So getting there is half the fun, eh? Twenty years after its
initial release, the Griswolds still bicker amongst themselves and have
the worst luck while driving 2,000 miles to a California amusement park. In
a special edition DVD commemorating the anniversary of the road trip comedy
classic (which spawned three subsequent sequels), the film is given a digital
transfer, as well as some special and not-so-special features.
Unfortunately, the only thing that makes this package stand out from previous
formats is the feature-length group commentary including director Harold Ramis,
producer Matty Simmons and actors Chevy Chase, Randy Quaid, Anthony Michael
Hall and Dana Barron (Beverly D’Angelo, who is praised throughout the
commentary, is conspicuously absent). Those looking for anything more from the
package, like the original ending that is mentioned several times in the commentary
feature, will be disappointed.
For those that have never seen National Lampoon's Vacation (is that
even possible, with its incessant reruns on cable television?), the film focuses
on a family of four who run into every type of misfortune in driving from Chicago
to California’s WalleyWorld, despite the extreme preparations taken by
the family patriarch, Clark Wilhelm Griswold, Jr. (played by Chase). Lost pieces
of luggage and wallets? Check. Falling asleep while driving on a highway and/or
barreling through a “Road Closed” sign for a 50-foot aerial jump?
Check to both. Visit with the seemingly-inbred cousins? Check again. Robbery?
Being ripped off by a highway repairman? Losing a family member to the Grim
Reaper along the way? Check, check and checkmate.
Through it all, a blonde in a red Ferrari, played by supermodel
Christie Brinkley, pushes Clark towards the end destination. And, when they
finally make it to WalleyWorld, they find it is closed for two weeks. Somehow,
there is still a happy ending here and the film supplies chuckles through its
entire run.
The film boasts stand-out performances from Chase and D’Angelo (who plays
his put-upon wife, Ellen), as well as supporting roles including Quaid, Imogene
Coca, John Candy, Eugene Levy and Eddie Bracken, all from a script by John Hughes.
Director Ramis -- who does not appear, but is heard off-screen at the very end
as a police captain -- does a serviceable job with the film, although he himself
admits that the tone varied throughout the picture.
Those fans hoping for something great from Warner Bros. in honor of the anniversary
are sure to be disappointed in the end. The digital transfer doesn’t add much here to the film and the “Family Truckster” featurette is a mystery to me—what is this feature exactly, other than a throw-away showcasing snippets of sound bites from the film? The introduction by Chase, Quaid and Simmons lasts a scant
42 seconds and basically thanks those for buying the discs. Even the packaging,
in a DVD snap case, feels sub par for an anniversary tribute.
What is worthwhile about the edition is the commentary and the reminiscing
of the cast members and crew, the many “SCTV” connections and the
filming challenges. Overall, though, Warner Bros. turns in a rather pedestrian
effort for the anniversary DVD. With some effort, they could have made a far
better edition available for the general marketplace (aren’t they even
trying to expand the brand with an NBC
telepic featuring Cousin Eddie?). In the end, this is for true fans of the
film and franchise only. Everyone else, walk past the display.
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