Reviewer's Rating 3 out of 5 Μύ
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation DVD (1989)

It seems that we weren't full of Christmas cheer when we reviewed this third movie in the Vacation series as "distinctly desperate". High art this may not be, but who could turn away this tale of family relatives causing yuletide misery for Chevy Chase? Welcome this John Hughes produced comedy into your manger, and lo! There is an audio commentary on this DVD!

Christmas Sparkle

How does the old girl look? Not so bad after all these years. The picture transfer is a little on the soft side and the sound is no more than basic stereo with some light surround effects, but then your guffawing and tear-filled eyes will likely prevent you from witnessing any subtle presentation nuances anyway. Note: this UK release is still cut. It's only one F word but as fans of the first movie will recall, the placement of the rarely used F word in the Vacation films tends to be very funny.

National Lamppon's Christmas Vacation screengrab

Friends Reunited

Not having Chevy Chase along for a group commentary is a bit like serving Christmas dinner without the turkey. As it turns out, the side dishes have a ball anyway. With actors like Randy Quaid, Beverly D'Angelo and Miriam Flynn along for the ride, this is an audio trip down memory lane for all involved, but they do bear the listener in mind. The ladies prove to be highly amusing at times, with Beverly initiating a frank conversation about the presentation of her breasts that you're not likely to forget in a hurry.

EXTRA FEATURES

  • Audio commentary with Randy Quaid, Beverly D'Angelo, Johnny Galecki, Miriam Flynn, director Jeremiah Chechik and producer Matty Simmons
  • Theatrical trailer
  • This DVD was reviewed on a JVC XV-N5 DVD player.

    Technical Information

    REGION SOUND MENUS RATIO
    2 Dolby Digital 2.0 Static and silent 1.85:1 (anamorphic)
    CHAPTERS SUBTITLES AUDIO TRACKS
    29 English English
    CAPTIONS EXTRAS SUBTITLES CERTIFICATE
    English None of the special features come with subtitles PG

    End Credits

    Director: Jeremiah Chechik

    Writer: John Hughes

    Stars: Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Randy Quaid, Miriam Flynn, Diane Ladd, John Randolph, Juliette Lewis

    Genre: Comedy, Family

    Length: 97 minutes

    Cinema: 1989

    DVD: 24 November 2003

    Country: USA