“Johnson Family Vacation” was a movie I was sure I’d like since I really enjoy both Cedric the Entertainer and Steve Harvey as both comedians and comic actors. Plus there was the added factor of the film being a glorified ‘road’ picture akin to the old Nation Lampoon “Vacation” films. Besides, nothing is funnier than making fun of the family unit. I still remember going to see “Christmas Vacation” and hearing my good (and somewhat inebriated friend) yell out, “That’s my family up there!!” during the Christmas dinner scene. (By the way, I do not condone going to a movie theatre while your three sheets to the wind, or yelling out in the auditorium. This was one of the only times the situation was actually funny…) In “Johnson Family Vacation”, Cedric the Entertainer (which must look really funny on his Driver’s license) plays Nate Johnson, a fairly normal guy who wants to take his family to a family reunion.

Not that his intentions are entirely noble as he also wishes to beat out his older brother Mack (Steve Harvey) for the ‘Family of the Year’ trophy given out at the function. It seems that Mack has yet to relinquish the trophy, and Nate feels it’s been long enough.

Most of the film takes place on the road, and the Johnsons get themselves into one wacky situation after another, even dealing with the requisite hitchhiker (played by the ever delicious Shannon Elizabeth), but somehow it falls short of being as funny as it could have been There are some good moments, to be sure, but as a whole it just seems to fall flat most of the time. Part of the problem, I feel, is that Cedric is at his funniest when he’s playing himself. He’s a talented and funny guy, but when he tries to ‘act’, it just doesn’t work. He really should have just done what he does naturally.

The DVD includes quite a few extra features, many more than I would have expected. Not content to have just one commentary, there are two. The first is by Cedric and Bow Bow (formerly Lil Bow Wow), who plays his son in the film. They are joined by the director, Christopher Erskin and producer Eric C. Rhone. This is a fairly good commentary, mostly from the standpoint that again, Cedric gets to be himself. While listening I was trying to tell if they were happy with the finished product, or just trying to sound like they were, but ultimately couldn’t tell. The second commentary is from the writers, Todd R. Jones and Earl Richey Jones.

You’ll also find several deleted and extended scenes. There really weren’t any that I could see that would have added anything to the film, but be sure to watch them with the optional commentary. This is followed by a Behind the Scenes featurette and (oddly enough) a Public Service Announcement from the National Office of Drug Control.

Despite some of the film’s low points, there are still some laughs to be gotten from “Johnson Family Vacation”, just don’t set your expectations too high.

Directed by: Christopher Erskin
Starring: Cedric the Entertainer, Bow Wow, Vanessa Williams, Shannon Elizabeth, Steve Harvey
Extras: Audio Commentary by Cedric the Entertainer, Bow Wow, Director Christopher Eskin and Producer Eric C. Rhone, Commentary by Writers Todd R. Jones and Earl Richey Jones, Deleted Scenes and Outtakes with Optional Director’s Commentary, Making of Featurettes
Specifications: Widescreen / Full Screen, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Studio: 20th Century Fox Home Video
Release Date: 8/10/2004
Region 1
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for Some Sexual References, Crude Humor and Brief Drug Material)
Website

We'll give Johnson Family Vacation a C.