Can we please get another Vacation movie?

Two years ago I walked into a theater – skeptical, yet optimistic. There was a new Vacation movie. I had seen every single Vacation movie multiple times, including Vegas Vacation (Hey! It’s funnier than you remember!). And this one stars one of my favorite actors (Ed Helms). Still – the idea of a new Vacation movie just sat wrong with me. It was a reboot – or so I thought. It was also rehashing the plot of the original, again, or so I thought. Still, my curiosity outweighed my skepticism, so into the theater I went. And I am so glad I did. Despite the reviews, this turned out to be a very funny movie and true to the spirit of the “original” series. Ed Helms Rusty might be my favorite (sorry Johnny Galecci – you’ve been dethroned). And while absurdist humor is not en vouge anymore, this movie was not afraid to take an absurdist route. Sadly, absurdism is probably why Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 26 percent (I will note that IMDB was a little kinder, giving it a 61 percent). Vacation 2015 was so much fun, and as I sat through this film again recently, one thought came through my mind: I want another Vacation movie, dangit! While I can’t find any hints of a new movie in the works, I can only hope the producers take a chance and go for it. And Hey! If they’re looking for some suggestions, I just happen to have some!

Firstly, let’s not rehash one of the first four movies. It would be really tempting to do another Griswold family Christmas, but I’m not quite sure we’re ready for that yet. A new European Vacation might make sense, as the last scene of Vacation (2015) shows Rusty and Debbie flying to Paris, but we need the kids. And Vegas? Eh….not interested. No, what we need is a fresh destination. I’m thinking Hawaii or Mexico. Somewhere sunny and tropical. And yes, Christmas Vacation 2 went to Hawaii, but no one really counts that movie. Another fun idea: we could see that cabin in Michigan they kept talking about at the begining of the film. Heck, Vacation 2015 was trying to go for a Trains, Planes, and Automobiles vibe – the next movie could go for a Great Outdoors vibe! OK – maybe not.

Secondly, either Get Chevy Chase and Beverly Diangelo to matter or don’t use them at all. I really appreciate the fact that the original couple had a cameo in Vacation. It worked well to establish the film’s place in the canon. Having said that, now that the new series of movies has been placed, maybe we should just steer away from Grandpa and Grandma. Or – maybe we should make them a major part of the movie. Let’s look at Clark’s parents in Christmas Vacation. Would the movie be the same without them? Of course not, their presence mattered. In the same breath – if Clark and Ellen are used, they need to be side characters, again, just like their parents (both sets) in Christmas Vacation. They can come along for the ride if they enrich the movie – but the movie should be about Rusty’s family.

Thirdly, don’t forget the things that worked in the original movies. There should be some absurdist comedy. There should be some stupidity. There should also be a man just trying to do right by his family. There should be some inconsistencies with the kids – different actors, maybe different ages. There should even be a cousin Eddie Shenanigans. Why not?

Fourthly, there should be things that are new to this movie and series. Yes – every movie has had a different Rusty, but replacing Ed Helms would be a crime. For one thing, I like him too much. He’s a funny man and fits the part well. He’s also the main character in this series of movies, and not just a smart alec kid that can be replaced. Another different thing, we could perhaps see; some of the Cousin Eddie clan as not just a bunch of hillbillies – but as people who’ve matured and actually have made something of themselves. So yes, do something different. Especially since in Vacation 2015, the tone was actually set by a conversation during the begining sequence of the film where they recognized they couldn’t just redo the old movie.

Finally, while this and all the Vacation movies are, as I’ve stated earlier, about a man trying to do right by his family by giving them a decent vacation, we need to realize this is not the 80s anymore. Female characters should be a bit more independent. Christina Applegate’s character, Debbie, should not be a housewife, but rather a working mother herself. We should also see (or at least mention) that Audrey gave up on her sham of a marriage. And hey, if Ellen and Clark are in the movie, we should see that Ellen works just as hard (well, most likely harder) as Clark to keep their bed and breakfast Afloat. Seriously, Ellen must be super woman, considering her husband’s zany schemes.

I know the last movie was kind of a flop; I know doing another movie might be a big risk – and let’s be honest – the critics won’t like it no matter how good they make this movie. Still, there’s a lot of good content just waiting to be explored in a future movie (or two…..or three). Dammit! I want another Vacation movie!