A Hilarious Christmas Catastrophe
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation tells the story of one familys effort to spend the holiday season in the way most people only dream about. Clark Griswolds good intentions that always turn into a disaster of the worst kind and then a twist of bad luck that you have to watch his comedy premise on vacation turn into a heartwarming adventure.
The target audience can appreciate how the movie skillfully builds up the image of the perfect holiday with the audience’s further revelation of the messy familial situation. Concerning shows and ads: typical elements like perseverance, family ties, and cheerful attitudes concerning holidays. They appear comical and humorous but are not without passion and affectionate dramatizations.
There may be no better example than Chevy Chase bringing both the hilarity and the sincerity to the character of Clark Griswold. Beverly D’Angelo as Ellen is equally suitable. Although the cast is impressive it has striking and original personalities; a young Juliette Lewis or Johnny Galecki.
Jeremiah S. Chechik directs the play as a comedy with some poignant scenes of family life and keeps the action moving smoothly and entertainingly while also capturing the idea of festive confusion.
‘’Angelo Badalamenti’s score puts the viewer in the holiday spirit, and the use of traditional Christmas songs raises the audience’s spirits, recalling childlike joy.’’
‘The scenic approach that has been used to capture cinematography justifies the beauty of the festive seasons’ decorations, and the blattering mess that the misadventures portray in a very good and encouraging manner, especially in showing that it paints the Christmas picture traditionally.
The art direction in the movie is pretty brilliant; the set is very colourful and, for lack of a better term, stalactite, which captures the essence of Clark overly flashy holidays.
The using of special effects are well done and accent on tension with humorous aspects, especially in abundant scenes with Clark, who tries to decorate and blow up everything.
It is precise here, rhythmically consistent throughout the comedies whilst providing flow to the film.
Saying that, the fluidity and timing which is inherent perhaps in all good comedies is evident in the film, so one comedic scene blends into the next.
The dialog is relevant and the characters make fairly funny remarks which, at times, can be said in a very dry manner, which is quite in line with the comedy genre of the film.
‘A lot of it relies on cross shooting and general overacting but while there are many funny moments it occasionally goes for jokes in its pants.’ But the overall charm never does waver, nor can it be shaken by multiple viewings simply because fatigue is not an issue here.
The film National Lampoons Christmas Vacation is a very entertaining holiday comedy movie that provides reckless humor and family values. It has managed its confusion with all things humorous and endearing very well and thus has become a staple Christmas movie regardless of the age.
