VACATION (B)

With nothing sacred these days, it should come as no surprise that a sequel/remake of the 1983 National Lampoon classic is being released this week.  Perhaps, like me, you shook your head… This is another flick (like last week’s Pixels) that’s getting trashed by critics – and this is yet another time where most of the critics have it all wrong.  Vacation is a goofily good-natured and foul-mouthed family adventure that never surpasses the 1983 original, but still has a crass-laden blast all its own…  It’s a fast-paced, crude, over-the-top, ridiculous series of cross-country pitfalls, pratfalls and pitstops that delivers tremendous laughter from start to finish.  Granted, you may not feel great for laughing at some of this stuff – but laugh you will.  We could all use a little low-hanging laughter with heart every now and then.  This movie delivers just that – and to all the critics who hated Vacation – you’re trippin’.

Starring: Ed Helms, Christina Applegate, Skyler Gisondo, Steele Stebbins, Leslie Mann and Chris Hemsworth
Rated: R
Running time: 1hr. 39min.
Story: Following in his father’s footsteps and hoping for some much-needed family bonding, a grown-up Rusty Griswold surprises his wife and their two sons with a cross-country trip back to America’s “favorite family fun park,” Walley World.

Official site: www.vacationthemovie.com