Writer: Geoff Rodkey (Screenplay)
Starring: Robin Williams, Cheryl Hines, Joanna ‘Jojo’ Levesque, Josh Hutcherson, Jeff Daniels, Kristin Chenoweth
Plot: Bob Munro and his dysfunctional family rent an RV for a road trip to the Colorado Rockies, where they ultimately have to contend with a bizarre community of campers.
Tagline – One family. Eight wheels. No brakes.
Runtime: 1 Hour 39 Minutes
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Serviceable Comedy
Story: R.V.: Runaway Vacation starts as businessman Bob (Williams) is facing the reality of seeing his kids about to start preparing for their next steps in life, he decides to cancel their Hawaii vacation to take them across country in an RV. Bob must convince his wife Jamie (Hines) and children Cassie (JoJo) and Carl (Hutcherson) this trip is going to be good.
As their journey continues we get the usual series of mishaps along the way as Bob is fighting to keep his job by secretly doing his work while the others sleep, just what else can happen in the family’s adventure.
Thoughts on R.V.: Runaway Vacation
Characters – Bob Munro is an officer worker always on his boss’s good side, his family is growing up and about to move on with their lives and he decides to take them on a cross country trip to keep his job. Jamie is his wife that isn’t happy about losing the Hawaii vacation but understands he wants to spend time with his family. Cassie and Carl are the children with their own growing up problems that Bob has been ignoring for the most part.
Performances – Robin Williams is the main star of the movie, he gets to do a watered-down version of his comedy which is serviceable for the film. Going into the supporting cast we don’t get too much that stands out as most of them are playing off what Williams does.
Story – The story follows a family vacation in an RV which takes them on a series of unfortunate events. The story does feel weak for the family growing dynamic because too much of the movie is focused on the father’s problems rather then looking at how the family needs to come together. This will pass as a comedy level story which is fine and never becomes the importance a lighter comedy could achieve.
Comedy/Family – The comedy is hit or miss, it is mostly material we have seen before and even with Williams in the leading role, it doesn’t always hit.
Settings – The film takes us across parts of America which is fine, we get the beauty spots in certain places.
Scene of the Movie – The reason why the trip happens.
That Moment That Annoyed Me – The weakness of the comedy.
Final Thoughts – This isn’t the best comedy, it has moments but in the end it will become one that you do end up forgetting.
Overall: Forgettable comedy for the most part.
Rating