National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation: A Hilarious Holiday Classic or a Comedy That Falls Flat?

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National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, released in 1989, has become a holiday staple for many people around the world. Led by the comedic genius of Chevy Chase, the film follows the misadventures of the Griswold family as they attempt to create the perfect Christmas.  Adapted from a John Hughes short story called "Christmas 59", while beloved by some, the film has its fair share of critics. The story was published in the December issue of National Lampoon magazine in 1959. According to an article not verified by Kev's Reviews, Hughes said, "The studio came to me begging for another one, and I only agreed to it because I had a good story based on it."

Undeniably, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation has its comedic moments. Chevy Chase delivers an iconic performance as Clark Griswold, a well-intentioned but bumbling father figure. Chase's physical comedy and talent for slapstick humor bring some laugh-out-loud moments to the film. The Griswold family's encounters with an over-the-top neighbor, festive lighting mishaps, and the memorable squirrel scene all contribute to the film's comedy.

One of the film's strengths lies in its relatability to families across generations. The portrayal of Clark Griswold's determination to create the perfect Christmas experience resonates with those who have also experienced the pressures and chaos of holiday preparations. The film touches on the realities of family dynamics during the holidays, with all their quirks and imperfections. Many viewers find solace and humor in seeing their own family "dysfunction" mirrored in the Griswold's humorous mishaps.

Despite its moments of comedy and relatability, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation often relies on over-exaggeration for the sake of humor. The slapstick comedy and absurd situations become too excessive, losing touch with reality and stretching the limits of believability. While comedic exaggeration is common in holiday films, there is a fine line between effective comedy and alienating viewers. The film's tendency to push the boundaries of absurdity may be off-putting to those seeking a more grounded and nuanced holiday comedy. Like a Charlie Brown-thrown football, it tends to spiral out of bounds, aimless as Clark staggering around in the attic. 

Another film falalalalalal-lalala folly lack of substantial character development. While Clark Griswold dominates the screen time, other family members are often relegated to two-dimensional roles with limited growth or exploration of their personalities. This can lead to a certain degree of staleness and predictability, as the characters become vessels for delivering comedic lines rather than evolving and engaging with audiences on a deeper level. For those seeking a more well-rounded and emotionally satisfying comedic experience, the lack of character development in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation may be a drawback.

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation undoubtedly has its moments of hilarity and relatability, with Chevy Chase's comedic performance standing out as a highlight. However, the film's overreliance on exaggerated comedy and lack of substantial character development may detract from the overall experience for some viewers. While it continues to hold a special place in the hearts of many as a holiday comedy classic, it is important to recognize its shortcomings. Ultimately, whether National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is deemed a hilarious holiday classic or a comedy that falls flat largely depends on personal taste and preference.