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Hyundai Holidays Ad Rips Off Classic “Christmas Vacation” Scene

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Christmas Vacation Hyundai Holidays  Elantra Commercial

Photo: Hyundai USA via YouTube

Christmas is a time for dusting off those old movies we watch once a year and reliving our go-to favorites. Perhaps the holidays remind you of Bedford Falls, or wishing for a Red Ryder BB Gun, or sympathizing with Ebeneezer Scrooge.

Regardless, one classic film that has captured arguably the most iconic memories of the holiday season is National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. From the sledding to the awkward relatives, the meal, the gifts, and the sexual fantasies, Clark Griswold illustrates what Christmas is really like for us all.

We’ve seen the movie parodied a hundred times since its release in 1989, and it’s sadly getting to the point where imitations are becoming weak and phoned in.

Such is the case with the Hyundai Holidays ad for the 2015 Hyundai Elantra. While it’s a good car, its commercial leaves you shrugging, “Eh, humbug.”

 

Hyundai Holidays Ad Tries to Capitalize on Love of National Lampoon

The Hyundai Holidays commercial begins with a seemingly well-meaning suburban homeowner who plugs his Christmas lights into a crowded power strip…

Christmas Vacation Hyundai Holidays  Elantra Commercial

Man.
Photo: Hyundai USA via YouTube

Which illuminates the excessive amount of Christmas lights and decorations he  worked quite hard to assemble…

Christmas Vacation Hyundai Holidays  Elantra Commercial

Lights.
Photo: Hyundai USA via YouTube

But, after a frayed wire pops and sizzles, results in a fiery cacophony of sparks, flames, and general chaos (including an elf getting launched into the air)…

Christmas Vacation Hyundai Holidays  Elantra Commercial

Explosion.
Photo: Hyundai USA via YouTube

Kind of reminds you of a similar scene from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, doesn’t it? The one when Clark Griswold spends all night stringing his house with lights…

Christmas Vacation 1

Man.
Source: Warner Bros.

Resulting in the brightest Christmas light display on the block…

Christmas Vacation 3

Lights.
Source: Warner Bros.

It’s a proud moment for the Giswolds, but don’t forget the closing scene of the movie…

Christmas Vacation 2

Explosion.
Source: Warner Bros.

The only real difference is that National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation A) is funny and B) doesn’t have Demi Moore’s sister making a bizarre face as she slowly drives by her neighbor’s burning house.

Christmas Vacation 9

Of all the faces to make in this situation, what is this one?
Photo: Hyundai USA via YouTube

The message of the Hyundai Holidays commercial is that “some things fall short on quality,” such as old Christmas decorations that catch fire, but the Hyundai Elantra doesn’t fall short. Its win of the JD Power Award for Initial Quality  is mentioned, as are the automaker’s December deals. That’s all good information, but it’s overshadowed by a lazy opening vignette.

Honestly, the commercial-makers could have at least had a squirrel jump out of the back seat of the Elantra.

Christmas Vacation 4

Good thing that Hyundai’s cars are better than its Christmas commercials!

Watch the commercial for yourself and let’s hope the upcoming National Lampoon’s Vacation reboot is better than this: