I enjoyed Christmas Vacation but was disappointed in European Vacation. The original Vacation though for me will always be the best one, being the funniest and most original of them in my opinion. The film looks great, the cinematography and scenery are striking and the fashions and the film as a whole hold up well. The soundtrack has a great energy about it, the script is very funny and quotable, the gags don't fall into the trap of being tired and stale and the story is well-paced, energetic and heart-warming. Chevvy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo give great performances, as do Randy Quaid, Eugene Levy and John Candy. All in all, a great film and a comedy classic. I personally wouldn't go as far to say it is one of the best movies ever, but I would class it as a personal favourite. 10/10 Bethany Cox

NATIONAL LAMPOON'S VACATION is the first and undoubtedly the best of the NATIONAL LAMPOON series, a genuinely funny road movie with strong performances and first-rate direction from GHOSTBUSTERS star Harold Ramis. The plot adopts a simple journey narrative and one which would be repeated for the sequel European VACATION; the long-suffering Griswold family go from place to place, wreaking havoc all the while.

There's a strong mixture of different types of humour here, from end-of-their-tether character laughs to slapstick gags and plenty of wisecracks and innuendo. Much of the humour is witty and it also has a fairly dark edge that makes it stand out from the usual John Hughes-scripted family fare, particularly the bits with Randy Quaid, the dog, and the aunt. The movie belongs to Chevy Chase, who is very entertaining in the lead role, but there are a handful of supporting performers who don't disappoint either. Beverly D'Angelo, in a MUCH racier role than she played in the sequels, sparks off Chase very well, and there's a late-stage cameo from John Candy which continues to delight. In fact, there's very little to dislike overall about this popular '80s comedy.

The Griswold family (Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Anthony Michael Hall, Dana Barron) from Chicago is driving cross-country to the Walley World theme park.

It starts off with a great happy vibe with the song Holiday Road by Lindsey Buckingham. Director Harold Ramis and writer John Hughes have created one of the iconic comedies from the 80s. This was when Chevy Chase still has his likability and not overstayed his welcome. This is undeniably Chevy's best movie. The three creates a goofy silly comedy deserving of the National Lampoon moniker. The comedy is broad. There are black stereotypes. Beverly flashes her boobs. It's college humor of the times.

I do have to say that I didn't realize that Jane Krakowski was the first Cousin Vicki. It's been awhile since I saw this back in the day and she was a nobody. I still laugh at the french kissing joke. Cousin Eddie and his inappropriate family is where this movie starts to get interesting. The ridiculous problems keep mounting, and the jokes keep coming.