By Margaret A. McGurk
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Johnson Family Vacation is a tale that has been told before - specifically, in National Lampoon's Vacation and its many silly spin-offs.

MOVIE REVIEW

Johnson Family Vacation 6 stars (out of 10) (PG-13; some sexual references, crude humor, brief drug material) Cedric the Entertainer, Vanessa L. Williams, Bow Wow. Directed by Christopher Erskin. 95 minutes. AMC Newport, Cinema 10, National Amusements, Rave West Chester

Though unaffiliated with National Lampoon or Chevy Chase, the new movie does recapture some of the goofball appeal of the earlier films. What they share most is a deep appreciation for how bizarre, dysfunctional and entertaining even loving families can be.

In this new edition, the story centers on uptight Nate Johnson (Cedric the Entertainer), who is determined to take his brood to the annual family reunion, despite his crumbling marriage. As if reunions weren't stressful enough, the Johnsons make theirs a competition, complete with a "family of the year" trophy. And Nate wants that trophy.

His estranged wife (Vanessa L. Williams) goes along with the ruse because, well, otherwise there would be no movie. Happily, Williams is a charming actress who makes this improbable situation seem almost realistic.

The road trip back home gives Nate ample opportunity to tangle with his son (Bow Wow) about rap music ("You need a condom to listen to it!"), with his teen daughter (Solange Knowles) about her cell-phone use and with his little girl (Gabby Soleil) over her imaginary but demanding pet dog.

Things get seriously complicated after Nate insists on picking up a weird hitchhiker (Shannon Elizabeth). By the time they reach the reunion, the Johnsons are broke, in trouble with the law and riding in a ruined vehicle.

That's when Nate must tangle with his brother (Steve Harvey), who is not above bribery to hold onto his place as mom's favorite son.

Johnson Family Vacation is saddled with fits of tedium and cliche, but overall, director Christopher Erskin and writers Todd R. Jones and Earl Richey Jones have turned out a high-spirited and affectionate salute to the chronic madness that only relatives can induce.

E-mail mmcgurk@enquirer.com