i thought it was going to be funny with the previews on TBS, but when I saw the real thing, it was pathetic. Somehow the film was serious than actually funny. Its about a depressed man for which his family doesn't give a damn about him. Bryan Cranston plays the long lost cousin of Judge Reinhold for which he is a putz on the nervous breakdown and wants a real relationship with his family. Bryan was the reason i watched this movie.
15 Reviews
An insult to the previous Lampoon Vacation movies!
andymac6723 November 2003
What an insult to all the previous National Lampoon Vacation movies! Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Randy Quaid and the others who helped make the National Lampoon Vacation movie series great over the past 20 years should be apologized to. This movie was absolute horrible! Judge Reinhold I felt was the wrong person to play the character Mitch Snyder. (I'm glad they had sense enough not to call him Clark Griswold as well!). The movie never really produced any genuine all-out laughs.
If you're a big fan of the National Lampoon Vacation movies, you're gonna be disappointed with this one. All I will say is it's a good thing it was made-for-tv movie and was free!
If you're a big fan of the National Lampoon Vacation movies, you're gonna be disappointed with this one. All I will say is it's a good thing it was made-for-tv movie and was free!
This turkey is rancid
ca_dale10 August 2006
I almost never give movies a 1/10; even really bad films usually have some small redeeming qualities. Unfortunately Thanksgiving Family Reunion is so mind-numbing bad it isn't even worth seeing for a cheap laugh.
Horribly delivered, unfunny, often embarrassing jokes, terrible acting, completely forgettable characters, and no plot or direction what so ever. A completely pointless waste of time from start to finish.
Remember when National Lampoon made good films like "Animal House" and "Vacation"? Where did it go so horribly wrong?
1/10 all the way.
Horribly delivered, unfunny, often embarrassing jokes, terrible acting, completely forgettable characters, and no plot or direction what so ever. A completely pointless waste of time from start to finish.
Remember when National Lampoon made good films like "Animal House" and "Vacation"? Where did it go so horribly wrong?
1/10 all the way.
"Nothing here makes any sense"
danindenver27 November 2003
Tasteless and embarrassing.
Tasteless exposure of nearly every embarrassing thing you never want the world to know about your family - plus a few more things that make watching this movie quite uncomfortable.
Judge Reinhold's characteristic awkward, uncomfortable performance could have been used to gain the sympathy of the viewer. Instead it became simply boring. But I don't blame him. The overall lack of comedic timing in this movie indicates serious problems throughout production. The movie had plenty of clever gag ideas as well as some bad ones. Many of the situations touched on were ones that the average person could relate to. The problem was in the amateurish implementation, nearly every - step - of - the - way. Each of the actors and actresses had good moments: good facial expressions and reactions. But, at the end of each scene, one shouldn't be left wondering "what was that all about?". The gags were thrown out there, but the scenes weren't polished: the bedroom-sharing scene ended on a very lame note. The nude shower scene was obviously intended as a gross-out piece, but that's all it was - disgusting, not funny. Even a mud-wrestling scene provides no satisfaction for the male audience. What was the point of including it, then?
"Since this project is categorized as being in production", I hope that the producers will take the time to reconnect the dots and polish up the scenes. There is potential, here, for a good movie.
Apart from that, one thing the movie managed to do quite well was to totally denigrate the profession of anesthesiology. Now, I'm not a big fan of doctors, but the absolute insult to this medical specialty was sad and unnecessary. I feel truly sorry for them, now.
The best line in the movie is one that sums up the entirety of the experience: "Nothing here makes any sense"
Tasteless exposure of nearly every embarrassing thing you never want the world to know about your family - plus a few more things that make watching this movie quite uncomfortable.
Judge Reinhold's characteristic awkward, uncomfortable performance could have been used to gain the sympathy of the viewer. Instead it became simply boring. But I don't blame him. The overall lack of comedic timing in this movie indicates serious problems throughout production. The movie had plenty of clever gag ideas as well as some bad ones. Many of the situations touched on were ones that the average person could relate to. The problem was in the amateurish implementation, nearly every - step - of - the - way. Each of the actors and actresses had good moments: good facial expressions and reactions. But, at the end of each scene, one shouldn't be left wondering "what was that all about?". The gags were thrown out there, but the scenes weren't polished: the bedroom-sharing scene ended on a very lame note. The nude shower scene was obviously intended as a gross-out piece, but that's all it was - disgusting, not funny. Even a mud-wrestling scene provides no satisfaction for the male audience. What was the point of including it, then?
"Since this project is categorized as being in production", I hope that the producers will take the time to reconnect the dots and polish up the scenes. There is potential, here, for a good movie.
Apart from that, one thing the movie managed to do quite well was to totally denigrate the profession of anesthesiology. Now, I'm not a big fan of doctors, but the absolute insult to this medical specialty was sad and unnecessary. I feel truly sorry for them, now.
The best line in the movie is one that sums up the entirety of the experience: "Nothing here makes any sense"
There Was A Time When "National Lampoon" Meant Something.
BigHardcoreRed10 March 2005
National Lampoon's Holiday Reunion is about two cousins in a rather dysfunctional family who do not even remember each other. Since neither cousin has any extended family, they decided to reunite and have Thanksgiving together. Of course, the "normal" family is appalled when they meet their redneck cousins. Sound familiar? Maybe because it is the same plot from National Lampoon's Vacation, only a lot less funny.
Judge Reinhold stars as Dr. Mitch Snider, an anesthesiologist for the stars in California. Bryan Cranston co-stars as Woodrow Snider, the redneck cousin with a big heart but down on his luck. Cousin Eddie.. I mean Cousin Woodrow is also in between a rock and a hard place financially and wants to ask his cousin, Mitch, for $60,000, but for some reason, asks for a kidney instead. I suppose to make Mitch feel sorry for him.
I do not even really have to go into the rest, because if you have seen the other National Lampoon movies up to this point, you know what will happen. Even the formula for Holiday Reunion is the same as Holdiay Vacation. Both families consist of the husband and wife, daughter and son, and of course, the token old guy.
I really hope National Lampoon's gets it's act together because they used to be a great franchise, but lately, I have seen nothing but unoriginality and poor writing, especially for the comedy we have come to expect from them. 3/10
Judge Reinhold stars as Dr. Mitch Snider, an anesthesiologist for the stars in California. Bryan Cranston co-stars as Woodrow Snider, the redneck cousin with a big heart but down on his luck. Cousin Eddie.. I mean Cousin Woodrow is also in between a rock and a hard place financially and wants to ask his cousin, Mitch, for $60,000, but for some reason, asks for a kidney instead. I suppose to make Mitch feel sorry for him.
I do not even really have to go into the rest, because if you have seen the other National Lampoon movies up to this point, you know what will happen. Even the formula for Holiday Reunion is the same as Holdiay Vacation. Both families consist of the husband and wife, daughter and son, and of course, the token old guy.
I really hope National Lampoon's gets it's act together because they used to be a great franchise, but lately, I have seen nothing but unoriginality and poor writing, especially for the comedy we have come to expect from them. 3/10
They should have made it ten years ago!
ashleychica200113 December 2003
I feel that this movie is terrible. None of the parts were funny at all to me. Also, if the movie was set in Idaho, then why there is no snow and why the people are wearing summer clothes? People in Idaho do not wear that stuff during Thanksgiving. Since this movie was filmed in Canada, I feel that the movie should have been filmed in January, instead of warm weather season, or they could have change the location of the movie, where people wear summer stuff during Thanksgiving (like Tennessee or Mississippi or Alabama or Texas (to be filmed in Canada, if that's the case)). Also, I feel that the movie should have been made ten years ago with Chevy Chase. I think that it would have been a good movie with Chevy in there.
Grade: F
Grade: F
total turkey
blackcherryhearts23 November 2003
This movie was as lame as they come. Right in step with all the other straight to video/TV National Lampoon ventures. I tuned in hoping for humor because I enjoyed the works of other members of the cast, specifically Bryan Cranston and Penelope-Ann Miller. I was hoping to see Judge Reinhold in something that might be up to par with his long ago comedies. I think I was also sucked in by the fact that this was from the writers of Vegas Vacation, which despite many others opinions is a National Lampoon movie I very much enjoyed. No such luck. There is none of the trademark N.L.'s wit to this movie. The jokes are dull, beyond low brow, and fall totally flat. This is one movie you won't be sorry you missed.
Waste of TV Time
CanadianBoy697 October 2004
all i gotta say for this movie is that it blows, pointless story line,crappy cast, no laughs, waste of my time and the TV stations, the best part of this movie was the mud wrestling all though it lasted some 5 seconds i love meghan in this movie and i think she was the only bright spot but ya this movie blows i give it a third of a star(only cuz they mud wrestled) out of 5, plz don't watch this movie even if it is the only thing on TV i personally would go to sleep but eh its the best option considering this movie will put u to sleep wut a waste to the national lampoon series damn id rather watch van wilder again at least it had some laughs, o well this is wut the movie world has come to
Where have you gone Chevy Chase?
Alf1after90927 November 2003
My God that's probably the 1st time anyone has ever asked that question. The main problem with this this movie is that it's too long. With commercials its running time is about 2 hours. It's about 1 hour and 58 minutes too long. Were sleeping tablets issued to the cast before filming? The real turkey on Thanksgiving was the film.
Worst movie ever made
gscrl3 August 2019
Do not waste your time with this sorry excuse for a movie. If you find it on VHS for 50 cents pass it up, if it is on TV for free do laundry instead..... a total disgrace to the original National Lampoon movies that are funny and good.
One of the most funniest.
kimbikris21 January 2011
Well, this film is just too funny.The bathroom scene is just funny as hell.Me being a scriptwriter/actor, I'll take a thing or two from this film, for sure. Since, I'm writing a romantic comedy. Actors are great and funny as well.National Lampoon out did themselves with this one.Great job!Also like the girl to girl cat fight scene.It had some similiraties of a that other film called vacation, but this one is a lot more funnier, then that one.This film just has a little bit of all the different flavors of humor, that I enjoy, from Stir Crazy to Cheech And Chong's Still Smokin. Also the various contrasts of characters that help keep the audience viewer waiting for the next humorous big event, just makes you want to watch this gem to the very end.If only all comedy films could learn from this one.
A Warm Family Holiday Film NOt!
Sylviastel4 July 2008
I liked this film with Bryan Cranston as the Hippy poor cousin Woodrow Snider, town outcast, and Judge Reinhold as the straight-laced Los Angeles doctor. Both men have two wives one played by the fabulous under-rated Penelope Ann Miller and the other by Hallie Todd who does a great job as being the straight woman. Mitch wants a family and get together with long lost relatives in Idaho for Thanksgiving, the traditional American holiday. They get invited and are unaware of the Sniders in a small Idaho town. Cranston and Miller have great chemistry as Pauline and Woody versus the doctor and his suburban wife. There are great moments in the film like when they realize that their Idaho relatives are nuts and crazy than eating last year's fruitcake. In their case, they learn a lot about each other from each other. It's kind of a silly, comedic television movie so there is no swearing or inappropriate kinky behavior. I love the actor who plays Uncle Phil. I'm surprised this film didn't get a welcome reception or isn't shown repeatedly on television around Thanksgiving. It's a nice film.
The Most Painful Thanksgiving Special in History
terriblybee24 November 2003
I had the chance of catching this show on television yesterday because my friend's "monster truck" was featured in the made-for-television movie. For me, and my friend, that was the highlight of this horrific production.
I can't tell you how awful this movie was -- but I will try. The script was terrible and the concept was extremely lame. If I had had any choice, I would have watched the first five minutes and then turned it off.
I don't understand how this screenplay made it from an executive's desk to the production floor with people showing confidence in it. Who in their right mind would even fund such a script! I hear some of the National Lampoon's writers are auctioning themselves off on eBay and I can understand why. I would have laid off (*cough, fired*) writers whose only potential was churning out such idiotic tripe.
In a nutshell, National Lampoon is in trouble.
The film's struggle to make people laugh falls flat on its face. The characters are not real, the actor's are not having any fun, and the director didn't know what to do with the material (not that any director would know what to do with it either). Combine that all together and you have a film where you can actually see the director shouting at the audience: LAUGH, DAMMIT!
This formula movie has no reason to exist. Nothing in this film made you care about it. None of the characters were interesting, none of the situations are even close to reality and one knows that careers are in trouble when such garbage hits the screen. Viewing this film will expose you to the following: a stupid plot, Los Angeles dwelling socialites, Idaho living yokels, cell-phone addicted teens, animals with diseases, farting pseudo-uncles, a disregard for gun safety, and my friend's truck.
Anyway, I am tired of writing this review because this film doesn't even deserve to have a review. Just know, it plain sucks. If you like movies and value your time on this planet, save your two hours and watch something else. Maybe, National Lampoon's Vacation, I know it was good.
Oh, my friend's truck was cool. I had the chance of catching this show on television yesterday because my friend's "monster truck" was featured in the made-for-television movie. For me, and my friend, that was the highlight of this horrific production.
In a nutshell, National Lampoon is in trouble.
This formula movie has no reason to exist. Nothing in this film made you care about it. None of the characters were interesting, none of the situations are even close to reality and one knows that careers are in trouble when such garbage hits the screen. Viewing this film will expose you to the following: a stupid plot, Los Angeles dwelling socialites, Idaho living yokels, cell-phone addicted teens, animals with diseases, farting pseudo-uncles, a disregard for gun safety, and my friend's truck.
If you like movies and value your time on this planet, save your two hours and watch something else. Maybe, National Lampoon's Vacation, I know it was good.
Oh, yah. My friend's truck was cool.
I can't tell you how awful this movie was -- but I will try. The script was terrible and the concept was extremely lame. If I had had any choice, I would have watched the first five minutes and then turned it off.
I don't understand how this screenplay made it from an executive's desk to the production floor with people showing confidence in it. Who in their right mind would even fund such a script! I hear some of the National Lampoon's writers are auctioning themselves off on eBay and I can understand why. I would have laid off (*cough, fired*) writers whose only potential was churning out such idiotic tripe.
In a nutshell, National Lampoon is in trouble.
The film's struggle to make people laugh falls flat on its face. The characters are not real, the actor's are not having any fun, and the director didn't know what to do with the material (not that any director would know what to do with it either). Combine that all together and you have a film where you can actually see the director shouting at the audience: LAUGH, DAMMIT!
This formula movie has no reason to exist. Nothing in this film made you care about it. None of the characters were interesting, none of the situations are even close to reality and one knows that careers are in trouble when such garbage hits the screen. Viewing this film will expose you to the following: a stupid plot, Los Angeles dwelling socialites, Idaho living yokels, cell-phone addicted teens, animals with diseases, farting pseudo-uncles, a disregard for gun safety, and my friend's truck.
Anyway, I am tired of writing this review because this film doesn't even deserve to have a review. Just know, it plain sucks. If you like movies and value your time on this planet, save your two hours and watch something else. Maybe, National Lampoon's Vacation, I know it was good.
Oh, my friend's truck was cool. I had the chance of catching this show on television yesterday because my friend's "monster truck" was featured in the made-for-television movie. For me, and my friend, that was the highlight of this horrific production.
In a nutshell, National Lampoon is in trouble.
This formula movie has no reason to exist. Nothing in this film made you care about it. None of the characters were interesting, none of the situations are even close to reality and one knows that careers are in trouble when such garbage hits the screen. Viewing this film will expose you to the following: a stupid plot, Los Angeles dwelling socialites, Idaho living yokels, cell-phone addicted teens, animals with diseases, farting pseudo-uncles, a disregard for gun safety, and my friend's truck.
If you like movies and value your time on this planet, save your two hours and watch something else. Maybe, National Lampoon's Vacation, I know it was good.
Oh, yah. My friend's truck was cool.
Funny holiday movie!!!
novastar_65 November 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Of all the National Lampoon movies this is definitely among the best. Mitch Snider, anesthesiologist, and his rich unappreciative family are in for the surprise of their lives when a letter arrives from long lost cousin Woodrow Snider. Woody invites his family to celebrate Thanksgiving with his family, and Mitch, longing for a true family celebration, is game and drags his reluctant family along with him. Mitch's expectations are far from what he gets when they arrive and find their cousins are hippies with a crazy son and a goth daughter. Their yard is a washing machine graveyard and their meals depend on which animal passes away first, and for Thanksgiving dinner, Woody and his wife Pauline are anxiously awaiting their TB ridden turkey to pass. Mitch and his wife Jill quickly become uncomfortable with many other things on their visit, including having to share a bedroom with a very intimate and freaky Woody and Pauline. Overall a very funny movie that can help you feel grateful at Thanksgiving for the simple fact that you're not related to this crazy family. 10 out of 10 stars.
National Lampoon was full of stuffing this time 'round!
boycebrown-115 December 2003
The whole plot is continuously contredicting itself. First of all, what was with those kids? I couldn't stand that little snob Allison whom had no acting talent whatsoever(reminds me of Paris Hilton). Then there was the pointless characters of the two younger siblings because they didn't do anything. Then Twig contredicts herself near the end by befriending that witch and going out with that ugly guy. The adults make no sense because "Woody" said he beleives in karma AND a good ass kicking. The two contredict themselves completely! The wife always seemed to stay by her man and loving him, even having sex with him in front of their guests! But in some odd scenes she's telling her husband that if he doesn't ask his cousin for money she'll leave him. What's with that?The rich woman was too flakey, and easily persuaded into things. then there was Uncle Phil who was just grotesque! If you want a flick that looks great on the promos but is a real turkey in general(no pun intended)watch this excuse for a National Lampoon.
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