Summer Binge Watch — Vacation Films

We've reached summer, which means the days are long, the heat is ramping up, and there's plenty of time for binge watches. Each week I'll pick a topic and rank some options. It could be a set of films, the work of a single director, or a TV series. It's summer, it's time to broaden some horizons.

This week's binge watch focuses on the "Vacation" films. There are four in all — released from 1983 to 1997 — all starring Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo. Since a new "Vacation" movie, this time featuring Ed Helms as Rusty, will be released in July, it's time to catch up.

Below is my ranking of the films in order of how good I think they are.

1. Christmas Vacation (1989)
About: This is actually the third entry in the franchise, but it's probably the one most people have seen. That's because it's a Christmas movie classic that is constantly in rotation on cable in November and December each year. This is probably the most family-friendly and family oriented of all the "Vacation" movies, and it's arguably the most heart-warming. Chase gives a great performance, you get a solid dollop of Randy Quaid, and the actors cast as Rusty and Audrey (a young Juliette Lewis and Johnny Galecki) do a nice job. (For the uninitiated, the kids are re-cast in every film to varying results.) Since seeing it for the first time a couple years ago, no Christmas season feels complete without at least one viewing of this film. That's one of the highest compliments I can pay a film. This is the best of the "Vacation" films and it's not even close.
Rating: PG-13
Verdict: Four stars out of four.

2. Vegas Vacation (1997)
About: This is the fourth entry in the franchise, and arguably the second-best. I give this a nod over the original "Vacation" for two reasons. First, this is more family-friendly (it's the sole PG rating in the group, though I think it's a little racier than "Christmas Vacation"). Second, Clark (Chase) is more likable. This one has some funny Las Vegas hijinks, some dated but funny references (Siegfried and Roy, Wayne Newton) and some good scene with Randy Quaid. Plus the sequence at the Hoover Dam is pretty hilarious. They do a nice job with the kids here, and there is some fun and funny moments. It's not great, but it's pretty watchable.
Rating: PG
Verdict: Two stars out of four.

3. Vacation (1983)
About: This is a classic comedy, and the film that started it all. Based on the trailer for the update to be released in July, you need to see this film to get some of the references. It doesn't have the family-friendly charm of "Christmas Vacation," but there are some iconic sequences in this film, which was directed by the late, great Harold Ramis based on a script from John Hughes. I downgrade it slightly against "Vegas Vacation" because in this film Clark (Chase) comes off as a bit of a cad. Plus I had a few issues with the ending, though I loved the John Candy cameo. It's close, but this would be my third favorite film in the series.
Rating: R
Verdict: Two stars out of four.

4. European Vacation (1985)
About: Honestly, this is the most forgettable of all the "Vacation" movies. A couple of reasons for this. First, this is probably the most crude of all the "Vacation" films. It features a scene at a burlesque show, plenty of nudity, a sex tape, and a lot of ugly American stereotypes. Second, it's a little plodding. This film had the least interesting story of all the "Vacation" films. Third, this is the only one without Randy Quaid. His character, Cousin Eddie, isn't my favorite, but he adds something to the dynamic of the film, especially in the way he plays against Clark. Him not being there creates a hole in the dynamic. And finally, this movie flames out with the casting of the kids. Jason Lively is fine as Rusty, but Dana Hill is grating as Audrey, who's given a prominent storyline in the film. That performance greatly detracted from my enjoyment of the film.
Rating: R
Verdict: One star out of four.