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    • BLU-RAY REVIEW

    National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

    Featured In Issue 145, December 2009

    Picture4
    SoundNR
    WSR Score3
    Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
    (Studio/Distributor):
    Warner Home Video
    (Catalog Number):
    1000099990
    (MPAA Rating):
    PG13
    (Rating Reason):
    (Retail Price):
    $49.99
    (Disc Type):
    Single Side, Single Layer (BD-25)
    (Widescreen Edition):
    Yes
    (Full Screen Edition):
    No
    (Running Time In Minutes):
    97
    (Color Type):
    Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access):
    Yes
    (Closed Captioned):
    Yes
    (Regional Coding):
    Not Indicated
    (Theatrical Year):
    1989
    (Theatrical Release):
    Yes
    (Direct-To-Video Release):
    No
    (Disc Release Date):
    11/03/09
    (THX® Digitally Mastered):
    No
    (Director):
    Jeremiah Chechik
    (Screenplay/Written By):
    (Story):
    (Music):
    (Director Of Photography):
    (Production Designer):
    (Visual Effects):
    (Costume Designer):
    (Editor):
    (Supervising Sound Editors):
    (Re-Recording Mixers):
    (Executive Producers):
    (Co-Producers):
    (Producers):
    (Academy Awards):
    (Principal Photography):
    (Theatrical Aspect Ratio):
    (Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):
    (Disc Soundtrack):
    Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
    (Theatrical Sound):
    (Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
    (DTS Bit Rate):
    (Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
    (Additional Languages):
    (French Language):
    (Spanish Language):
    (Chinese Language):
    (Subtitles):
    (Cantonese Language):
    (Mandarin Language):
    (Japanese Language):
    (Italian Language):
    (German Language):
    (Portuguese Language):

    Clark Griswold (Chase) is determined for his family to have a Christmas Vacation they'll never forget! Full of laughs reminiscent of the original National Lampoon's Vacation, some familiar relatives come for a visit and spend the holiday the way it should be spent—as an old-fashioned family Christmas; the Hap-Hap-Happiest Christmas ever! (Tricia Spears)

    The 20th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray Disc™ comes in a collectible gift tin with a few extras, like a replica of Clark Griswold's holiday Santa hat, a set of holiday-themed drink coasters, a box of faux snow, an "I survived a Griswold Family Christmas" button, and a moose figurine—something no one should miss out on this holiday season! Special features include commentary by Randy Quaid, Beverly D'Angelo, Johnny Galecki, Miriam Flynn, Director Jeremiah Chechik, and Producer Matty Simmons; and the theatrical
    trailer.

    This 1.78:1 1080p VC-1 picture encoding exhibits a stronger color palette than the previously reviewed Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD picture, which look washed out and desaturated. Fleshtones no longer lack warmth but are fully saturated, if not overly so at times. Colors are more vibrant and rich in this encoding, for a pleasant visual experience. The image is still generally soft, with a slightly hazy appearance that is inherent in the filmmaking, but close-ups do reveal fine facial features and object textures. Contrast is good, with deep blacks and effective shadow delineation. This is a very pleasing picture that is fun to watch. (Gary Reber)

    As with the previously reviewed Blu-ray Disc's Dolby® Digital 2.0-channel soundtrack and the HD DVD's Dolby Digital Plus 2.0-channel soundtrack reviewed in Issue 117, the Dolby Digital 2.0-channel sound impact is limited, with a narrow stereo spread and little depth to the soundstage. Unfortunately, Warner did not take the opportunity with this collector's edition release to provide a lossless surround encoding. The DVD reviewed in Issue 79 sported such. The movie certainly would have benefitted from surround envelopment. (Gary Reber)

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