I love the films opening sequence. The music really lightens the mood. The opening scene is shot in black and white which makes the film really pop the moment it splashes color in Palm Springs.

I liken this to "The Last American Virgin". "Fraternity Vacation" tells us all we thought we needed to know from the cover, but then something rather strange happens.

The film takes-on some 'rather serious' themes. All the gratuitous nudity(as well as most of the partying theme) takes a back seat for the last half of the film. That's the one characteristic that makes this stand out in this genre.

Of course there's some issues with the acting. Stephen Geoffreys(Wendell) is good, Cameron Dye(Joe) is passable, and Tim Robbins as "Mother Tucker" does an alright job. Sheree Wilson is o.k., but Amanda Bearse's performance is a bit rigid.

Bearse is the annoying rich-daddy's girl, but she is a bit too over-the-top with it. Easily the worst performance in the film. Wilson is the mature 'mark', but her character could have used some more dialog.

Kathleen Kinmont and Barbara Crampton are perfectly cast in smaller roles, but are unfortunately left out of much of the last half of the film.

The film wraps up in the same manner as most of these films - with the leads being put in jail, and some mad father figure on the loose.

The sights and sounds of the films first hour make it worthwhile, and it's themes are surprisingly serious, but this is still an 80's boob comedy that is a dish best served with a cold beer and a grain of salt.

I do consider this to be quite a bit better than most of the films in this genre, which isn't saying much, but if you're going to re-live one of these, this is a decent option.

You might Like this if you liked: Spring Break(not as good as this), Private Resort(about even), or Hardbodies(not as good).

59/100

Some of these films stand out more so than others, but this mid 80s college / teenage sex comedy attempt "Fraternity Vacation" doesn't do a whole to stay in one's memory when compared to most of these type of films. Little is talked about it, as for most part it's rather uninspired and tame, outside the best cheeky sequence involving Barbra Crampton and Kathleen Kilmont getting their kits off. Instead the raunchiness that could have erupted tended to focus more so being soft- hearted led by its charmingly gawky and honest performance by Stephen Geoffrey's. Along for the summer time fun in Palm Springs is some familiar faces with a great ensemble cast in Tim Robbins, Cameron Dye, Sheree J. Wilson (who simply looks gorgeous), Amanda Bearse, Matt McCoy and the rib-tickling John Vernon as the town's stringent sheriff. The jokes are familiar and the scenarios predictable in its premise of the frog getting his princess, but the script is witty enough, pacing moves at a fast clip and the cast etch out amusing performances.

"We do everything together."

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)