MovieChat Forums > The Great Outdoors (1988) Discussion > I think this must be an unspoken classic...

I think this must be an unspoken classic film.


I work in a library and put a copy away a couple weeks ago. I chose to display it next to a highly regarded film. Today I was putting it away again, and again chose to display it. The thing was gone long before the end of the day.

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I liked it when I was a kid, but I was surprised by just how bad it was when I watched it again a few years ago. It did not age well, at all. Compare this to a true classic like Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, and it's a night and day difference.

The only parts I still like are the steak scene, Roman's speech on what he would do with the lake's natural resources, and the bear getting his ass shot. Other than that, any scene involving Buck and Cammie, the Raccoons, jet-skiing, bats, were all really bad.

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"any scene involving Buck and Cammie"

Come on! It was adorable. Was one of the few things I love about this movie.

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Really couldn't disagree more. Just saw it for the first time in 2016 (I'm 31) and I loved it. Great film. Holds up fine. And I watched this after Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.

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Quite possibly one of my most favorite movies of all time. The bat scene cracks me up every single time, especially the noise Roman makes when the bat does a fly by.

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It is for sure one of my favourite films of all time. I've never met anyone who loves it as much as I do. But I think it's right up there with Ghostbusters, Back to the Future, and a number of other classic 80s comedies.

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Terrible unfunny comedy. Like most films with "that annoying guy from home alone"

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You don't even know who John Candy is do you.

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I have to concur. One of my favs. I miss John Candy. :(

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It wasn't a big hit and didn't get great reviews but I thought it was underrated, John Candy was always great, we lost him far too soon.

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I agree, underrated classic. Please, the bat scene? Watch it with the sound off, it's almost Chaplinesque.

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I like the thought of it being played on AMC a few times during the week leading into Memorial Day or 4th of July week. Its like a good kickoff to a summer vacation movie.

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Dan Aykroyd and john candy are awesome. Great family movie to throw on with the kids around

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