it has made those trips even more enjoyable. Just wish Chevy would do another "Vacation" movie.

This is the weakest of the Chevy Chase movies in the "National Lampoon's Vacaction" movies. That being said, don't get me wrong here, because it is not a bad movie. It was just lacking that unique comedy touch and outrageous absurdity that was found in the previous movies.

The story in "Vegas Vacation" is about the Griswold's trip to sparkling Las Vegas, and nothing goes according to plans. And soon things are spiraling out of control and Las Vegas is turned upside down.

Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo carried this movie with their spot on portrayals of the beloved Clark and Ellen Griswold characters. The children are naturally growing up, but it was a bit strange as they had new performers in those roles. Randy Quaid also did a great job in revisiting the lovely cousin Eddie character.

The comedy in "Vegas Vacation" was straight to the point and there was the trademark awkward situations, but it was not fully up to the level set in the previous movies. Still a funny movie though, and definitely worth watching.

Vegas Vacation is apparently the first film of this 'Vacation' series with no input from John Hughes, who most likely would have been able to clean it up a bit, maybe emphasize the satirical aspects only hinted at in the final product. A film more directly spoofing the empty allure of Las Vegas and the mentality of the people who go there would have been gold, but alas, the scriptwriters seemingly didn't think of that.

There are some funny scenes throughout...notably the 'special casino' sequence and the disgusting buffet. Wallace Shawn, an always-welcome presence, has a small role as a blackjack dealer but I wish he could have done more. (The dam tour is also pretty funny until it morphs into Chevy Chase scaling the Hoover Dam for literally no reason). Unfortunately many of the humorous scenes fall flat due again to the scriptwriter's inability to set up gags and punchlines properly.

Take the magic show scene, for example. Chevy Chase volunteers to be an assistant in the show, the magicians put him in a box, he disappears, and then reappears once it's done. There's...nothing necessarily funny about this. A 'Mr Bean' style sequence of Chase bumbling about and inadvertently exposing the magicians' tricks would have worked much better.

Side Note: The Wayne Newton stuff is amusing but I find it too implausible that the cousin-in-law character (a crude redneck who teaches his daughter to be a pole dancer) would be such a huge admirer of him. Maybe celebrities playing themselves always demand that the script include fans. I feel like I've seen this trend in other things as well.

I saw this movie when it was first released in the theatres, and thought it was one of the worst films ever made. Since then, whenever this movie comes on TV, I cannot turn it off. What was once like watching a car wreck has become an enjoyable viewing experience that is a very funny experience. Still can't figure out how the daughter grew up Latina but Marisol Nichols is so cute, who cares? Sinatra imitator very funny, as is the seemingly five minutes of silence they hold on the Quaid/Newton bit. Also funny, the server in the buffet "oh you're right, this is chicken WANT SOME!" and Chevy Chase butt-ugly costume.

Another fun adventure, the tour of Hoover dam chevy wanders off, that's what I wanted to do when I went on that tour, wonder off and see other parts of the dam. some pretty crazy stunts make this movie make it fun to watch. Love that dress that his wife is wearing at the end can't blame wayne neuton for chasing after her, Many of my favorite movies are from the 80's and this one seems like an 80's film it's wholesome entertainment for the whole family.

The Vacation series came back with a great film that only the Griswolds would make happen in Vegas. The reason why It didn't get a 8. 9, or 10 because I can't picture the Griswolds going to Vegas by plane. They should drive instead. "Gettin' there is half the fun." This and Christmas Vacation really overcame the terrible European visit of the Griswolds. But then making a wise decision to stay home for their Christmas. It's also fun to see Chevy Chase get old and chubby over the years

Good movie...

5th Vacation? Go for it, Let's see what National Lampoons can make.

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.

Fourth and most recent in the Vacation series, Vegas Vacation is eight years after Christmas Vacation. Clark W. Griswold (Chevy Chase) got a big bonus for his long-life food preserver and decides to take his family, which includes his wife Ellen (Beverly D'Angelo, still looking hot after all these years), son Rusty (Ethan Embry), and daughter Audrey (Marisol Nichols), to fantastic Las Vegas! As one may think from a screwball movie, everything doesn't go as planned. In fact, it seems like this Vacation has the most mishaps out of any of them (maybe because it's situated in one place?).

Clark develops a serious gambling problem, spending every last penny at the games, mainly at a blackjack table dealt by Marty (Wallace Shawn) who seems to connive to win the game. Wayne Newton, the popular entertainer, falls in love with Ellen (and she's a big fan of his). Rusty becomes an underage gambler and wins big. And Audrey becomes involved with the ways of her whorish cousin Vicki (Shae D'Lyn).

But that's not all! Clark's (or Ellen's) cousins Eddie (Randy Quaid) and Catherine (Miriam Flynn) now live by Vegas, and no family member is going to not say hi. Actually, they get involved in all sort of crazy plots, most which don't seem plausible yet still crack me up.

The outlandish scenarios seem to be what cause laughs. Who can't chuckle as Clark gets lost in Hoover Dam? I doubt anyone can keep a smile in when Clark and Eddie go to that `specialty' casino. All of them are quite hilarious, but still don't provide the caliber laughs that seem to come from the first Vacation. This has a fine cast, which also includes Sid Caesar, Julia Sweeny, Siegfried and Roy with `guest appearances'.

Chase still seems to come out as Clark, taking all of the past jokes (forgetting about Audrey, yelling to Rusty when he's right there) and reusing them. They also get in a `good talk, son', even though that's not really as funny. The kids aren't the same throughout the four Vacations, even though Clark and Ellen stay the same. As said in the movie, `And you kids are growing up so fast, I hardly recognize you anymore!' I think I saw this one before any of the other three, so these images of the kids stay in my mind.

Again, Quaid is down-and-out hilarious as the hick cousin. Wearing snorkels into a casino, asking a guy behind a buffet counter that he'd like `some of the yellow', and asking tour guides where he can get bait, Quaid has great comedic timing and seems to really enjoy doing these types of movies. Flynn underplays her role (and so does the script), and she should be better known. I really liked Sweeny in her role, albeit a small one. Caesar is great, too.

Vegas Vacation is second best in the four movies (next to Vacation), and is should be seen by all, or at least most.

My rating: 7/10

Rated PG for sensuality, language and thematic elements.

This Film was HILARIOUS! I'm sorry, but I thought it was great. Although Christmas Vacation remains my favorite of the series, this one wasn't bad. it certainly wsn't the worst, that honer goes to the European installment in my opinion, but rusty getting the fake I.D. and winning the four cars is great, and who can forget the third rate casino with War and "rock siccers paper"

I like Chevy Chase. I understand he's impossible to work with but I don't care. He makes me laugh like few can. His style of comedy isn't even really to my taste, however he does it in such a way that you can't help but laugh. I really enjoy the 'Vacation' movies (with the exception of 'European Vacation' which just didn't work for me). 'Vegas Vacation' was the last one I had to watch, which is strange because I'm a big fan of Vegas.

In fact I'm heading there in a couple of months which is the main reason I decided to get around to watching this one. I thought the film did a good job of portraying Vegas in all its glory. We get to see a lot of the strip, many different casinos and resorts and even lengthy portions of some shows.

The film has the usual amount of laughs you get in these movies. You're often chuckling but rarely finding anything hysterical. I thought the concept of Clark developing a gambling problem was very clever.

I enjoyed this one. It has more than enough charm to keep it afloat and if nothing else Vegas is a great city to look at and enjoy the views. 7/10.

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.

`Vegas Vacation' - 1997 - 3.5/5 stars

In 1989, audiences were introduced to `Christmas Vacation,' which turned out to be more than a pleasant surprise. Then, in 1997, almost a decade later, another `Vacation' film churned out. The fourth in the series.

`Vegas Vacation.'

Clark Griswold has finally gotten his break. His food preservatives have been approved, and he has gotten a bonus. Now, what to do with the money? He has an idea. Take the wife and kids to.(big surprise) Vegas! But soon after the ordeal of arriving in Vegas is over, Clark finds himself wasting away his money gambling; especially playing craps! Now, with the help of Uncle> Eddie, he must regain his money, and regain his wife from the grasp of Wayne Newton!

Chevy Chase returns to the role of Clark Griswold, he gets these crazy notions and perfect ideas built up in his head, and as we have learned in the other films, they always disintegrate one at a time until he blows his top.

Beverly D'Angelo returns to the character of Ellen Griswold, she pulls off the housewife/mother role quite believably; she is not nearly as bad as anyone would expect. Many people say she was in the first movie just to flash the screen a few times, but that's just from the mouths of people who dislike the movies; I think her role is important, and D'Angelo carries it well. The only other person I can think of that fits the Ellen character is Goldie Hawn, but that's probably because she acts a bit like D'Angelo so it is easier to imagine her as Ellen.

The kids in this `Vacation' film are (finally!) older; Rusty is on the verge of manhood, and Audrey has matured as well. The things they get themselves into during the film are quite funny. Audrey becomes a Vegas dancer, and Rusty becomes a rich tycoon with the help from some `friends.' We splice back and forth to their predicaments during the film.

One hilarious segment includes a bit where the Griswold family visits Uncle Eddie (a returning Randy Quaid) out in the middle of nowhere; he says that he got his land for free from the government because it used to be a nuclear test site (`I got tomatoes growing this big!'). Uncle Eddie is more disgusting than ever; he lives in a small trailer with about forty-something kids, all of which have strange deformations.

In `Vegas Vacation,' Randy Quaid has the longest screen time that Eddie's ever had before, and I think this is a good thing. Perhaps some people thought it went a bit over the top with Eddie, but I say, `The more Eddie, the better!'

Wallace Shawn makes a rather long cameo as the craps dealer; Clark has a vengeance built up against Shawn's character. He MUST beat him. However, Clark always loses and that is how he loses all his money.

Wayne Newton takes a rather big role as well. He pretends to be in love with Ellen Griswold (`It's a lock of my hair.') in the film; he tries to steal her from Clark, who forgets to pay attention to his wife while he blows his money away like it's just paper and nothing more.

John Hughes, writer of `Vacation' and `Christmas Vacation,' did NOT return to the keyboard for this one; someone else wrote it. I think, however, that the writer of `Vegas Vacation' wrote the script well; the jokes are plentiful and enjoyable. It's nowhere near as bad as some comedy sequels get (i.e. `Police Academy' sequels).

Many people really hated `Vegas Vacation,' saying that is was just not funny. But no one can tell me they didn't laugh - or even chuckle - at this film. I understand that it is not as good as the first film, but to tell you the truth, I used to have a hard time choosing a favorite - the three films (`Vegas,' `Christmas,' and the original - NOT counting the `European' sequel) are so different and funny that it really is hard to choose. However, `Vegas' is more familiar to the first film than the sequel(s), and it's a bit easier to compare. When I look closely at them, I decide (a) the first film was a first, and no one had ever experienced Clark Griswold before; (b) the jokes are a bit better and (c) the cast was a bit younger back then and could go for more physical gags. In the new film, Clark swings over the Hoover Dam, and it looks like Chevy really strained himself doing some of the physical stuff (even if it means dangling over a green screen).

All in all, I feel that `Vegas Vacation' is a very underrated comedy. I really, really enjoyed it, and had a fun time watching it. It's always nice to take another visit to the Griswold family, and I'm up for another sequel (perhaps John Hughes should write the next one?).

3.5/5 stars -