'Vacation' goes the distance but leaves the family behind
Vacation is one of those summer movies that just gets caught up in August fatigue. After a summer of explosions and high-octane spectacles, a movie about a family road trip gone awry fails to arouse the audiences sedated by the previous three months of mind-numbing action. Unfortunately, Vacation doesn’t have enough spark or wit to excuse another weekend at the movies. That being said, it is a serviceable reboot with a likable cast that hits a couple of bumps in the road while still delivering enough laughs and hijinks to fit with its predecessors.
The Griswolds seem to have a good answer for to this ironic question. photo: Universal Pictures.
First of all, let’s lower the expectation meter and remember that the Vacation series has been glorified a little too strongly with age. Every film has its moments (except maybe Vegas…yeesh), but they are all based on a pretty simple concept of unfortunate, uncomfortable family bonding with lots of mishaps and detours along the way to challenge the dad-powered optimism/arrogance of Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase). The newest installment picks up with his son Rusty (Ed Helms), now a parent himself, who has failed to inspire any admiration or respect from his family and decides to take a road trip to the mythic Walley World to solve all their issues.
Along the way they come across a range of unusual, mild-mannered Americans, making way for a host of cameos that pay off more than they disappoint. Chris Hemsworth makes quite a memorable impression on both the viewers and his underwear as the local celebrity weatherman Stone Crandall, who is married to Rusty's sister, played with expert comedic nuance by Leslie Mann. Charlie Day steals his scene as a canoeing instructor, but the whole situation exists as a result of a highly unlikely coincidence presented right before the family hits the water. The movie lives and dies by cameos, but the biggest nail in the coffin is Chevy Chase’s reprisal of the endearing Clark. He is given so little screen-time and no material to tackle. He hams it up with a clumsy guitar bit, but it feels forced like Chase knows the clock is ticking for his precious franchise. He wants one last laugh, but just like a trip to one's retired parents' house, it feels more like an obligation.
What differs between the old movies and this revamped trope machine is the comedy within the core of the family. The Griswolds of old were an ordinary and loving family that were relatable to any person who had ever been on a family trip that didn't go smoothly. The family dynamic in this film has been so corrupted and overdriven with cynicism that it's hard to enjoy their back-and-forth. The bickering that should remind audiences of their years spent in the backseat with sibling often devolves to parental bullying and several attempts of fratricide. The youngest son Kevin, played by newcomer Steele Stebbins, is crass and vulgar but in a cartoonish way rather than one that plays on the competitiveness of two brothers. The filmmakers seem to bank a lot on this character and Stebbins delivers everything just fine, but not much of it ultimately lands. I mean who honestly thinks AIDS jokes can be funny? A family comedy, even one pushing the R-rating, needs a cast with some chemistry because after all, they’re supposed to be family.
Smile through the cringe-worthy pain Chevy, there's only ten minutes left. photo: Universal Pictures.
The movie doesn't get it all wrong as there were definitely some fun scenes between the siblings and each member gets their moment to shine, but none of the pure, organic comedy that comes from any typical family vacation is at play here. Everything is outlandish with the worst-case scenario going even a step further. It plays to shock rather than unite. The lesson to take from Vacation and reboots in general is that filmmakers need to remember what made audience’s love the source material. The Griswolds are an all-American family and their experience could have been yours. Unlike the old ones though, you don’t want to get stuck with this family.