National Lampoon’s Vacation The Rewatchables
National Lampoon’s Vacation poster
National Lampoon’s Vacation

What’s Aged the Worst?

Nudity expectations; shower nudity; computer; Chariots of Fire reference; VHS freeze-framing; Hall’s height continuity

In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 00:59:42Read transcript
  • Brinkley reportedly refused requested nudity and negotiated a bra-and-panties pool entrance; the category framing is deliberately ambiguous.
  • D’Angelo’s shower nudity is called unnecessary and characteristic of the era.
  • The home computer looks extremely dated.
  • The Chariots of Fire references may not connect with younger viewers who know the music but have not seen the film.
  • Trying to freeze-frame the pool scene on VHS is recalled as a dated adolescent habit.
  • Hall’s height changes conspicuously in the reshot Wally World ending, leaving him taller than D’Angelo.