The Great Outdoors Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A family vacation is ruined by a rich brother-in-law, raccoons, and a bear that gets a very unfortunate haircut…twice.

🍿 The Great Outdoors: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Ripleys Arrive

Chet Ripley, a family man from Chicago, eagerly anticipates a relaxing vacation with his wife, Connie, and their two sons, Buck and Ben, at a lakeside resort in Pechoggin, Wisconsin. Chet has fond memories of visiting this resort as a child and hopes to create similar experiences for his own family. They arrive at the rustic cabin, ready to enjoy the peace and tranquility of the great outdoors.

An Unwelcome Surprise

Their peaceful vacation is quickly disrupted by the unexpected arrival of Connie’s sister, Kate, her wealthy and ostentatious husband, Roman Craig, and their eerie twin daughters, Mara and Cara. Roman’s arrival immediately clashes with Chet’s plans for a simple, family-oriented getaway. Roman insists on bringing his lavish lifestyle to the cabin, complete with lobster tails and a speedboat, much to Chet’s chagrin.

Clash of Lifestyles

The two families attempt to coexist, but their contrasting lifestyles and personalities lead to a series of comedic mishaps and escalating tensions. Chet’s laid-back approach to vacationing is constantly undermined by Roman’s attempts to impress everyone with his wealth and sophistication. This includes a disastrous water-skiing trip and a competitive steak-eating challenge, further straining their relationship.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Chet Ripley (John Candy): A good-hearted Chicago family man who plans a relaxing vacation that is upended by his obnoxious brother-in-law.
• Roman Craig (Dan Aykroyd): Chet’s boastful and materialistic brother-in-law whose unexpected arrival disrupts the family vacation.
• Connie Ripley (Stephanie Faracy): Chet’s supportive wife who tries to keep the peace between her husband and her sister’s family.
• Kate Craig (Annette Bening): Roman’s wife and Connie’s sister, who is struggling with her husband’s financial and personal issues.
• Buck Ripley (Chris Young): Chet and Connie’s teenage son who finds a summer romance amidst the family chaos.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Chet: “Those aren’t pillows!” – Chet yells this to Roman after discovering leeches on his body after skinny dipping in the lake.
• Roman: “I want you to do something for me. I want you to take this golf ball… I want you to hold it. I want you to crush it.” – Roman says this to Chet while trying to show him how to be assertive.
• Chet: “Dad, isn’t it illegal to drive with a bear on the hood of your car?” – Ben asks his father after they try to get rid of the bear.
• Raccoon #1: “Why’s Jody sitting in the lake?” – Dialogue between two raccoons discussing Jody’s predicament after she gets shot in the rear.
• Raccoon #2: “Yup… She’s bald on both ends now!” – The raccoon explains that Jody’s baldness is from her injury.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $24,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $41,455,230
• Worldwide Gross: $43,455,230

💥 The Great Outdoors Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching this as a kid and loving the pure silliness of it all! John Candy is so good as the put-upon Chet, and Dan Aykroyd is perfectly obnoxious. The scene where Chet tries to eat the ‘Old 96er’ steak is legendary! And don’t even get me started on the raccoons. It’s not high art, but it’s a feel-good movie that always puts a smile on my face.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of John Candy and Dan Aykroyd”
  • “Viewers who enjoy 80s comedies”
  • “Families looking for a lighthearted movie night”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild language”
  • “Some suggestive humor”
  • “Brief scenes of peril (bear attack)”
  • “Animal cruelty”

Professional Reviews

• Chicago Sun-Times: “While ‘The Great Outdoors’ has its moments, it largely relies on broad slapstick and predictable situations. Candy and Aykroyd are talented, but the script doesn’t give them enough to work with. The beautiful scenery does however make you want to spend time in the great outdoors.
• Variety: “This family comedy has moments of light-hearted fun, but it lacks the depth and originality to be truly memorable. John Candy delivers his usual charm, but the overall story feels thin and the jokes fall flat to many viewers.

Audience Reactions

John Candy’s performance is hilarious and heartwarming.: Most viewers agree that John Candy’s performance is the highlight of the movie, praising his comedic timing and genuine likability.

The raccoon scenes are surprisingly funny and memorable.: Many people find the subtitled raccoon scenes to be a unique and entertaining aspect of the film, adding an unexpected layer of humor.

Overall Consensus: A lighthearted comedy with memorable performances from John Candy and Dan Aykroyd, but ultimately held back by a predictable plot and reliance on slapstick humor. A fun and lighthearted film.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The lakeside restaurant featured, Ducey’s Bar and Grill in Bass Lake, California, tragically burned down shortly after filming due to a gas fire. The rebuilt restaurant commemorates the film with posters and memorabilia.”
• “John Hughes wrote the screenplay, drawing on his signature themes of family dynamics and class differences, but it’s considered a lesser work compared to his other 80s classics.”
• “Annette Bening made her film debut in ‘The Great Outdoors’ as Kate Craig.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Great Outdoors?

The Great Outdoors is available for streaming on Peacock TV with a subscription. You can also rent or buy the movie on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Check your local listings for broadcast schedules on cable or satellite TV.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Great Outdoors, you might like these similar films:

• National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983): Similar slapstick humor and disastrous family vacation theme, focuses on the family’s misadventures on a cross-country trip.
• Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987): Another John Hughes comedy starring John Candy, focusing on the chaotic journey of two men trying to get home for Thanksgiving, similar in its comedic portrayal of travel mishaps and clashing personalities.
• Summer Rental (1985): Features John Candy in a similar role as a family man on vacation, dealing with comedic mishaps and eccentric characters.
• RV (2006): A modern comedy about a family vacation gone wrong, with humorous situations arising from their travels in a recreational vehicle.
• What About Bob? (1991): A comedy about a psychatrist whose vacation is disrupted by an obsessive patient, it has thematic similarities in the disruption of personal space and comedic clashes.

🛒 The Great Outdoors Related Products

• The Great Outdoors [Blu-ray]: Upgrade your viewing experience with this crisp Blu-ray version, showcasing the beautiful lakeside scenery and hilarious moments in enhanced detail. The original aspect ratio allows you to fully enjoy the visual experience.
• John Candy: The Comedic Genius: A collection of John Candy’s greatest hits including The Great Outdoors. Experience the best of Candy’s slapstick magic and memorable characters in one convenient digital package.
• The Great Outdoors Movie Poster: This is a recreation of the original movie poster, perfect for displaying your love for this classic comedy. Printed on high-quality material, it captures the essence of the film’s humor and charm.
• Raccoon Plush Toy: This plush is a cuddly and cute raccoon, inspired by the raccoon characters from the film. It is soft and cuddly and would be a great companion while watching The Great Outdoors.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Great Outdoors features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Yakety Yak” – performed by The Coasters
• “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye” – performed by Steam

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

10 Things You Didn’t Know About GreatOutdoors

Ever wondered about some secrets behind ‘The Great Outdoors’? This video spills the beans with some really cool facts you probably didn’t know. I found some of them totally mind-blowing!

🤣JOHN PINETTE 🐻🌲🤬 THE GREAT OUTDOORS! 😆 #reaction #comedy #funny #clean #hilarious #shortsviral

Need a laugh? Check out this hilarious reaction to John Pinette’s comedy bit about ‘The Great Outdoors.’ I was cracking up the whole time; his take on the movie is spot-on!

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