See more movie reviews

The Great Outdoors (PG, 1988)

common sense media says

Good cast can't help lame man vs. nature farce.

parents & educators say
See all 4 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that numerous scenes with images of bears on the attack, fangs, and teeth bared (no matter how unrealistically and amateurishly these sequences have been filmed), as well as frequent use of potty language (lots of "ass," "s--t" in various forms) and swearing make this comedy inappropriate and potentially frightening for the youngest kids. There is also a scary dog; scenes in which two young children are lost and trapped in an underground tunnel; "ghost" stories about dangerous bears (with fantasy flashbacks) designed to frighten the kids in the story. Sexuality includes a silly foreplay scene in which a husband partially undresses his wife as they cuddle, only to get caught when another family arrives unannounced. There are some teen kisses, drinking, and some smoking (including teens).

Positive messages: The importance of family togetherness and open communication is stressed in dialogue (though not necessarily realized in the story). Materialism leads to selfishness and lack of joy.  In one scene a leading character orders a drink by saying "I'm driving. Club soda for me."  (Note: While the movie preaches nature's beauty and wonder, it shows it as mostly frightening and unwelcoming.)
Positive role models: Father-son relationship is admirable. Good parenting is exhibited by responsible, caring Ripleys; bad parenting is illustrated by the disinterested, self-involved Craigs. Teen boy and girl find romance in an admirable way.
Violence: Lots of cartoonish, slapstick violence involving a scary dog with bared teeth; numerous shots and sequences of bears with fangs, bared teeth, chasing and threatening the families. Father tells a scary story about a bear with a taste for blood attacking people in a mental hospital, and a story with flashbacks about his own encounter with a "vicious" bear. Two children get trapped in a well with bears threatening. One punch to the face.
Sex: Silly, exaggerated cuddling and sexual repartee between a husband and wife, which ends with visual of wife beginning to undress; her bare back is shown.  A few romantic kisses between a teen boy and girl. One shot of a girl being "goosed" by a pool cue.
Language: Frequent mild cursing and use of potty language: "s--t,"  "asshole," "butthead," "sonofabitch," "bastard,"  "Jesus Christ," "dick," etc.
Consumerism: Leinenkugel Beer, Kidder skis, Point Beer.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Some casual drinking at meals, during leisure moments, and in a bar. Smoking in numerous scenes, including one teen shown with a cigarette, reflecting values when this film was made in 1988.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on The Great Outdoors

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • 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?

What's the story?

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?

Is it any good?
 
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. There's little character development, even less resolution, and an almost non-existent plot. The sub-titled dialogue of marauding raccoons between scenes is the only glue that holds this mostly unfunny effort scripted by the usually talented John Hughes together.

Movie themes & details

Themes
wild animals
Movie Details
Studio: Universal Pictures
Director: Howard Deutch
Cast: Annette Bening, Dan Aykroyd, John Candy
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 91 minutes
Theatrical release: June 17, 1988
DVD release: July 1, 1998
MPAA Rating: PG
This review was written by Renee Schonfeld
 
 

Review It

 

Review The Great Outdoors

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
 

Most useful reviews by all members

Dr.Pepper
adult
11
 
This movie is kind of a guilty pleasure of mine, but if it came out today it would definately be PG-13. Mild to moderate swearing shows up like every 5 minutes including one scene where variations on the phrase "blow it out of your @$$" was said a dozen or so times. There is also some mild sexual discussion such as a lady describing pleasuring herself with a washing machine.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (9) | had useful details (9) | read my mind (10)
hagrid21
kid, 13 years old
11
 
Surprising
The Great Outdoors is a funny movie that my dad recommended for me. We bought it at Blockbuster and we were surprised at the amount of language. There is everything but F-words in this movie. Also, in the beginning there is a scene of foreplay that is interrupted by Aykroyd's family. There is some teen kissing, too. It is a VERY funny movie, but be aware of the language before you let kids watch this movie.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (8) | had useful details (8) | read my mind (9)
Bret Friend
parent of 12 and 14 year old
13
 
Hilarious!
My son said there is no way that you could watch this movie without laughing. It was hilarious!!!
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (8) | had useful details (8) | read my mind (8)
TaterTot123
kid, 11 years old
9
 
Not Good
It was a very stupid movie, but I saw it when I was 9 and didn't really care or anything. There is one scene where a couple is hugging and the husband unclips her bra, which is shown hanging off her finger when a group of people come in. A man talks about twin sisters as 'expecting their heads to spin around and for them to puke pea soup', obviously referring to the Exorcist.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (8) | had useful details (8) | read my mind (8)

More reviews ...

An independent voice for families
Age-appropriate reviews
Advice on the big issues
 

vote now

Will you see The Great Outdoors?

Won't miss it
On the fence
No way

Already seen it? What do you think?

I recommend it
It's a pass
 

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

Better comic adventures
For kids who love travel
Browse more movies
About our rating system
ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age
Our child development rating guidelines