 | ON: Content is age-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. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Great Outdoors
- Review Date: August 29, 2009
- PG
- Genre: Comedy
- 1988
Common Sense Media says
Good cast can't help lame man vs. nature farce.
Parents say
Kids say
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).
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?
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.
What families can talk 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?
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AGE
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.
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AGE
Hilarious!
My son said there is no way that you could watch this movie without laughing. It was hilarious!!!
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AGE
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.
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Kid, 12 years old
December 12, 2010
AGE
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.
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| Topics: | wild animals |
| Studio: | Universal Pictures |
| Director: | Howard Deutch |
| Cast: | Annette Bening, Dan Aykroyd, John Candy |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 91 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | June 17, 1988 |
| DVD release date: | July 1, 1998 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
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