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The Great Outdoors
1988 91 min United States of America PG 16+
★5.9
Comedy
Director: Howard Deutch
Trailers
Description
It's vacation time for outdoorsy Chicago man Chet Ripley, along with his wife, Connie, and their two kids, Buck and Ben. But a serene weekend of fishing at a Wisconsin lakeside cabin gets crashed by Connie's obnoxious brother-in-law, Roman Craig, his wife, Kate, and the couple's two daughters. As the excursion wears on, the Ripleys find themselves at odds with the stuffy Craig family.
Budget:
$24M
US Gross:
$41.46M
Worldwide:
$43.46M
Starring
Dan Aykroyd
Actor
John Candy
Actor
Stephanie Faracy
Actor
Key opinion
The Great Outdoors is widely viewed as a cozy, nostalgic 80s family comedy anchored by the comedic chemistry between John Candy and Dan Aykroyd. While some critics find the script formulaic and inferior to other John Hughes projects, most audiences appreciate its lighthearted humor and charming, simple spirit.
| Acting | The comedic chemistry between John Candy and Dan Aykroyd serves as the film's primary strength, with their contrasting personalities driving the narrative. | |
| Humor | The iconic water-skiing and bear-related physical comedy sequences remain the film's most memorable and effective highlights. | |
| Cinematography | The cinematography effectively captures the scenic, inviting beauty of the North American wilderness. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay is viewed as a divisive effort; some appreciate its heartwarming, clean family themes, while others feel it relies on recycled tropes and thin material. |