Johnson Family Vacation (2004)

5% of critics liked it
(91 reviews)
59% of users liked it
(37,530 ratings)

Comedian Cedric the Entertainer serves as both producer and star of this comedy about a family who discovers just how much can go wrong en route to a family get-together. When Nate Johnson (Cedric the Entertainer) is invited to a big family reunion in Missouri, he sees it as an opportunity to… More Comedian Cedric the Entertainer serves as both producer and star of this comedy about a family who discovers just how much can go wrong en route to a family get-together. When Nate Johnson (Cedric the Entertainer) is invited to a big family reunion in Missouri, he sees it as an opportunity to reconnect with his estranged wife and growing children, as well as a chance to show up his wealthier know-it-all brother, Mack (Steve Harvey). Nate takes delivery on an expensive new SUV, persuades his recently separated wife, Dorothy (Vanessa L. Williams), to tag along, and packs up his three kids -- nubile teenager Nikki (Solange Knowles), under-age wannabe rapper D.J. (Bow Wow), and precocious seven-year-old Destiny (Gabby Soleil) -- for what he imagines will be a leisurely drive from Los Angeles to St. Louis. However, between his wary wife, arguing kids, angry police officers, bizarre hitchhikers, bad diner food, and an unfortunate run-in with a cement mixer, getting from point A to point B proves to be just short of a nightmare. Johnson Family Vacation was the first feature film for director Christopher Erskin, who previously distinguished himself directing music videos for the likes of Missy Elliot, TLC, and Boyz II Men. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 37 min.
Directed By: Christopher Erskin
Written By: Todd R. Jones, Earl Richey Jones
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Apr 7, 2004 Wide
On DVD: Aug 10, 2004
Studio: Fox Searchlight Pictures

Critic Reviews

J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader
This is a real mess, with out-of-focus shots and continuity lapses that suggest a production in chaos.
David Germain, Associated Press
Packing all the tired trappings of the raunchy road-trip genre, this loutish comedy plays out as a loosely threaded collection of shrill jokes and cliched sight gags.
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com
The direction on Johnson Family Vacation is numbingly slack; the synapses between the scenes don't spark effortlessly, as they should, and the whole enterprise feels dragged-down and belabored.
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
Big disappointment.
Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post
Single-handedly saving a movie may be a tall order for a short-legged clown, but Cedric the Entertainer is the best (and probably only) reason to take this Vacation.
Susan Walker, Toronto Star
This family vacation runs out of gas long before its destination.
Beth Pratt, Common Sense Media
This charmless movie not for children.
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com
Mechanical performances by Vanessa Williams and Bow Wow, as Nate's musically inclined son, impair Cedric's earnest comedic efforts in this spasmodic comedy.
Mark Halverson, Sacramento News & Review
Several laugh-out-loud moments are scattered throughout this otherwise dumb-and-gets-even-dumber African-American road trip.
Garth Franklin, Dark Horizons
This is one road trip that should've ended in a ditch.
JoBlo, JoBlo's Movie Emporium
I really wanted to like this movie, especially since I'm a fan of Cedric the Entertainer.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...Cedric the Entertainer simply cannot act.
Ethan Alter, Film Journal International
Too many jokes fall flat and a number of promising set-ups ... wind up going nowhere.
Bill Chambers, Film Freak Central
We can only generously call it a pale imitation of National Lampoon's Vacation
Stephen Himes, Film Snobs
Find one stereotype and stick to it. Don't confuse the audience by trying to be Wayne Brady and Bernie Mac in the same movie.
Kamal 'The Diva' Larsuel, 3BlackChicks Review
It really wasn't as funny as it could of been or should have been.
Sean Burns, Philadelphia Weekly
Eighties nostalgia has seeped so far into our pop-cultural landscape, it's starting to feel like VH1 took over the movie studios.
M. K. Terrell, Christian Science Monitor
Family of Five in Search of a Script might be a better title, but this road picture gets better as it goes along, and the upbeat ending redeems it considerably.
Jeffrey Lyles, Gazette (MD)
For a cast of unknowns, this would have been a nice introduction to some up and coming stars but with veterans like Cedric, Harvey and Williams, something seemed lacking.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
A shambles like this just oozes contempt for both its performers and its audience -- something that's even more unfunny than the movie itself.

Read all 20 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Andrew F

It was pretty stupid. I don't like that Cedric the Entertainer guy (what a stupid name!).
George K

Fun movie...but still like National Lampoon's Vacation a whole lot better. Instead of going to Wally World...the Johnson family heads to a family reunion in Missouri. Of course, the road trip runs into many obstacles and pot holes. Cedric the Entertainer always makes me laugh.… More
Fun movie...but still like National Lampoon's Vacation a whole lot better. Instead of going to Wally World...the Johnson family heads to a family reunion in Missouri. Of course, the road trip runs into many obstacles and pot holes. Cedric the Entertainer always makes me laugh. Bow Wow was decent. And yes...Solange Knowles totally looks like Beyonce. Vanessa Williams still gets me going!
Leo L

Hilarious!

Cast

            Cedric the Entertainer as Nate Johnson

            Vanessa L. Williams as Dorothy Johnson

            Solange Knowles as Nikki Johnson

            Bow Wow as D.J. Johnson

            Gabby Soleil as Destiny Johnson

            Shannon Elizabeth as Chrishelle

            Steve Harvey as Mack Johnson

            Aloma Wright as Glorietta Johnson

            Lee Garlington as Betty Sue

            Shari Headley as Jacqueline

            Lorna Scott as Gladys

            Chris Hardwick as Arson Investigator

            Masasa as Theta #1

            Jonathan Joss as Casino Host

            Godfrey as Motorcycle Cop

            Jennifer Freeman as Jill

            Kurupt as Kurupt

            DeRay Davis as Jamaican Stoner

            Jason Momoa as Navarro

            Tanjareen Martin as Tangerine

            Kevin Farley as Stall Guy

            Philip Daniel Bolden as Mack Jr.

            Chana Ylahne Orr as Theta #2

            Lichelli Lazar-Lea as Navi Computer Voice

            Christopher B. Duncan as Stan

            Shane Woodson as Angus

            Gabriel Corbin as Dancer #1/"Mack Johnson"

            Tracie Burton as Dancer #2/"Jacqueline"

            Katerina Graham as Dancer #3/"Jill"

            Jamil Morgan as Dancer#4/"Mack Jr."

            Jeremiah "J.J." Williams Jr. as Cousin Bodie

            Rodney Perry as Cousin Lump

            Jennifer Nicole
            
            Lil Bow Wow
            
See full cast