National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Blu-ray Review

The new 1080p, AVC-encoded Blu-ray release of "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" showcases a significant upgrade from previous iterations, thanks to Warner Home Video's meticulous remastering process. Digitally scanned at 2K from a newly created interpositive at YCM Laboratories, this Blu-ray boasts an average bitrate of 32.87 Mbps compared to the earlier disc's 18.51 Mbps. This substantial increase in bitrate results in a more detailed and visually richer presentation. While the film retains the soft, dark cinematographic style characteristic of its 1989 origin on 35mm film, advancements in scanning and color-correction technology offer a rock-steady image with a natural grain pattern. Notable improvements include a clear uptick in fine details, such as Clark's tearful eyes and stubble, indicative of a well-executed transfer.

Color fidelity has notably improved; the previous disc's magenta push has been eliminated, resulting in more realistic flesh tones and colder, more accurate representations of snowy scenes. The new transfer is darker in certain scenes, reflecting a modern approach that eschews the boosted contrast typical of DVD-era transfers. The frame is also slightly tighter on all four sides, aligning with contemporary remastering practices aimed at source fidelity rather than compensating for overscan. However, it's essential to temper expectations—this is no leap to modern digital sharpness but a respectful enhancement of the original film's aesthetics.

Presented in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio, the Blu-ray offers appreciable detail in elements such as clothing textures, furniture, and environmental features like the Griswold’s oversized tree and Eddie's dilapidated RV. Despite not achieving the depth or sharpness some fans may have hoped for, the colors are bright and robust, enhancing the comedic spirit. Overall, this Blu-ray release stands as the definitive version of "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation," offering the best visual experience of the classic holiday film to date.

The audio presentation of "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" on Blu-ray preserves the film's original Dolby Stereo format by encoding it in lossless DTS-HD MA 2.0. This choice stays true to the original theatrical experience, avoiding unnecessary alterations that could detract from its authentic feel. Warner's attention to detail ensures that even viewers with basic receivers equipped with various DSP modes can easily engage all their speakers, if desired. The new DTS-HD MA 2.0 encoding delivers a notable improvement over the earlier DD 2.0 track, with pronounced clarity and depth in background details, significantly enhancing the overall immersive experience.

From the moment the film begins, the DTS-HD MA stereo soundtrack envelops the front soundstage with a remarkable sense of expansiveness and spatial width. The high-resolution track exhibits excellent fidelity and detailed clarity, especially in the upper ranges. Musical selections, including Mavis Staples's energetic theme song and Bing Crosby's "Mele Kalikimaka," are rendered with warmth and richness, adding to the festive atmosphere. The soundtrack adeptly uses low-frequency effects to add weight to both music and action scenes, providing a palpable feel to moments like Clark's chainsaw mishaps and Margo's comically aggressive actions. Vocals remain distinct and centered throughout this dynamic presentation.

The lossless mix, likely derived from the original Dolby Surround elements, works well with modern receiver sound processing modes like DSU and Pro Logic II. This effectively extends discrete ambient effects into surround channels, making for an immersive and satisfying auditory experience. This comprehensive audio upgrade not only honors the source material but also delivers an engaging and vibrant soundfield, making "Christmas Vacation" on Blu-ray an audiophile's delight.

The extras provided on the remastered Blu-ray disc of "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" are a mix of carryovers from previous releases and a few new additions. The audio commentary, featuring cast members like Beverly D'Angelo, Johnny Galecki, Randy Quaid, and Miriam Flynn, alongside director Jeremiah Chechik and producer Matty Simmons, remains the same as in earlier editions. The commentary provides an engaging discussion filled with technical insights and on-set anecdotes, making it an enjoyable listen. Additionally, there is still the original trailer available in HD. New inclusions like the DVD copy, UV digital copy, and steelbook packaging are welcome but don't add additional content.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Cast and crew share insights and anecdotes.
• Trailer (HD): Original trailer in high definition.

"National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation," penned by the iconic John Hughes, remains a quintessential holiday favorite. Known for his rare ability to blend slapstick humor with sentimentality, Hughes crafted a narrative centered on Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) and his quest for a perfect Christmas. This film diverges from the usual Vacation series storyline by keeping the Griswolds at home, amplifying the relatable drama of a chaotic family holiday. Beverly D’Angelo returns as Clark’s loyal wife Ellen, while Juliette Lewis and Johnny Galecki make their series debuts as their eye-rolling children. The ensemble cast includes stellar performances by Randy Quaid as Cousin Eddie and notable appearances from John Randolph, Diane Ladd, Doris Roberts, and E.G. Marshall.

Director Jeremiah Chechik masterfully juxtaposes Clark's holiday-induced mania against an array of obnoxious relatives and grating next-door neighbors played by Nicholas Guest and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. The film’s humor rides high on Hughes's script that blends situational comedy with physical slapstick—highlighted in scenes like the colossal Christmas tree fiasco, a 25,000-light decoration fail, and the chaos brought by an uninvited squirrel. Although the narrative is thin and punctuated by predictable gags, it successfully encapsulates the frenetic energy and obligatory cheer of Christmas.

The 25th-anniversary Blu-ray edition offers a superior viewing experience compared to earlier releases. The new transfer captures the film’s original theatrical quality with remarkable clarity, accompanied by a lossless soundtrack that enhances the comedic timing and festive atmosphere. While Hughes’s script occasionally veers into crude humor reminiscent of the series’ roots, his signature touch ensures that "Christmas Vacation" delivers both laughter and heartfelt moments, making it an enduring holiday staple. The disc's extras include a collectible steelbook package and a digital copy, catering to both nostalgic viewers and new audiences discovering this chaotic yet endearing holiday classic.

The Blu-ray release of "National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation" stands as a testament to the film’s enduring appeal, cementing its place as a modern holiday classic. Warner Bros. has responded adeptly to consistent demand by fans for an upgraded release, delivering an enhanced package that prioritizes audiovisual fidelity. The new 25th Anniversary steelbook edition notably features an improved lossless audio mix that heightens the festive atmosphere, ensuring an immersive viewing experience that resonates with audiences.

In terms of visuals, the remastering efforts significantly elevate the film's presentation. Colors are more vibrant, and the clarity of the image has been markedly refined, making the family shenanigans of the Griswolds all the more engaging. The video quality now maximizes the Blu-ray format’s capabilities, showcasing a clear departure from previous releases that felt rushed or subpar by today's standards. This dedication to picture and sound quality serves to highlight why the film has become a staple in holiday movie collections.

For years now, posters at Blu-ray.com and elsewhere have been urging studios to revisit early catalog efforts like Christmas Vacation and, as the saying goes, do them right. Ironically, though, no sooner was the remastered Christmas Vacation formally announced than complaints began to appear about the lack of any major new extras and, at the extreme, the very fact that Christmas Vacation was being revisited at all when so many other titles have yet to see a first release. From where I sit, such objections miss the point. A lot of titles were rushed out the door in Blu-ray's early days in a form that was far below the level of quality of which the format is capable. A perennial like Christmas Vacation is an ideal candidate for remastering, because each year provides another opportunity to re-promote it. Warner has done it right by focusing on the essence of Blu-ray, which is picture and sound. It's now up to the enthusiast community to help prove, by voting with their wallets, that such efforts can be profitable so that more of them will be funded. Highly recommended.