I've regard Vacation franchise one the best of all time, which Chevy Chase, Beverly D'angelo and Randy Quaid are the highlights and they'll remembered for eternity, Clark Griswold is a priceless character, snooty and self smart guy, Ellen Griswold is that lady who agree with all Clark's desires who always ends up in embarrassing situations, Cousin Eddie is those churlish and awkward kin whose everyone shall avoid, with this basic elements this outstanding comedy survives so long, on Vegas Vacation the loser Clark lost 22.600 bucks on several gambling mainly at Black Jack against the mocking guy and skillful winner (Wallace Swan) also he has to visit his cousin Eddie who lives in the middle of the desert at radioative area where atomic test was made, Clark tries avoid to take Eddie to Hoover dam without success, there Clark lost of the tourist group, makes the dam leak out on many holes and find himself climbing the dam's wall, prior to flying through a electric wire, what a mess, aside the bad idea to bring the kitsch singer Wayne Newton all remainder is quite funny including his son Rusty with a fake name to able to play at casino and got a close friendship with elder gamblers whose offer to him an expensive lifestyle around of gorgeous women, in the ending he proves be a luck guy!!

Resume:

First watch: 1998 / How many: 3 / Source: Cable TV-DVD / Rating: 7.25

What happens in Vegas ... well does not quite stay there. Multiple puns intended. If you are going on a vacation with the Griswolds, anything can happen. Like Randy Quaid popping in for some unknown reason - apart from the script and probably the audience demanding it. The beloved and hated cousin is back again.

And this time it seems like father Griswold does everything he can to ruin or rather bankrupt the whole familly. Will he succeed? A fair question one might have. The whole thing is quite insane and while you do not have to have seen any other vacation movie you can see that none of the member changes ... well physically/casting wise the son and daughter combo do change. You get new ones playing them in every movie. But mindset wise ... well they stay the same - same goes for Mom and Dad - but they are being played by the same people.

If you did like the other movies, you will have fun with this too - some interesting cameos included (not sure why currently the pics used for Sigfried and Roy are ... anything but good looking ... anyway).

Clark (Chevy Chase) got a bonus at work and he's taking the Griswold gang to Vegas. Clark and Ellen (Beverly D'Angelo) plan to renew their vows. They got new kids (Ethan Embry, Marisol Nichols) and that's the first funny joke. And cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid) shows up in this one too.

Chevy Chase is his usual bumbling self, and that's what so familiar about this movie. Maybe that's why it seems so old and tired. After a good start, Chevy is playing around with old Vegas like Seigfried and Roy, and Wayne Newton. The movie taking place inside the casino feels ancient. Vegas tourism bureau should not be happy about this movie.

Beverly D'Angelo singing is kinda funny, and it's nice to see Christie Brinkley with a funny cameo. Also we get to have some fun with cousin Eddie and his family. But it's not nearly enough. This franchise is past its expiration date.