I think this picture captured all things brilliant in comedic actor Chevy Chase. I have not always appreciated EVERY picture he was starred in, but "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" shows the man can be absolutley solid in a comedic lead when he has the best material put before him.

Its so funny to think of the four movies create in the "Vacation" franchise, the third installment would be the best one. Why? My answer is…its Christmas time. Christmas is hetic for almost everyone we know, especially when we reunite with family for it. This movie not only enjoys exposing this sterotype, but it also places Chase's famed character of Clark W. Griswold in a perfect storyline for mishaps and hilarious antics.

Very simply, "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation," is about Griswold's quest to fullfill his dream of having a big family Christmas at his own house, now that he is an adult and with a family of his own. So he sets out to find the best of everything, the biggest tree, the most decroative lights, the best gift for his wife and kids i.e. an inground swimming pool, and as many inlaws and kin he can squeeze under his roof for Christmas dinner.

Of course, since its Clark Griswold at the helm for the holiday festivities, every effort he makes to do anything goes entirely and hilariously wrong. John Hughes (Home Alone) wrote the screenplay, which is maybe his best credit as a writer in his entire career.

"NL's Christmas Vacation" is definitely laugh-for-laugh the most hilarious Christmas themed picture in existence. It covers slap stick comedy, tongue-tied moments and generally stressed out characters, all of which are Chase's specialty.

Beverly D'Angelo (American History X) stars as wife Ellen Griswold once again, while casting changed faces of the Griswold children Audrey and Rusty. In past "NL's Vacation" pictures, and the fourth installment, Rusty has always been the older sibling, but this time around Hughes thought it be better if Audrey were to have a LITTLE brother to deal with. Having Rusty as the younger child works perfectly for this Christmas romp.

In "NL's Christmas Vacation," Rusty is played by Johnny Galecki (TV's Roseanne), while Audrey is played by none other than Academy Award nominated Juliette Lewis.

The picture's supporting cast lights up with such awesome older actors as Dianne Ladd, Doris Roberts, the late EG Marshall and John Randolph. In addition, Randy Quad revamps his character Eddie from the first Vacation installment and adds much of the film's laughs through the second act.

Other faces to note are Brian Doyle Murray and the late William Hickey.

The writing and performances carry this picture. Canadian director Jeremiah Chechik (The Avengers-1998) could have sat around with his thumb up his ass and the picture still would've been a smash. He followed very basic visual comedy rules and the picture sails with its prime strengths.

"NL's Christmas Vacation" is the best of its franchise and possibly the best of the holiday. You're missing out if for some reason you've never seen it.

Benn - Where's the Humanity?