Lampoon's Vacation Series (1983-1997)

Title: Lampoon's Vacation Series
Year: 1983-1987
Director: John Landis
Country: US
Language: English

The Vacation series is a comedy series starring Chevy Chase, which is based on Director John Hughes short story in National Lampoon Magazine called Vacation 58'.  Each film is about a vacation that goes awry due to the stupidity and poor luck of the patriarch of the Griswold family. They all follow a similar plot formula & all have a similar quality of humor. I'd rate them all the same. 

In Vacation (1993) the Griswold's go to Wally World, but a series of mistakes ensure and the family finds themselves in trouble. 

In European Vacation (1985) the Griswold's win a trip to Europe, but a series of mistakes ensue and the family finds themselves in trouble

In Christmas Vacation (1989) the Griswold's plan "the most  fun-filled old fashioned family Christmas ever!", but a series of mistakes ensue and they find themselves in trouble

In Vegas Vacation (1997) the Griswold's plan a family trip to Vegas, but a series of mistakes ensue and they find themselves in trouble. 

Christmas Vacation is easily the best of the four. It is the highest grossing and highest rated among critics & public audience. It is the most accessible and most relatable. Not everyone has been to Europe or Vegas, but we all have a family that we love- but can't stand in long periods of time. 

Randy Quaid's gross uncle character works most effectively here. His character is less of a cartoon-like redneck and more down to Earth. I actually empathized with him when he said he couldn't afford presents due to financial situation. 

Christmas Vacation works because it takes very familiar situations, such as having dinner with family, and exaggerates the outcome to comedic fashion. The humour lands more often than in Vacation, Vegas & European. It is less reliant on juvenile humour and focuses more on slapstick and pratfalls. 

Chevy Chase is the main reason to watch these films. His great comedic timing and onscreen charisma improve their quality. I loved sticking around to see his over-the-top meltdowns. Overall Christmas Vacation is worth repeat viewings, while Vacation, Vegas  & European are fun first viewings but are fairly forgettable.