American Adventure

National Lampoon's American Adventure follows an older, more laid-back version of Clark Griswold from the previous National Lampoon's Vacation films. Clark is living the quiet life, married to Ellen and now the grandfather of Rusty and Audrey. As they grow older, he begins reminiscing about his previous family adventures. However, their relaxed summer routine is disrupted when Rusty and Audrey express their desire to relive some of Clark's most memorable childhood experiences, much like he did with Rusty when he was younger. Clark starts off slow, struggling to recreate those classic events. Nonetheless, he eventually decides to take a leap of faith and embark on a road trip to recreate some of his most spectacular memories. The first memory Clark wishes to recreate is the one where he went fishing in Yosemite. As they arrive at the picturesque Yosemite, Clark and the family decide to relive this adventure, replete with the same camping gear, fishing rods, and fishing boat. To their dismay, they arrive to discover that the serene surroundings they once knew now boast numerous tourists, camping restrictions, and an abundance of souvenir shops. Next, the family heads to the iconic Grand Canyon. This is a moment Clark reminisced about fondly with Rusty in Vacation. This time, they aim to relive it with Audrey. Clark tries to recreate his and Rusty's Grand Canyon adventure, but his nostalgia fails him when Audrey's attention span is short-lived, preferring instant gratification to the long, drawn-out journey that Clark cherishes. Clark then decides to recreate a fun camping trip at Yellowstone, recreating memories Clark and Jerry Stiller shared on the original film. Clark tries to re-emulate the exact same experience for Rusty and Audrey, which eventually ends in disappointment after they get caught by park rangers for having a fire in a non-designated campsite. Clark's final goal is to visit a 'real' Old West town to replicate a pivotal childhood family vacation Clark took as a kid. As they arrive, Clark discovers they have to recreate it in an area which now is a crowded theme park instead of a quaint, peaceful town. Upon discovering this Clark's frustration is evident as it feels like no place on earth can replicate the original memories. However, through his journey with his family he starts to realize that the memories themselves might not be the most significant part of the adventure. Clark eventually comes to realize that the memories are not the experiences themselves but the bond he shared with his family while creating these experiences. The film culminates in a heartfelt message as Clark tells his family that even though they couldn't recreate the exact same memories as when he was young, the time spent creating these new recollections together has forged stronger bonds within them. Clark and his family learn a poignant lesson that it is the time spent together that truly makes the memory, regardless of the destination. They also gain appreciation for the new adventures they created together along the way. As Clark looks at his family, Ellen interjecting her opinion once more, and they all smile – the story of the family, as well as the journey Clark himself had taken, concludes on a more positive note.