Vegas Vacation

1997

Vegas Vacation

Critics Consensus

The Vacation franchise hits rock-bottom in this corny and tepid trip to sinfully laugh-free city.

13%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 30

51%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 54,597
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Vegas Vacation Photos

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Movie Info

This is the fourth in a series of movies that began with National Lampoon's Vacation in 1983 and feature the family headed by Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) going on wacky vacations. This time, the Griswolds visit Las Vegas. Clark immediately goes to the blackjack table and starts blowing all his money, continually encouraged to spend more and more by a taunting dealer, Marty (Wallace Shawn). Ellen Griswold (Beverly D'Angelo) becomes smitten with the lounge singer Wayne Newton (playing himself), who invites her to sing onstage with him. Their son Rusty (Ethan Embry) is incredibly lucky playing dice, and he is virtually adopted by a family of gangsters who see him as their meal ticket. Daughter Audrey (Marisol Nichols) gets hooked up with her wild cousin Vickie (Shae D'Lyn), who takes her to sleazy dance clubs. White-trash cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid), who lives on a former A-bomb test site in the nearby desert, also gets involved with the capers. ~ Michael Betzold, Rovi
  • Rating:
    PG
  • Genre:
    Comedy
  • Directed By:
    Stephen Kessler
  • Written By:
    Elisa Bell, Bob Ducsay
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    WARNER BROTHERS PICTURES

Cast

Chevy Chase
as Clark Griswold
Beverly D'Angelo
as Ellen Griswold
Randy Quaid
as Cousin Eddie
Ethan Embry
as Rusty Griswold
Marisol Nichols
as Audrey Griswold
Miriam Flynn
as Cousin Catherine
Shae D'Lyn
as Cousin Vickie
Wayne Newton
as Himself
Wallace Shawn
as Marty
Siegried & Roy
as Siegried & Roy
Sid Caesar
as Old Guy
Julio Oscar Mechoso
as Limo Driver
Sly Smith
as Mirage Security Guard
Julia Sweeney
as Mirage Receptionist
Christie Brinkley
as Woman In Ferrari
Jerry Weintraub
as Jilly
Corinna Harney-Jones
as Girl at Blackjack Table
Bud Ekins
Joe Armeno
as Roulette Stickman
Juliette Brewer
as Cousin Ruby Sue
Zach Myers
as Cousin Danny
John Finnegan
as Hoover Dam Guide
Larry Hankin
as Preacher
Siegfried Fischbacher
as Himself
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News & Interviews for Vegas Vacation

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Critic Reviews for Vegas Vacation

All Critics (30) | Top Critics (10) | Fresh (4) | Rotten (26)

View All Critic Reviews (30)

Audience Reviews for Vegas Vacation

  • Jun 30, 2015
    While a slight improvement of "European Vacation," the (technically) fourth film in the "Vacation" franchise is extremely poor, while still managing to keep us liking it's characters, which is a rare feat. If the cast had been replaced, this film would have been a whole lot worse. The shenanigans that the characters get into are usually the best parts of these films, and there is no exception with that here. Aside from that very little praise I can give the film, "Vegas Vacation" is not only one big commercial for Vegas, but it also says that not matter where a family goes, they can always have fun if they are together. It is definitely the most family friendly of the road trip films (Christmas Vacation notwithstanding). There is really not much to say about this film. It is a lazily written romp about a family visiting Las Vegas that could have easily been better. With a few enjoyable moments, it makes it a more morable sequel than European, but it is still not a good movie in any way shape or form. The "Vacation" films have always been up and down, and this is definitely one of their downs.
    KJ P Super Reviewer
  • Feb 16, 2013
    The Griswolds go on one last family trip in the hilarious comedy Vegas Vacation. After receiving a bonus from his company Clark Griswold takes his family to Las Vegas for fun and adventure, but things quickly spiral out of control when Clark becomes addicted to gambling. Despite some cartoonish slapstick humor, most of the comedy works and provides a clever satire of Vegas tourism. Additionally, the casting is rather good and features performances from Wallace Shawn and Wayne Newton. It's a long way down the Holiday Road...and Vegas Vacation provides a fun filled conclusion to the hysterical journeys of the Griswolds.
    Dann M Super Reviewer
  • Nov 23, 2011
    Follow-up to Christmas Vacation isn't as funny as I'd hope it would have been. The film is a decent enough comedy with quite a few laughs; unfortunately, it is not as memorable as Christmas Vacation, which in my opinion is a comedy classic. But despite its imperfections this is a decent comedy film. However it's clear that the producers were running out of ideas. I think it's a great shame because this film could have been memorable. I found the film to be quite funny at times, but it lacked something to really make it special. Like I said, this isn't Christmas Vacation. Most of the jokes are tired, unimpressive and original. It's a great waste of Chevy Chase. As this is the fourth entry in the Vacation series, it's clear that the producers have run out of ideas and are trying to deliver a good film, unfortunately, it's to mixed results. The film is at times funny, and does bring on a few chuckles, but it's pretty minor to previous Vacation films. I think the series should have stopped at Christmas Vacation. What's really a shame here is that the concept of the Griswold family spending a vacation in Vegas is a good idea for a film; unfortunately the result is only a decent comedy with a few laughs here and there. Vegas Vacation will likely disappoint fans of the previous films in the series as it's clear that the screenwriters have run out of ideas. This film could have been memorable, but ends up being only decent.
    Alex r Super Reviewer
  • Aug 07, 2011
    poor sequel and unworthy addition to the vacation series. the series died with this film
    Brendan N Super Reviewer
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