Hotel Hell Vacation is a short film reviving the classic Vacation franchise from the eighties and nineties. It brings back Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo in their older years playing who they play best; Clark and Ellen. After four (five counting the spin off Cousin Eddie's Island Adventure) feature films, the series gets a nice short film that premiered during Super Bowl XLIV to promote HomeAway Inc.
Clark and Ellen, now grandparents, are on their way to their son Rusty's (Greer) house to visit their grand kids. Along the way the couple take a detour to Le Grand Connard, a very uptight and sophisticated hotel. Clark and Ellen experience nothing but problems in this hotel; the room is too small, the rooms aren't very comfortable, the receptionist is pushy, and there is little to no way to get food. The couple are to deal with the unfair and lousy service.
Hotel Hell Vacation is a lot more than I expected for a promotional commercial. It's a fun and clever film that revives not only the Vacation franchise, but what I love about it. The humor and the characters. Clark is back with his clever persona and do right attitude along with Ellen and her "stay calm, Sparky" attitude. It's nothing but smiles while watching this short film. If only it could've been a full length movie, then I would've been fully satisfied. I imagine Chase and D'Angelo were tired of the franchise, and just wanted to do this one little thing to wrap up the whole franchise. It's a nice way to close in on a near perfect series.
Starring: Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, and Travis Greer. Directed by: Bryan Buckley.
