A nerd (Stephen Geoffrey's) befriends his two frat brothers when his father offers them his condo for a week in beautiful Palm Springs. He also offers other benefits if they can manage to help his son score a girl. There is only one problem. They run into two guys from a rival fraternity and make bets they ultimately wind up regretting. What's with the deceivingly low rating? It's not a great film or anything, but for a time period where sex comedies were coming out left and right, I felt this was actually a fairly amusing film. It has everything I adored about the 80's; sex, boobs, great looking woman, goofy gags, and hilarious characters that want nothing but sex. Nothing took itself all that seriously for the most part and why should it? It knows what it is, and it knows it's target audience. Lighten up guys. I got quite a few laughs from the utterly likable Stephen Geoffreys. He made the perfect underdog in this film as the lovable geek. Many people may know him as Evil Ed from Fright Night, but this performance was a lot of fun as well. I'm not saying it belongs there, just that it was fun. Every sex comedy needs a hero we can empathize with while we embark on a journey with him. Stephen Geoffrey's was the perfect hero. Tim Robbins (Yes. THE Tim Robbins) seemed to be having a blast, and I had fun watching him. I don't think he looks back at this movie fondly, though. Sheree J. Wilson plays the role of the object of every man's desire adequately. Amanda Bearse is fun as the lying, scheming love interest of Geoffrey's, whilst John Vernon is a hoot as the overly protective dad. Final Thoughts: 4.2… Really? It deserves to be at least in the mid 5's guys. I really don't know what people expect when it comes to movies sometimes. What did they honestly think they were gonna see when they pulled the trigger on watching this? It's a fun movie with some goofy laughs, and sometimes that's just what I need.6/10

I wouldn't say this was the best movie ever made, but it is highly watchable. Basic plot: Tim Robbins ("Shawshank Redemption") and Cameron Dye (...don't really know) go on a free-ride vacation to Palm Springs with nerdy frat pledge Stephen Geoffreys ("Evil Ed from "Fright Night") in the hopes of partying and getting laid. Meet Hot Chick, check. Meet rival frat boys, check. The 'bet' about who gets to nail Hot Chick first, check. Boobs and beer, check. Feel-good ending where everyone becomes friends, check. Typical 80's Sex Comedy Formula.Good points: Seeing Tim Robbins before he made it big was interesting. The Hot Chick wasn't the stereotypical dumb bimbo, also refreshing. Lastly, Stephen Geoffreys was adorable as the good-hearted nerd Wendell. Always had a soft spot for that actor; he plays downtrodden nerds/geeks/dorks with such verve. All the more surreal when you think about his future career in, erm, adult cinema...not that there's anything wrong with it! (couldn't help the "Seinfeld" reference there!)Bad points: the MUSIC! I know 80's cheese is 80's cheese, but this was particularly bad. Shocking that it was Brad Fiedel that did the music for this movie, when you compare to his later work in "Fright Night" and the first 2(or 3?) "Terminator" movies. Truly iconic scores in those flicks...

I'm prime form, "Fraternity Vacation" proves to be the sleeper knockout shot of the mid-80's. Unlike other fraternity movies, "Fraternity Vacation" provides us with a slightly darker, more intimate side of the party animal lifestyle. I would compare this introspective comedy to classics such as "M.A.S.H." of even the great "Annie Hall" (blasphomy!). I make these comparisons based on the fact that "Fraternity Vacation" digs a little deeper into the motives and psyche of the frat boy. Why do they behave this way? How do their actions reflect youth culture as a whole? At what point will fun turn into consequences? These are all questions that "Fraternity Vacation" attempts to answerer. It sometimes gets a little to deep to the point where it gives the film a gritty feel, but it always maintains a lofty, fun vibe that carries through out the movie. With the Academy Award winning acting caliber of Tim Robbins behind it, "Fraternity Vacation" has the ability to make the viewer laugh and think at the same time.

Trivial, surprisingly tame and unsurprisingly moronic sex comedy, a typical product of the 80's. One of those insignificant little pictures that are not worth seeking out to see, but are good-natured enough to be pretty painless experiences if you actually find yourself watching them. Not exactly the kind of movie you expect to see Tim Robbins starring in, but I guess he really needed the work. (*1/2)