lvstan I took my parents to see this opening night which was December 1, 1989. I am glad I did. All 3 of us could relate to the things we feel WE Must Do" at Christmas Time. From getting the tree to decorating the home! WE put huge expectations hoping everything will turn out fine and of course they don't. This was the 3rd "Vacation" film and most likely the most popular. Millions of us could relate the original "Vacation". The family road trip during the Summer. However 99% could relate to something in "Christmas Vacation". In this film it is of course holiday time and Clark wants to have a big old fashioned family Christmas. This means not only is his parents coming for Christmas but so is his in-laws/ Most importantly however Randy Quaid returns as Cousin Eddie. This film is a laugh a minute. If you don't like cussing and are prudish stay away. I have seen this film every year since 1989 and I still laugh as hard as I did when I saw the first time. The only film I think I have seen more is "The Wizard of Oz". If you have big family gatherings then watch this with them. Everyone will have a good time.

Paul Magne Haakonsen "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" is a Christmas classic, and there is no denying it. It is one of those movies that you just have to watch year after year come Christmas time. And the movie never gets old, no matter how many times you have seen it.Following in the tradition of the previous "National Lampoon's Vacation" movies, also starring Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo, the 1989 "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" is every bit as hilarious, enjoyable and entertaining as the previous movies. And if you have seen the previous movies, which I assume you have as they are also classics, then you will immediately love "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" as well.The Griswold family is hosting a big family gathering for the Christmas holidays and have everything planned out, from decorating the house to the grand feast. But of course everything goes awry for Clark and the family, true to the Griswold family streak of bad luck and misfortune.What works out so well for "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" is a combination of things. First of all, the storyline is good and hilarious, with some truly wonderful situations playing out on the screen. But it is also a gallery of some magnificent characters with lots of personalities and quirks, and it is characters that easily can be identified with members of your own family. And it is, of course, also the comedy that is ever-present throughout the entire movie. There are so many laughs throughout the entire movie, and it is fabulous because it is laughs that you enjoy every year as you watch this Christmas classic.Chevy Chase is of course the embodiment of Clark W. Griswold and he carries this role with grace and perfection. And Beverly D'Angelo is right alongside him in her role as Ellen Griswold, his wife. And she not only compliments Chevy Chase, but she also stands her own ground quite well. Furthermore there are great performances by Johnny Galecki, Juliette Lewis, Randy Quaid, Doris Roberts, John Randolph and William Hickey to name but a few of the performers who shine here in this movie."National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" has truly withstood the test of time and stands out as a classic movie to brighten up Christmas year after year.

John Brooks Where the first Vacation was actually funny with original comedic ideas and a humor more natural than forced, this here is just another volume down the conveyor belt of manufactured laugh-material, so not in rhythm, and not original, and plain not funny.If you're not American, chances are you'll look at this and ask yourself why it got so popular, for instance, the 7.5+ rating here on IMDb. The answer is simple: make a Christmas themed comedy utilizing an already established, recognizable crew (from previous films), and make sure you have all the family holiday clichés pop out randomly from everywhere to the point of bursting, and it won't matter how funny or well made the film is, culturally all the ingredients for good fun are there as the people identify strongly to the on screen depictions.4.5/10

Rohan Madtha Admittedly, I haven't seen very many Chevy Chase or even National Lampoon movies for that matter. His particular brand of comedy appeals to a certain generation, and this movie is chock full of it. Relying on mainly slapstick humor and good comedic timing, this movie parodies the textbook family Christmas get-together. In fact, I was not surprised to learn that this movie birthed the term Griswold House--"a house or display that has been decorated with way too many holiday lights, so as to be almost blinding."I will have to watch the other Griswold family movies before having a definite opinion, but from the sound of the other reviewers, this is the best one. I even recognized some familiar faces--Raymond's mother from Everybody Loves Raymond, and one of the nerds from The Big Bang Theory.The movie does have its laugh out loud moments, and has some memorable quotes to boot... but not enough substance to be recommended for anything other than a Christmas Eve family movie option.