Summer is almost over and school is right around the corner. If you missed your chance to go on a vacation consider a "stay-cation" at home this weekend. Just rent all four of the original "Vacation" movies and let the Griswald's go on vacation for you. If you don't have time to do that then enjoy this recap and ranking and enjoy a 10 minute vacation for your mind.

National Lampoon's Vacation

In light of John Hughes' recent passing this film and the franchise it spawned is even more touching and revealing. The film is based on an article Hughes wrote for National Lampoon Magazine based on his real life family vacation. Most of the characters and events were fully formed within the article before they became a screenplay and then a film. Everything from picking up Aunt Edith and her dog, to cousin Eddie were described in painful and amusing detail. Only minor things were changed and the ending, in the article the father shoots Walt Disney in the leg. This first film in which the family's destination is "Wallyworld" is a classic.


The Rusty/Audrey Meter: Rusty is played by future "Brat Packer" Anthony Michael Hall and the lesser known but cute as a button Dana Barron who played Audrey were both perfectly cast. Aside from Audrey's lack of response to Jane Krakowski's Cousin Vicki announcing that her Daddy said she's the best at French kissing Dana's portrayal is accurate but boring.

National Lampoon's European Vacation

This time the Griswald's, suddenly spelled Griswold for reasons unknown and unexplained, decide to go to Europe on an ill-conceived, jammed packed, over-scheduled trip they won on the television game show, "Pig in a Poke." This one contains the always quoted, "Big Ben kids!" Add a kidnapping and cameo from Monty Python's Eric Idle and you have a very funny romp of a film.


The Rusty/Audrey Meter: Dad still can't remember Audrey's name and her boyfriend had to take the summer off from the Cobra Kai in order to date her and then cheat on her. She has an eating disorder in this one and she's played by Dana Hill who looks much older than the character should be. Yet she's the funniest of all the actresses to play Audrey and Audrey's role is the juiciest in this installment. All-in-all the best Audrey of the series. The Rusty leaves much to be desired. Played by Jason Lively he's gangly but in an awkwardly annoying way. He's believable in the "never gets laid department" but his appearance on screen signals a repulsive "can't wait for this scene to be over" response. This one is probably the worst Rusty of the series.

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

Clark gets trapped in the attic and goes down memory lane. They manage to kill a cat that Aunt Bethany wrapped as a Christmas gift along with a Jello mold. And Cousin Eddie finally goes overboard and kidnaps Clark's boss in order to force the tightwad to hand over the Christmas bonus because you can't buy a swimming pool with a ham. By far the funniest of the entire series it should be given the most credit since everyone comes to the Griswald's for the holiday and the entire film takes place in the family homestead. Another funny thing about this one, this was the last one Hughes wrote, his next big hit was Home Alone. Coincindence, probably not.


The Rusty/Audrey Meter: Juliette Lewis plays the sexiest Audrey of the series, hands down. Johnny Galecki who started as the boyfriend on "Roseanne" plays Rusty as a pre-teen in a creepy awkward fashion. Johnny now plays a much more likable yet equally sexually repressed character on "The Big Bang Theory."

National Lampoon's Vegas Vacation

In this one Clark wants to celebrate his achievements in food additives by first asking his family to eat 3 year-old cookies and drink 2 year-old milk and then announcing that he's taking them on a vacation to "family friendly" Vegas. No one wants to go until they get there, then no on wants to leave. And thanks to Clark they almost can't. He spends the entire time gambling away his life-savings. Ellen is pursued by Wayne Newton. Rusty lands a fake ID and discovers his lucky streak and Audrey almost becomes a stripper. After digging up cousin Eddie's money which he hid in his radio-active yard Clark attempts to win back his money but only succeeds in losing Eddie's. Clark then saves the day by befriending an old man who wins the Keno jackpot and then kick's the bucket, leaving Clark with the money. Oh, and Rusty wins four brand new cars. Apparently not everything that happens in Vegas stays there. Did we mention that "Ferrari-girl" makes a cameo alongside her baby in this one?


The Rusty/Audrey Meter: Rusty is goofy and believable. Ethan Embry plays the most lovable and best Rusty of the series. Audrey is a little too young to pack any weight as an actress and her character is both underwritten and underused. She's by far the weakest in the series, although it is interesting to see the kids "all grown up."


Story by Erin MacMillan-Ramirez

Starpulse contributing writer