It's tough to review a movie like this since comedy affects us all in different ways depending on our moods. The only previous Vacation movie I saw in theaters was “Christmas Vacation”, and at the time, I couldn't understand why everyone was laughing so hard at such stupid jokes. It has grown on me and is one of my 'must watch' movies every Christmas, as it is with many people. Of course I have also enjoyed the other Vacation movies several times at home. This Vacation reboot/sequel was directed and written by John Francis Daley and Jonathan M. Goldstein (with John Hughes writing as well).

Ed Helms is the fourth actor to play Rusty Griswold on the big screen (made for DVD features not included). While he is not replacing Chevy Chase as Clark, his character has that role to fill, although there are differences with the approach. Rusty (Helms) isn't the flirty womanizer Clark 'tried' to be, but more of a family man, just lucky enough to have landed a wife. I personally never thought of Helms as much of a lead actor, and in this film he does seem to be a supporting character that ties everyone together. I wonder what the movie would be like if they had brought Johnny Galeki back to the big screen to reprise his role (from “Christmas Vacation”) as Rusty, but Helms was a safe choice. Although they tried to have him break down, and have those sentimental moments Clark always had, Rusty seemed more flat in comparison.

Christina Applegate certainly holds her own in anything I've seen her in and proved herself as a strong lead in the Anchorman. She plays a strong co-star to Helms in this and certainly had some funny and ridiculous moments early on. Be sure to finish up your popcorn quickly...you may not want to be eating during her frat house scene!

A much stronger presence in this incarnation was the dynamic between the two boys, James and Kevin Griswold, especially Kevin, played by Steele Stebbins! It was so inappropriate to see a young boy saying and doing the things he did, but it worked every time! Skyler Gisondo played an older, awkward teenaged James Griswold who pulled in some laughs, and some sympathy that some of us can relate to from time to time.

It seems they found a way to bring a similar mid-journey, ridiculous element to that of cousin Eddie from the first film; this time at sister Aubrey's ranch with husband Stone Crandall, played by Chris Hemsworth. I now forgive Hemsworth for that mess of a movie Blackhat, as he stole the show for this movie. Leslie Mann played Aubrey, but she was hugely overshadowed by Hemsworth's character. His sequence was a high point, and disgusting!

Another notable appearance was that of Norman Reedus, though I won't say more, other than his brief scenes got the loudest, involuntary, embarrassing laugh from me!

Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo are back for a few scenes, and much to my surprise Chase had me laughing! D'Angelo was a bit less prominent which made me wonder if she was too frail to contribute much? Still it was nice to see them both. It is difficult to see Chase as Clark any more considering his obvious weight gain. He was hilarious as a skinny guy, but it's tough to see an older, larger version for some reason. John Candy (really missed him at the gates of Wally World) and Chris Farley pulled off the big guy comedy, but seeing Chase like this is tough to appreciate somehow. I suppose we just expect characters to look the way we remember them.

After seeing this Vacation I was asked by a friend if I recommend it, or was it stupid. My answer was, "Yes, and yes!" “Vacation” is ridiculous and juvenile...and often hilarious! At one part I caught myself laughing out loud while saying "That's so stupid!" If you don't like one joke there is another coming soon. Many parts are disgusting, inappropriate, and shocking, but the movie had myself and the audience I saw it with laughing throughout! The trailers DO give away some (but not all) of the best jokes. If they make you laugh then you can go in expecting 99 minutes of the same kind of humor.

I give it 7 out of 10.