Like all the movies in the "Vacation" series, 1989's "National Lampoons Christmas Vacation" is comedy grounded in the concept that what can go wrong will go wrong -- and will be funny because of it. It is hilarious and absurd, but never does it fail to capture the spirit of the holiday upon which it is built.

Chevy Chases Clark W. Griswold is the hero of every "Vacation" movie, the endearing but disaster-prone man who is always finding trouble, but only because he tries so hard to make his family happy. Clarks heart is always in the right place even when hes angry because he only wants the best for his family. Thats what makes him such a lovable character. You cannot help but root for a guy who puts others ahead of himself, especially when comedy is the result.

It seems that Clark learned a lesson from his misadventures in the first two films, so he and wife Ellen (Beverly DAngelo) decided to stick around home for this Christmas season. Of course, Clark cannot steer clear of trouble, especially when family comes to visit.