Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘National Lampoon’s European Vacation’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

​Comedy sequels have always been and will continue to be a risky gambit. Simply because of how difficult it is to match the sheer awesomeness of the first film, especially if part one happened to be an incredible mega hit.  

Yet comedy sequels are as constant as a sun rise and if by chance the first film leaves us with bruised ribs from laughing for an hour and a half, the second or third entry in the series will follow, and for proof, look no further than the studio’s response to the box office results and reception of National Lampoon’s Vacation. Because its success and genius hilarity motivated the powers that be to immediately reassemble the Griswold family so they could take another wacky vacation in National Lampoon’s European Vacation.

Now in this particular sequel, the Griswolds are enjoying quite the hot streak on the television game show, 'Pig in a Poke'. For week after week their luck seemingly never runs out, including when they face off against the grand champions and win an incredible two-week vacation to Europe. Which means that once more the Griswolds are preparing to hit the road. But while there is excitement over the possibility to enjoying the sights and sounds of a new country, there are concerns that this trip may end in the same strange manner that their adventure to Walley World did, and those concerns are absolutely justified. Because this is the Griswold family after all, and wacky moments always find them the instant they announce they are taking a little time off.

European Vacation is something of an enigma when it comes to this storied film franchise. Simply because, yes, it is funny, I laughed plenty while watching it. Yet when the film is over and the end credits roll, you're left with a hollow feeling, as though something is missing from this film. Fact is, something is. For while John Hughes receives both a 'Story by' and 'Written by' credit, he shares the latter credit with Robert Klane and it is obvious that changes were made to Hughes' script simply because the endearing magic that we found in the first film isn’t present here.

Yet as I said before, the laughs are there, simply because Chevy Chase is a comedic genius but also because the film is an awesome fish out of water story. Since Clark and his family are the quintessential lost Americans in Europe. For they stumble and bumble through a culture that they most certainly do not belong in and well... it's comedic gold. Which makes this movie worth a watch. But do not go in thinking it will be as hilarious or as incredible as its predecessor... that honor was reserved for the next entry in the series.

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