The first half hour in particular is clogged with wheezing routines that appear to have no punchlines.
– John Hartl,
Film.com,
1 Jan 2000
rotten:
There is nothing more memorable about Vegas Vacation than the flatness of the writing in Elisa Bell's script and the uninspired direction of first-timer Stephen Kessler.
– Jack Mathews,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb 2001
rotten:
I'll lay you 3-to-1 odds that by the end of this flick even fans will be thinking that this wasn't a trip worth taking.
– Bruce Walker,
Washington Post,
22 Jan 2002
rotten:
A tepid fourth entry in the popular 1980s series that is decidedly showing its age.
– Todd McCarthy,
Variety,
26 Mar 2009
fresh:
The subplots involving D'Angelo and Newton and Ethan Embry -- the Griswolds' son, who can't stop winning -- have their charms.