The next segment on The Daily Roar will be a “versus” feature. Everyday will feature a battle between movies, actors, and actresses. I will be requesting the help of guest writers to help with the process. For today’s Roar I’ll give you the lay out and the criteria. The segment will follow a boxing format and you the reader will be the judge of each “bout.”
Today’s bout features National Lampoon’s Vacation vs. National Lampoon’s European Vacation. Some of you will probably want to go with original others will go with the sequel. In my opinion both are comedic classics. This should be a hard hitting fight.
National Lampoon’s Vacation
Tale of the tape: Released in 1983 and written by John Hughes. This feature was directed by Harold Ramis. Vacation stars Chevy Chase as pop-culture father figure, Clark Griswold. You all know the story. Clark tries to plan the perfect vacation to Walley World only to have setback after setback along their trek cross country.
Jab: The cameos are portrayed with near perfection in this classic. Christy Brinkley is ridiculously sexy and I believe Clark agrees (swimming pool scene). John Candy is priceless has the Walley World security guard.
Combination Punches: Randy Quaid as Cousin Eddie is a demonstration of flawless comedic execution. The rapport between Chase and Quaid still makes me laugh.
Knockout Punch: The death of Aunt Edna and subsequently strapping her to the roof of the station wagon is very memorable. Clark’s arrival at the gates of Walley World only to learn that it is closed features the great spazz scene in movie history. It is hard not to laugh at Clark holding Candy hostage with a pellet gun.
National Lampoon’s European Vacation
Tale of the tape: Released in 1985 and written by John Hughes. This film was directed by Amy Heckerling. Chevy Chase returns as Clark Griswold. The Griswolds win a trip to Europe on the game show Pig in a Poke. The same set of circumstances seem to follow the Griswalds to Europe.
Jab: Eric Idle does a great job as the guy who is constantly getting hurt by Clark’s accidents. “It’s just flesh wound.”
Combination Punches: Rusty and Clark eating dinner in France is tremendously funny. “He’s going to pork her…”
Knockout Punch: The Big Ben Parliament scene is classic. I still quote it every time I get lost or pass the same structure as I’m driving. “Hey Dad, bedpans…”
Well, this is the format and will get more involved as the weeks go on. Please comment and vote for your favorite.
Today’s bout features National Lampoon’s Vacation vs. National Lampoon’s European Vacation. Some of you will probably want to go with original others will go with the sequel. In my opinion both are comedic classics. This should be a hard hitting fight.
National Lampoon’s Vacation
Tale of the tape: Released in 1983 and written by John Hughes. This feature was directed by Harold Ramis. Vacation stars Chevy Chase as pop-culture father figure, Clark Griswold. You all know the story. Clark tries to plan the perfect vacation to Walley World only to have setback after setback along their trek cross country.
Jab: The cameos are portrayed with near perfection in this classic. Christy Brinkley is ridiculously sexy and I believe Clark agrees (swimming pool scene). John Candy is priceless has the Walley World security guard.
Combination Punches: Randy Quaid as Cousin Eddie is a demonstration of flawless comedic execution. The rapport between Chase and Quaid still makes me laugh.
Knockout Punch: The death of Aunt Edna and subsequently strapping her to the roof of the station wagon is very memorable. Clark’s arrival at the gates of Walley World only to learn that it is closed features the great spazz scene in movie history. It is hard not to laugh at Clark holding Candy hostage with a pellet gun.
National Lampoon’s European Vacation
Tale of the tape: Released in 1985 and written by John Hughes. This film was directed by Amy Heckerling. Chevy Chase returns as Clark Griswold. The Griswolds win a trip to Europe on the game show Pig in a Poke. The same set of circumstances seem to follow the Griswalds to Europe.
Jab: Eric Idle does a great job as the guy who is constantly getting hurt by Clark’s accidents. “It’s just flesh wound.”
Combination Punches: Rusty and Clark eating dinner in France is tremendously funny. “He’s going to pork her…”
Knockout Punch: The Big Ben Parliament scene is classic. I still quote it every time I get lost or pass the same structure as I’m driving. “Hey Dad, bedpans…”
Well, this is the format and will get more involved as the weeks go on. Please comment and vote for your favorite.
7 comments:
I have to go with the first one. For me, the overall flow of the film is much more smooth. European Vacation is a little uneven, and some parts kind of drag.
Also, the first one has John Candy, and the line "Fuck yo mama!"
But European has a lot of unintentionally hilarious scenes as well. The second Rusty is the biggest Dork out of all of the films, that in itself can go a long way.
It's no contest that the original is the best...however Christmas Vacation my be it's equal. That'd be a tough match to call.
I'd have to agrree with you. Although European Vaction is pretty damn funny. Vacation epitomizes family vacations the same way Christmas Vacation epitomizes Christmas. Both have great freak-out scenes.
I have to go with the original. The scene in St. Louis was hilarious and Aunt Edna was a riot.
Randy Quaid is pure genius as Eddie. His family was just creepy.
It was one of the best comedies of the 80s and I have to agree with crispy the movie was smooth.
Plus the European movie had that cheesey "try on different clothes scene" every 80s movie had. Now that was unitentionally funny.
The German scenes in Eurpoean vacation do stand out, though, especially the girl in the stand.
Overall I would have to rate the Origianl as the best with Christmas Vacation as second for sentimental reasons.
What about Vegas Vacation? Certainly not the best, but I thought it had it's merits.
Quit smokin'peyote..Vegas Vacation was terrible.
The only "good" parts of Vegas Vacation was the blackjack dealer, Rusty becoming a high roller and the "white trash casino"
I liked Vegas Vacation, if only for the cameo of Sid Cesar playing bingo. Quaid's got some really good lines too. It is definitely the most sight-gaggyist of the four films. Also it's the only Vacation movie not written by John Hughes.
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