National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989) First Time Watching! Movie Reaction & Commentary

[@CasualNerdReactions]

What are your thoughts on this Christmas Classic? I definitely found it hilarious and consistently better than my expectations! So glad I watched this to kick off the Christmas season.

[@davidmenke7552]

Loved it when I saw it as a kid! BUT as I have gotten older I somehow wonder why it was such a HUGE comedy classic. Like, its for sure a good movie, but its not off the wall hilarious like so many people seem to think it is! Just my perspective on it. The first film was pure gold!!! Glad you watched it regardless

[@pravusprime]

As I have gotten older, some of it isn't as funny as it was when I was a kid, and it's not my favorite among the National Lampoon franchise, but it is still an entertaining movie. Glad you're doing Die Hard.

[@arisucheddar3097]

(Yes I'm obviously working my way through your reactions) I think this one just hits hard for some of us who grew up with this sort of shared mega-Christmas trauma. It's got some objectively funny things, but some depend on you really knowing "that person". Another reactor seemed to not get why everyone was looking that way when the doorbell rang. No, I get it. Even if you've known for months, that point of no return... that truth of your relatives being about to invade your space... it's pure terror. But with a little time/ distance, it becomes comedy.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

@@arisucheddar3097 haha your experiences and holiday expectations 100% inform your reactions to this film! Thanks for watching.

[@HelloWorldxx3]

I watch it every year with the family. Never fails to get laughs no matter how much you watch it.

[@sherylsmallwood-valdivia5375]

The older you get, you more you identify with Clark.

[@forestrot666]

Agreed. A film where you have your favorite scenes and still crack up everytime. Plus, this film is so quotable that it hurts my sides.

[@Sigurjon96]

I think Chevy Chase's performance and portrayal as Clark Griswold is one of the funniest comedy characters ever. He's so likable, caring, nice and friendly but everything gets destroyed around him. Couldn't have had worse luck. Invites his relatives over, gets an overcooked roasted turkey for dinner, fries a cat on pure accident, his precious and beautiful Christmas tree gets burned down and then his "bonus" is a Jelly Of The Month club subscription. So hilarious. Well at least he had the last laugh against his neighbors and boss. The comedic timing in these movies is impeccable. Legendary holiday movies. Truly defined the 80's genre National Lampoon series. I kind of wished that more people appreciated this type of humor. I feel like Chevy Chase improvised a lot of his scenes and lines and doesn't get enough credit for it. These kind of joyful and good-hearted films always get me in a better mood. I can watch it over and over again and get the same laughs as the first time I watched it. The chemistry is amazing between the characters. The rant from Clark is easily one of the best emotional meltdowns in cinema history.

[@impishmisconception7762]

The kid playing Rusty in this movie is played by Johnny Galecki who also plays David in Roseanne and Leonard in The Big Bang Theory

[@RyneMurray23]

The scene with Clark and Ruby sue in the kitchen is nice. Clark is letting her know she will get something that year. Really nice.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

It really was a great scene! Very touching.

[@alliejd]

My favorite Christmas movie. The best quote, which I didn't see in your edit, is when Clark cones out of the garage in the hockey mask and his neighbors ask what he's going to do with a tree that big. He says, "Bend over and I'll show you." The neighbor guy says how dare you say something like that to me, to which Clark responds, "I wasn't talking to you." 🤣

[@bookwoman53]

Hi. Great reaction. This movie reminds me of my dad and how he decorated the outside of the house over 3 days. He was a handyman and was much safer than Chevy Chase. We used to watch this every year.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

I’m glad your dad didn’t cause the same damage as Chevy chase. It must have been a blast!

[@kevlney]

Aunt Bethany was a voice for Olive Oyl and Betty Boop.

[@elizabethstrong6057]

The son is Johnny Galecki, from Roseanne and Big Bang Theory. So young here! Fun reaction, looking forward to the original Miracle on 34th Street.

[@sammitman3031]

Christmas Vacation, Scrooged, and A Christmas Carol (1984 - George C. Scott) best Christmas movies ever made

[@lostcause3151]

This is the Christmas movie I watch every single year 😊

[@chaycole5150]

I love aunt Bethany 🤣🤣🤣

[@StakeJade]

This is a great movie! Such a classic. Chevy Chase was awesome in the 80s. Three of my all-time favourites with him are Funny Farm ('88), Spies Like Us ('85) and Three Amigos! ('86).

[@CasualNerdReactions]

I have heard of the three amigos. I bet they’re all worth a watch!

[@dennislofstrom6177]

Fletch!

[@StakeJade]

The craziest Chevy Chase movie that I've seen must be Modern Problems ('81). All logic and sensibilities are thrown out the window. It's so out there... but hilarious.

[@santaonthecross]

Aunt Bethany was the voice and model for Betty Boop. Just a fun tidbit.

[@LadyKnight72]

Check out 'Trapped in Paradise' starring Nicolas Cage and Jon Lovitz. Another great Christmas movie to enjoy every year. 🎄

[@CasualNerdReactions]

Great title! Never would have pegged it as a Christmas movie, thanks!

[@LadyKnight72]

@@CasualNerdReactions You're very welcome. 😊

[@milescoburn1845]

Yes! Funny, but sweet at times too!

[@TangentOmega]

A running gag with these movies is that the different for every movie.

[@GirlofCulture]

There is unused footage about the tree. Griswolds get back to some drunk guy who sell the trees, but he also had no saw, he just had a shovel. I timeless classic, love that movie..but.. do am i the only one who feels actually sorry for the neiboughers ? I mean.. That was just christmas.. try to imagine what stuff Clark do for other holidays O.o And the movie had an alternative ending as well. Todd and Margo say sorry to each other, they kiss and Margo ask: "It would be nice if Santa comes right now" and the cartoon Santa crushes into there house trough the chimmey and says "Oh, wrong us. Sorry" The End.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

Great info! Thanks for sharing. All of that is hilarious, but probably beet cut from the film.

[@PeggyV69]

This is one of those Xmas movies I have to watch every Xmas season. I love Chevy’s tirade, that’s my favorite part, followed by the squirrel chase thru the house. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@CasualNerdReactions]

The squirrel is the part I remember laughing at the most.

[@ScarlettM]

Vegas Vacation is also pretty good.

[@jamesstringer5170]

Aunt Bethany was legendary voice actress Mae Questal (and I really do mean legendary). She was the one and only voice of Betty Boop. She also voiced Olive Oil and for a time Popeye for Fleischer Studios when his voice actor Jack Mercer was drafted into the military during WWII. She even provided Bettie Boop's voice in "Who framed Rodget Rabbit."

[@CasualNerdReactions]

That’s amazing! Thanks for the background, James.

[@nickmanzo8459]

“Wouldn’t have pegged that as a stereo!” Tech looked a lot different in the 80s.

[@julienielsen4462]

Clarke's bonus will go to renovating his house and the neighbors house.lol.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

🤣 accurate. I didn’t even think about that!

[@mrgonzale0978]

the good thing is they sell the dvd/blu-ray of this movie with different covers every Christmas . but they never add the deleted scenes on any of them and the missing scenes from the original script.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

That’s so interesting! Changing the cover is a good way to keep it feeling fresh.

[@mrgonzale0978]

@@CasualNerdReactions yup. I have the original cover in dvd. But one The blu- ray version is Clark covered with the Christmas lights but the package is white with Christmas decorations.

[@janabraam7963]

This is our favorite Christmas movie. We have watched it 4 times so far this season. We are not done yet.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

Respect. I’ll have to watch again with some friends and see if my experience changes!

[@janabraam7963]

@@CasualNerdReactions Laughter is contagious. You will enjoy it more.

[@shallowgal462]

The old lady who said the Pledge and sang the National Anthem was the original voice of Betty Boop!

[@williamjones6031]

1. When Clark delivers the present to his boss his boss calls him greaseball. 🤣 2. My favorite part is when Ellen pulls the chain on the the trap door. 🤣🤣 3. Mae Questel played Aunt Bethany. She was the original Betty Boop, This was her last gig. 4. In the big rant scene the other actors had Chevy's lines written on placards so he wouldn't forget his lines. 5. This IS my Christmas movie every year 6. Fun fact: This is the only Vacation where Audrey is older than Rusty. 7. My picks in order: Christmas, Vacation, European and finally Last Wages.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

Great trivia! Thank you. It’s crazy to me that they changed the children actors, but even crazy they would tweak their ages. 🤣

[@gamleskalle1]

Vegas

[@jennaB209]

Never gets old. Family classic for me and mine. We like to quote different lines to each other year round.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

This would definitely be a fun movie to quote! I’m so glad you have that with your family.

[@robertbunting3117]

I know it's a ways off but this movie reminded, this Christmas, or whenever really, you should check out...assuming you don't the songs, sorry. 'The 12 Pains of Christmas' by Bob Rivers and 'Bob and Doug Mckenzie the 12 days of Christmas' both are hilarious

[@jdnevesytrof6208]

Chevy's time was definitely the mid-80s, I think his best was "Fletch", where he followed a good bit of the Cary Grant in North by Northwest school by hilariously snarking during dire situations.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

That sounds great! I’ll have to watch it one day.

[@choney1168]

I cried my eyes out during the squirrel scene because I’ve been Stuck in the house with a squirrel and it was terrifying 😩😂

[@CasualNerdReactions]

Oh my gosh. That would be so terrifying. I’m sorry that happened to you.

[@tgfitzgerald]

Once when I was a little girl our entire family was woken up in the middle of the night by the sound of my oldest sister screaming her head off! We all rushed into her room and a BAT had flown down the chimney and was flying around her bedroom! Needless to say we all FREAKED OUT! My dad chased it all over the house with a broom wearing only his boxer shorts. It wasn't funny at the time but it's hysterical now every time we retell that story 😂

[@eddieanderson9399]

The difference between my generation and new generations first watching these movies is big. The scene where Chevy Chase is talking to the lady is funny if you've seen him before.. if you haven't you say, Is he 12? That's the first time I've ever heard that comment. The doorbell ringing is echoed loudly like, oh oh the family they don't get along with is here but he didn't seem to pick up on that much saying, is someone gonna get the door. 🤦‍♂️

[@tree6787]

You would love the Abyss

[@drewg5637]

Clark's boss is played by Brian Doyle Murray, brother of Bill Murray.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

I can totally see that now that you said it. That’s cool!

[@pfcampos7041]

Love your reaction AND commentary!😂😁😂

[@pfcampos7041]

Glad to see you react to comedies too. I am not a fan of horror myself...not a big deal though I just skip over them.

[@milescoburn1845]

For me the funniest parts of the movie is the saucer sled when he puts that spray on it and he takes off like a shot. The other is the bit with the squirrel. I laugh myself silly during that part.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

That was amazing, just so unexpected that I had no choice but to laugh.

[@tophers3756]

Aunt Bethany could come to my place for Christmas. She'd be a riot.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

🤣 super fair. I laughed every time she spoke.

[@radioactive_moose]

He use to due big falls like this every week on SNL.

[@shallowgal462]

This third film is my favorite in the franchise, but I also love the first one.

[@jackmaritt5094]

Thanks Chris, I wanted to laugh, just watched your Train to Busan so you get it 😆

[@CasualNerdReactions]

That movie is so good! And one of my fav reactions 🤣

[@jeffl9167]

We're gonna have the hap- hap- happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap-danced with Danny F*ck*ng Kaye!

[@devoncooper8296]

I like your reactions! Very good critique 👍🏻👍🏻 keep it up. Hope there are some other Christmas movies you react too! Is there any you haven’t seen?

[@CasualNerdReactions]

I’ve seen a lot of Christmas movies, but this year will still have gremlins and miracle on 34th street still to come. Next year possibly polar express, white christmas, shop around the corner and whatever other suggestions come my way.

[@sammitman3031]

I have always wondered how far the walmart was and how they could see all the way there lol

[@CasualNerdReactions]

THIS was the questioned that haunted me when I was editing this. 🤣

[@onebadmonkee2540]

My favorite Christmas movie! Mainly because it makes fun of all the gravitas and high expectations associated with that holiday.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

It really does, that was a theme I really connected with. We usually put unrealistic expectations on these events and it can cause us to be hugely disappointed.

[@kenlangston3451]

This is the third in a four part series. The first one came out in 1983. It is hilarious. The second one came out in 1985 and was called European Vacation. It was funny but not as good as the other three. The fourth one was Vegas Vacation and came out in 1997. It is hilarious as well. But for sheer belly laughs Christmas Vacation is the funniest. Like Home Alone it is like watching a real life cartoon.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

Definite cartoon vibes. It was much better than I expected!

[@tulinfirenze1990]

LMAO when you didn't know what the stereo was!!!

[@CasualNerdReactions]

🤣 accurate. I’ve never seen a stereo larger than a boombox or speakers that moved independently.

[@BigGator5]

Wait, didn't you also react to the original Vacation movie? I could have swore you reacted to it. This is actually the 3rd movie of the series and the kids are re-cast every time. While I can't stop you from watching them all, I only recommend the first two and the most recent one (it's actually not as bad as critics make it out to be). The rest are not funny. Fun Fact: After Clark Griswold unsuccessfully attempts to demonstrate his handiwork with the house Christmas lights to his family, he asks Rusty to help him check all the light bulbs again. Rusty looks at his bare wrist, pretending to have a watch, and excuses himself. Looking at a bare wrist and pretending to have a watch is one of Chevy Chase's trademark gags. Bonus Fun Fact: Final film of Mae Questel, whose film career began in 1930, as the voice of Betty Boop. Pour a glass of eggnog for the legend.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

I’m gonna be completely honest here, I did not realize the extend of this series until after I watched it. I only knew of this one and European vacation, and I thought this one was first. 🤣 whoops! I enjoyed it far more than I expected so I may go back and watch the first two with your recomendación. Love that the kid used his trademark! That’s brilliant.

[@BigGator5]

CNR ...It's not that big of a deal, since there is not much connecting the first three movies. The Vacation movies work solely on "Rule Of Funny" logic, so continuity has been shown the door.

[@dennydowling2169]

@@CasualNerdReactions The main thing you missed is that cousin Eddie is in the first movie, "National Lampoon's Vacation", but not the second. When audiences saw him, they most likely knew who he was. Since his story occupies one of the more interesting plots in the first movie they were counting on more of the same.

[@LN-Lifer]

The FIRST time I introduced my sister to my ex-wife my sister pulled out a birthday wishlist and handed it to her! My ex looked at her and asked her point blank what the hell she was thinking

[@jonnyyen7169]

The neighbors were yuppies, by the late 80s they were seen as a negative.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

I think they’re seen as negative today as well, they are definitely unpleasant, and snobby. Wouldn’t want them for neighbors anymore than the Griswalds.

[@JTMason001]

Great Reaction! This is such a fun movie! Have you seen "A Christmas Story"? If not, that seems like a MUST for a reaction!

[@CasualNerdReactions]

I actually only saw it a few years ago. A friend made me watch it in like October cause she was shocked is never seen it. 🤣 quickly decorated for Christmas, made hot chocolate and celebrated the holiday.

[@terryv2006]

Check out Scrooged starring Bill Murray in a modern, hilarious, retelling of the classic story.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

It is a very interesting movie. I definitely saw it at some point when I was in high school.

[@prettymuchbangtan]

i love this movie but i also hate it because this is literally what every christmas is like at my house. too many relatives staying under one roof, half dislike the other half, shopping trips turn into fucking battles, my aunts terrible fucking cooking (thank god my mom is a fucking excellent cook), etc etc.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

Oh no. It’s difficult when something so hilarious stirs up memories so unpleasant.

[@artman2oo3]

Great reaction. I have to watch this movie every year. Along with Scrooged and A Christmas Story. Watch those other two, too, if you haven’t already.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

Thanks for watching! I have seen those already, unfortunately for the channel, but good for me because I already know how great they are!

[@lees1328]

I love National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. It's my favorite in the Vacation franchise. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, National Lampoon's Vacation, National Lampoon's Vegas Vacation and Vacation (sequel/reboot) are tied and then National Lampoon's European Vacation are my order list. Fun Fact: Juliette Lewis and Johnny Galecki Audrey and Rusty play boyfriend and girlfriend on the revival of Roseanne/The Conners.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

Great rundown! Everyone’s list seems to be different so far! I may one day dig into the rest series a little more.

[@lees1328]

@@CasualNerdReactions oh I forgot the woman who plays Aunt Bethany is the original voice of Bettie Boop. Just some random knowledge. Lol.

[@robertpearson8798]

In this movie Johnny Galecki's grandmother offers him a whole quarter, in Big Bang all he wants is a Penny!

[@lordwalker71]

He had the tree tied to the car

[@mates5425]

Yeah that's right! I'm watching this on august 6th...what you gonna do about it!? 😀

[@CasualNerdReactions]

😅 it’s never a bad time to hangout with the griswolds!

[@dennislofstrom6177]

Memoirs of an invisible man!

[@leftofpunk]

Shitter was full! Did you check our shitter honey?

[@DR-mq1vn]

You should have watched National Lampoon's Vacation first.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

I didn’t even know this was t the first film until after I watched it. I wouldn’t have had any real interest in it before watching this though, so I may loop back one day and check it out!

[@boldbearings]

😂

[@cmyFUfinger]

shitter was full

[@Lunarbob19]

What you reacted to was nice, but it was really hacked up. So many sentences cut off.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

It's true, sorry about that. I've had more issues with copyright claims lately. The previous two before this were both claimed after I had gone public, so I approached editing this one intent to avoid it.

[@markusforsberg6741]

Well all I can say is 80s movies is not for you and you love most modern crap movies i guees. Im going to look for someone here on KZbin who say something better about this awsome christmas movie and 80s movies in general.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

I don’t know, I had a great time watching Gremlins, yesterday. (Coming soon) And I didn’t exactly dislike this movie either. I said for its style it is best in class. I would have loved it if I’d seen it as a teenager. I’ve actually loved most of the 70s and 80s movies I’ve watched on my channel so far. Good luck on your quest to find someone who loves the film the way you do.

[@tgfitzgerald]

Don't you be mean to Chris you big Grinch! 😤

[@semperpieeatordie6990]

In my family if the pledge was done my family would think it's so funny that it would then become tradition. Safe to say my family enjoys weirdness