‘Vegas Vacation’ Movie Review – All the Facts and Fun

Looking for a Las Vegas movie that is fun and laid-back? Want to feel the thrill of casino games and spending big without leaving the couch or risking your own money? Then the Vegas Vacation movie is what you need. This 1997 Warner Bros. film starring Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo has all the glamour and luxury of Vegas gambling without the aggressive scenes of card counters getting beat up by the casino security guards. Let our Vegas Vacation movie review lead the way towards entertainment.

In this post, we’ll take you to the fabulous Las Vegas of 1997 with our review of the Vegas Vacation movie. We’ll present the stars – Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo – and the cast. We’ll give you a plot summary, the official trailer, and some memorable ‘Vegas Vacation’ quotes. We’ll also give you the top 10 things to do on a family vacation in Vegas, as inspired by the movie. Finally, we’ll comment on the juxtaposition of gambling and family values.

National Lampoon’s ‘Vegas Vacation’ Plot Summary & Trailer

Did the Vegas Vacation trailer make you want to see more? As you will have the chance to learn from our Vegas Vacation movie review, the movie’s even more interesting. It’s the story of a family from Chicago going on a Las Vegas vacation that is supposed to bring them together. However, as soon as they land in Sin City, every family member strays away from the pack.

The father, Clark Griswold, played by Chevy Chase, is attracted to gambling. He tries his luck at several casino games, but all he manages to do is lose all the money he has, including his children’s college fund – a total of $22,600. He accomplishes that mostly because of the faulty notion that he’ll win his lost money back, which happens to be one of the pitfalls of gaming and a classic red flag for the responsible gambling organisations.

The mother, Ellen Griswold, played by Beverly D’Angelo, spends most of her time with Mr. Las Vegas – Wayne Newton, who’s infatuated with her. The daughter, Audrey Griswold, played by Marisol Nichols, explores the Las Vegas nightlife with Cousin Vicki, a dancer at the Areola strip club. The son, Rusty Griswold, played by Ethan Embry, gets incredibly lucky. He plays slots four times, each time winning a luxury car. He wins at any game he plays.

The ‘Vegas Vacation’ Cast

As you can see from the Vegas Vacation trailer, the cast is no surprise to anyone who’s seen the previous three National Lampoon’s Vacation movies – National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983), National Lampoon’s European Vacation (1985), National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989). The stars of the ‘Vegas Vacation’ cast are the iconic onscreen couple, Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo, and Randy Quaid again plays Cousin Eddie. But let’s have a look at the Vegas Vacation cast:

‘Vegas Vacation’ Filming Locations

Unlike other Vegas movies where the script says action takes in one casino, but filming is done in another, Vegas Vacation is filmed at The Mirage Hotel & Casino. It’s easy to see where the Griswolds are staying or where the gambling takes place because The Mirage façade appears throughout the movie. Speaking of other Vegas movies, perhaps you’d like our Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas movie review. Back to Vegas Vacation, here are some other filming locations:

Top 10 Things to Do on a ‘Vegas Vacation’ (Inspired by the Movie)

Gambling & Family Values in ‘Vegas Vacation’

Las Vegas is the perfect backdrop for any gambling activity, and in this film, they have tried to list them all. There’re scenes of blackjack, roulette, slots, baccarat, craps, and keno. There are some weird types of gambling games, such as picking a number, coin toss, Rock Paper Scissors, etc. Also, some Vegas Vacation quotes on gambling are a real gem.

But gambling comes in all shapes and sizes. Metaphorically speaking, Ellen Griswold gambles her marriage, Audrey Griswold – her college future. As for Rusty Griswold – he seems to be doing fine with the four cars he’s won and his success as a high roller. However, he loses himself in the newly created persona by the name Nick Pappagiorgio, the name on his fake ID.

Isn’t there legalized prostitution? – Rusty Griswold, played by Ethan Embry in ‘Vegas Vacation’

In the good old Hollywood tradition, family values are put to the test at perhaps the most trying battlefield of values in history – Las Vegas. They get lost, and no Las Vegas Strip map can help them. First, they fail at staying together and then – even worse at making it on their own. The whole fiasco is resolved by a family reunion at sunrise. The new day brings hope for the Griswolds and some Vegas Vacation quotes to remember.

Once they start appreciating each other and stop chasing their losses, they get all they have lost and more, thanks to the selfless gesture of a stranger – an old guy gives them his winning keno ticket. The Griswolds get their happy ending, sealed by the symbolic renewal of marriage vows. You’d think their Vegas vacation would have taught them the dangers of gambling, but here’s what Clark Griswold says at the end of National Lampoon’s Vegas Vacation:

Gambling is what made America great. You see, kids, when Columbus set sail on a little rickety boat and let it ride all the way to the New World, it was a gamble. Ben Franklin, Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, all gamblers. – Clark Griswold, played by Chevy Chase in Vegas Vacation

FAQ About ‘Vegas Vacation’ Movie

There you have it – an overview of National Lampoon’s Vegas Vacation. Is there something missing? Do you have any questions regarding the film left unanswered? Now, you’ll have another chance to get the skinny on this 1997 Warner Bros. movie because we have selected the most common questions and given our answers below. And if the movie made you want to play some casino games, check out the top USA online casinos.

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