JOHNSON FAMILY VACATION

Year: 2004
USA: Fox Searchlight
Cast: Cedric the Entertainer, Bow Wow, Vanessa L Williams, Solange Knowles, Shannon Elizabeth, Steve Harvey, Jennifer Nicole, Philip Bolden, Rob Derry, Godfrey, Chris Hardwick, Shari Headley, Tanjareen Martin, Masasa, Lorna Scott, Gabby Soleil, Aloma Wright
Director: Christopher Erskin
Country: USA
USA Rated: PG-13 for some sexual references, crude humor and brief drug material
UK Certificate: 12
USA Release Date: 7 April 2004
UK Release Date: 31 January 2005

Synopsis

Nate Johnson (Cedric, Ice Age, Intolerable Cruelty) is a loving family man, who just can't seem to get it right! He has separated from his wife Dorothy (Williams, Shaft, Soul Food) who lives down the street with his three great kids; Nikki (Solange Knowles) a fashion conscious teenager who loves her mobile phone, DJ (Bow Wow, Like Mike) a wannabe hip-hop rapper and little Destiny (Gabby Soleil) who devotes most of her time to her imaginary dog.

The time of year has come for the infamous annual Johnson family reunion. Determined to beat his competitive and egotistical brother to win the 'Family of the Year' trophy, Nate piles his reluctant family into his brand new Lincoln Navigator to set off on the road to Missouri to Grandma Johnson's house. The trip will involve 3 days on the road and with only each other for company, it's going to be a long journey!

Desperate to get his family back together, Nate seizes the opportunity and sets out to woo Dorothy back with a series of romantic gestures... all of which backfire with hilarious results! Events take a turn for the worse when the family pick up the lonely, hitchhiking temptress, Chriselle (Shannon Elizabeth, American Pie, Scary Movie) who takes a shine to Nate. However, when she reveals herself to be a black magic priestess, the family are forced to leave her at a motel and sneak off without her!

Already down on their luck, the Johnsons then face an obsessive admirer of Dorothy's following them across the country and trying to force them off the road with his enormous 18-wheeler truck, while an unfortunate incident with a police officer lands them all in police custody! When they then run out of petrol in the middle-of-nowhere, Nate wonders if it will all be worth it...

As they finally arrive is Missouri, the reunion is in full swing. With games and contests to test them as a family, will this year be the year for Nate to claim victory over his brother? Or will his broken family be his downfall?

Anyone who's ever piled into the car dreaming of a great vacation only to drive off into an out-of-control disaster-prone, family trip gone south will identify with the outrageous fun and comedy of the JOHNSON FAMILY VACATION. Forget AAA, because even they can't help the roadside emergency that results when the Johnson family hit the road.

JOHNSON FAMILY VACATION marks the film debut of director Christopher Erskin who previously helmed videos for acts such as TLC, Missy Elliot and Boyz II Men.

DVD EXTRAS

Language: English
Subtitles: For the hearing impaired