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

Apex Mountain

D’Angelo; family-vacation films; Ferrari 308 GTS; Brinkley; dead aunts (tentative); white privilege

In the discussion (13)
Approx. transcript time · 01:16:49Read transcript
  • Chase’s apex is disputed between this film and Fletch, with Clark’s popular recognition and the later Christmas film’s longevity supporting Vacation.
  • D’Angelo receives an affirmative apex selection.
  • Hall is rejected in favor of The Breakfast Club or Weird Science; his Dark Knight role is raised as another comparison.
  • Family vacation films receive agreement.
  • The Ferrari 308 GTS receives an affirmative Apex choice.
  • Brinkley receives an affirmative choice, with the near-contemporary Uptown Girl video considered as an alternative.
  • John Diehl is rejected as not yet at his peak; a later television death is suggested, and Madhouse is recalled as another strong appearance.
  • Holiday Road prompts a debate about purpose-written 1980 s opening-credit songs: The Power of Love and Danger Zone are favored alternatives, while Purple Rain and Call Me raise eligibility questions.
  • The Power of Love is distinguished as perhaps the strongest standalone song, while Danger Zone and Holiday Road are praised for immediately establishing their films’ moods.
  • Candy is rejected for Apex here.
  • Roller-coaster films are initially affirmed, then withdrawn after Fear and Final Destination are mentioned.
  • Dead aunts receive a tentative number-one claim without a competing example.
  • Clark repeatedly escaping consequences is belatedly labeled an apex of white privilege.