Vacation Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "National Lampoon's Vacation" leverages the cinematographic talents of Victor J. Kemper, who adeptly captured the film’s road trip aesthetic despite his urban landscape expertise. However, those expecting a radical improvement over previous releases may be disappointed. The 30th Anniversary Edition retains the same 1080p/VC-1 encode as the 2010 Blu-ray edition, framed in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio. While daylight scenes benefit from robust fine detail and well-balanced contrast, nighttime sequences and low-lit interiors suffer from pronounced blacks that obscure delineation, resulting in inconsistent resolution quality.

Color accuracy remains an asset in this transfer, with facial complexions appearing natural and primary colors like reds manifesting vibrantly. Under harsh desert conditions, colors desaturate authentically without excessive contrast. Black levels and grain texture maintain their integrity without undue digital interference. Nevertheless, the transfer does reveal its age; certain scenes oscillate between satisfactory and suboptimal visual fidelity, particularly noticeable during moments like Chevy Chase’s dialogue with Christie Brinkley in the bar.

Despite advances in transfer and mastering techniques since 2010, this edition does not leverage these new capabilities, missing an opportunity to mark the 30th Anniversary with a visually enhanced edition. While the film is augmented with an HD documentary necessitating a BD-50 disc, the principal film content remains unchanged in file size and bitrate from its predecessor, exhibiting neither newfound artifacts nor improvements. Consequently, though "Vacation" presents as visually passable in high-definition, it falls short of contemporary high-definition standards established by more recent Warner Bros. releases.

The audio presentation of the Blu-ray edition of "Vacation" features the film's original mono mix, now presented in DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0. Despite the single-channel format, this lossless mix delivers impressive sound quality. Dialogue is crystal clear and precise, underscoring every line with exceptional intelligibility. The dynamic range is notably wide, offering an engaging soundstage that is remarkably active for a mono track. Bass extension is deeper than expected, providing a significant presence to scenes with mechanical sounds such as the opening automobile dealership and the desert crash sequence.

The soundtrack, anchored by Lindsay Buckingham's iconic "Holiday Road," remains a catchy highlight, even though it is limited to mono. Unfortunately, some original songs like The Pointer Sisters' "I'm So Excited" have been replaced, detracting slightly from the authenticity of the audio experience. Nonetheless, other musical and discrete effects fill the soundstage attractively, adding to the overall immersive quality of the mix. While a stereo presentation might be preferable for modern audiences, the mono rendition stays true to the original design and still manages to deliver a satisfyingly rich auditory experience.

Overall, the DTS-HD Master Audio mono track provides an immersive experience despite its inherent limitations. It retains the charm of its original release while offering a technically solid upgrade from its lossy counterpart. The soundtrack’s clarity and depth make this Blu-ray edition of "Vacation" a commendable option for fans and audiophiles alike.

The Blu-ray extras for "Vacation" provide a comprehensive and nostalgic look into the film’s production, perfect for fans and cinephiles. The Commentary track, featuring Director Harold Ramis, actors Chevy Chase, Randy Quaid, Anthony Michael Hall, Dana Barron, and producer Matty Simmons, is informative yet disjointed, with Ramis offering the most insight. The contributions from Hall and Barron stand out for their grown-up reflections. The Introduction by Chase, Quaid, and Simmons, though brief and recorded for the 20th Anniversary DVD, adds a touch of humor. The feature-length documentary Inside Story: National Lampoon's Vacation opts for an in-depth exploration through interviews and behind-the-scenes footage, covering the arduous road trip shoot and featuring inputs from key cast and crew members. The Theatrical Trailer feels standard issue yet competent as an advertisement.

Extras included in this disc:

• Introduction by Chevy Chase, Randy Quaid and Matty Simmons: A short, humorous introduction.
• Commentary with Director Harold Ramis, Actors Chevy Chase, Randy Quaid, Anthony Michael Hall, Dana Barron, and Producer Matty Simmons: Informative but somewhat disjointed commentary track.
• Inside Story: National Lampoon's Vacation: Detailed documentary featuring interviews and behind-the-scenes footage.
• Theatrical Trailer: The classic teaser for the film.

Warner Home Video's 30th Anniversary Edition of "National Lampoon's Vacation" revisits a much-loved comedic classic without substantial upgrades to audio or video quality from its previous Blu-ray release three years prior. The Blu-ray remains a solid viewing option, but lacks new content beyond a freshly included feature-length documentary. It makes one wonder why Warner opted for a reissue so soon rather than a more substantial technical improvement.

"National Lampoon's Vacation" is a quintessential road-trip comedy that showcases John Hughes' adept scriptwriting, based on his story for National Lampoon magazine. Directed by Harold Ramis, the film follows Clark Griswold, played by Chevy Chase, whose hapless efforts to bond with his family on a cross-country drive to Walley World lead to relentless misadventures. The movie's success rests heavily on Chase's comedic genius as Clark, whose mix of cluelessness, clumsiness, and misguided optimism creates an enduringly hilarious character. Complementing Chase, Beverly D'Angelo delivers a strong performance as his supportive yet beleaguered wife, and the supporting cast, including Randy Quaid and Anthony Michael Hall, add substantial comedic value.

Chase’s portrayal of Clark—a dad persistently hopeful in the face of disaster—transcends typical slapstick, offering a nuanced display of fervent paternal desire that becomes increasingly manic. This dynamic, paired with Ramis’ keen comedic direction, ensures that "Vacation" transcends its '80s roots to stand as a timeless piece of American comedy cinema. Despite the '30th Anniversary' badge, the reissued Blu-ray package primarily appeals to die-hard fans seeking nostalgia rather than new technical enhancements or extras.

If you’re in the market for a dose of classic '80s comedy, the Blu-ray edition of 'National Lampoon’s Vacation' provides a delightful option with a few notable caveats. This enduring tale of a family road trip gone hilariously awry showcases Chevy Chase in one of his most beloved roles and remains a mainstay in American comedic film history. The Blu-ray's video and audio quality are respectable but not groundbreaking, providing a decent upgrade over previous releases.

The supplementary material on this Blu-ray disc, however, leaves much to be desired. Despite expectations for nostalgic extras and insightful commentary, the collection of additional content is underwhelming and sparse. This is particularly disappointing given the film's iconic status. It’s a minor blemish on what could otherwise have been a stellar re-release, especially for aficionados who already own previous editions such as the 20th Anniversary DVD.

If you don't already own Vacation on Blu-ray, this disc is an easy choice. If you own the existing Blu and you love the film, you might want to wait until this one goes on sale to add the documentary to your collection. The film itself is a comedy classic, and it doesn't appear that Warner will be revisiting it again any time soon. With caveats, recommended.