The Great Outdoors
By Renee Schonfeld,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Good cast can't help lame man vs. nature farce.
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What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
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The Great Outdoors
Community Reviews
Based on 8 parent reviews
Funny Movie
Would be PG-13 in todays standards
What's the Story?
The Ripleys set off on an idyllic family vacation in the Midwest woods. Their plans for bonding with each other and communing with nature are immediately halted by the arrival of the Craigs, their rich in-laws who are disdainful of the beautiful outdoors and, in the case of Mr. Craig, have an ulterior motive for the surprise visit. What follows is a series of mishaps and misadventures as the wholesome Ripleys conflict with the materialistic, clueless Craigs. The entire group faces multiple mini-catastrophes, including angry bears, runaway power boats, leeches, lost kids, wise-cracking raccoons, a slapdash teen romance, and mounting family dissension.
Is It Any Good?
This movie has little character development, even less resolution, and an almost non-existent plot. THE GREAT OUTDOORS is basically a series of skits and would-be comic confrontations between American middle class values, represented by Chet and Connie Ripley (John Candy and Stephanie Faracy trying very hard to make the most of ridiculous situations and dialogue) and the arrogance of the rich, as portrayed by the Craigs (Dan Aykroyd, almost manic in his efforts to find some humor, and Annette Bening, who mugs a lot in an early career misfire). Unfortunately, the skits go nowhere; they just end so that the viewer can move on to the next chaotic event. The subtitled dialogue of marauding raccoons between scenes is the only glue that holds this mostly unfunny effort scripted by the usually talented John Hughes together.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
How is the movie like a cartoon even though it's a live-action movie made with real people? What are some of the elements you expect in animation that the filmmakers have used here?
Why do you think the movie chose to exaggerate and change authentic bear behavior? How do real bears differ from those seen in this film?
Does anyone get hurt in this movie? Are there things that happen here that would usually hurt and/or injure a real human being?
Movie Details
- In theaters: June 17, 1988
- On DVD or streaming: July 1, 1998
- Cast: Annette Bening , Dan Aykroyd , John Candy
- Director: Howard Deutch
- Inclusion Information: Female actors
- Studio: Universal Pictures
- Genre: Comedy
- Topics: Wild Animals
- Run time: 91 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG
- Last updated: October 8, 2022
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