Too many jokes fall flat and a number of promising set-ups ... wind up going nowhere.
Johnson Family Vacation (2004)
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Reviews Counted:89
Fresh:5
Rotten:84
Average Rating:3.3/10
Consensus: The poorly crafted Johnson Family Vacation squanders its talented cast in a bland family road comedy that draws unfavorable comparisons to Chevy Chase's Vacation movies.
Rated: PG-13 [See Full Rating] for some sexual references, crude humor and brief drug material
Runtime: 1 hr 36 mins
Genre: Comedies
Theatrical Release:Apr 7, 2004 Wide
Box Office: $31,038,582
Synopsis: AAA can't help the roadside emergency that is the JOHNSON FAMILY VACATION. Even the onboard navigation system has a meltdown on Nate Johnson (Cedric The Entertainer) and his family's cross-country... AAA can't help the roadside emergency that is the JOHNSON FAMILY VACATION. Even the onboard navigation system has a meltdown on Nate Johnson (Cedric The Entertainer) and his family's cross-country trek to their annual family reunion/grudge match. Reluctantly along for the ride are Nate's wife (Williams), who’s only in it for the kids; their rapper-wannabe son (Bow Wow); their teenage daughter (Solange Knowles) who’s fashioned herself as the next Lolita; and their youngest (Gabby Soleil), whose imaginary dog Nate just can’t seem to keep track of. Can the Johnsons survive each other and all the obstacles the road throws at them to make it to Caruthersville, Missouri? Can they find Missouri? The film boasts an ensemble cast that includes Cedric The Entertainer (BARBERSHOP), Vanessa L. Williams (SHAFT), Bow Wow (LIKE MIKE), Solange Knowles in her feature film debut, the multiple award-winning Steve Harvey ("The Steve Harvey Show") and Gabby Soleil ("The Hughleys"). JOHNSON FAMILY VACATION marks the feature film directorial debut for music video and commercial director Christopher Erskin who has helmed vids for a wide range of artists including TLC, Missy Elliot and Boyz II Men and created national ads for brands such as Pontiac and Foot Locker. It is also a first for screenwriter siblings Todd R. Jones ("C-Bear and Jamal") and Earl Richey Jones ("The Hughleys"). The film is produced by Paul Hall (HIGHER LEARNING, WHY DO FOOLS FALL IN LOVE?, Exec. Producer SHAFT); Eric C. Rhone and Cedric The Entertainer, who previously co-produced "Cedric The Entertainer: Starting Lineup" and "Cedric The Entertainer Presents..."; and Wendy Park of Hallway Pictures. -- © Fox Searchlight [More]
Starring: Cedric the Entertainer, Vanessa Williams, Solange Knowles, Shannon Elizabeth
Starring: Cedric the Entertainer, Vanessa Williams, Solange Knowles, Shannon Elizabeth, Steve Harvey
Director: Christopher Erskin
Director: Christopher Erskin
Screenwriter: Todd R. Jones, Earl Richey Jones
Producer: Paul Hall, Eric C. Rhone, Wendy Park, Cedric the Entertainer
Studio: Fox Searchlight Pictures
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Reviews for Johnson Family Vacation
Tired and glib, it tries to milk humor from the sniping, sass and simple disrespect of its unpleasant traveling companions.
As arduous to watch as your neighbor’s poorly focused vacation slides.
I'd like to believe I could watch Cedric the Entertainer all day long. The tedious comedy Johnson Family Vacation puts a strain on that theory.
Cedric does have a gift for rip-roaring line delivery no matter how insipid or embarrassing the dialogue...But there's just no way around the picture's sorry script.
The few funny bits confirm an old adage: See the trailer, skip the movie.
If you've seen the Griswolds go off on any of those National Lampoon holidays, you've sort of already experienced Johnson Family Vacation.
Cedric pops up in a second role, as lecherous Uncle Earl, and a little of this character goes a long way -- say, roughly the distance from Anaheim to Albany.
Eighties nostalgia has seeped so far into our pop-cultural landscape, it's starting to feel like VH1 took over the movie studios.
As headliner Cedric the Entertainer demonstrates in this mediocre road-trip flick, no amount of comedic genius can pump up this flat comedy.
For the most part, the road scenes drag on too long and get the movie sidetracked en route to the movie's modest 'family always comes first' message.
We can only generously call it a pale imitation of National Lampoon's Vacation
None of the stars in this dopey rip-off of the Chevy Chase series deserves to be in this.
continually plays it safe and goofy, and doesn’t allow anyone to let loose
It may seem like the Johnson family has everything they need for a Vacation rip-off, but the one thing they forgot to pack were the punch-lines.
The jokes tend to be as broad as they are familiar, and the movie feels too much like a retread of the National Lampoon Vacation movies.
Latest News for Johnson Family Vacation
January 04, 2006:
Trailer Bulletin: RV
For those who can't get enough of the schtick doled out in movies like "National Lampoon's Vacation" and "Johnson Family Vacation," get ready for the Barry... More...
December 20, 2005:
Another One of Those Darn Family Vacations...
We've been waiting patiently and now, finally, comes news from The Hollywood Reporter regarding a sequel that will rock the whole universe. Yes, it's time for "Johnson... More...
November 17, 2005:
Oh It's Already Been Broughten (Part 3)
A fresh press release from Universal informs us that there will soon be a "Bring It On 3" to enjoy, but also reminds us that, hey yeah, there WAS a direct-to-video... More...
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