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:

When Clark Griswold puts his mind to something, we soon realize he hasn't got one. Still, nothing stops him when the vacation bug hits...

Plot Keywords:

Vacation | Gambling | Casino | Family Vacation | Hoover Dam

Awards:

1 nomination

US TV Schedule:

Wed. Nov. 18

3:00 AM

TBS

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:

1.33 : 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:

The Keno scene at the end of the film takes place at the MGM Grand Hotel Casino. The family is seen entering through the original "lion's head" entrance, which was present when the casino was first built. This entrance has since been remodeled to look like "regular" doors, with a lion statue on top. The keno section of the casino is no longer there either.

Goofs:

Continuity: Just before Cousin Eddie's first appearance at Clark's 21 table, the dealer deals himself a blackjack. In the next camera shot, he has two face cards (a 20).

Quotes:

Wayne Newton: [to Clark, about Ellen] Very special lady.
Clark Griswold: That's why I entered into the sacred bond of marriage with her.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Yes, Dear: Vegas Vacation (#2.23)" (2002)

Soundtrack:

Come Fly With Me

I'm here to bring you the middle ground

Okay--You've probably seen reviews on here that say, "Vegas is the best Vacation ever!", and then "Vegas is the worst Vacation ever!". Now, that doesn't help a person who hasn't seen the movie for himself yet. Here's the middle ground:

This isn't as good as the first--sequels rarely are. There isn't as much humor potential as in "Christmas Vacation", either. But for god sakes, people, this is MUCH better than the "European Vacation" movie, which has misfire gags left and right (you can check out my review on THAT by clicking on "mdnrules").

Vegas Vacation has as much "Cousin Eddie" humor as in the Christmas Vacation movie which seems to make up for the "diaster" humor Vegas is lacking. This movie seems to have the happiest ending of all of them.

Based on many opinions, here is the order of the Vacations, starting with the best and ending with the worst:

1. a tie between "Vacation" and "Christmas Vacation" 2. Vegas Vacation being a fair third, and 3. European Vacation being a very distant fourth.

Hope this helps, all.