Episode 698 - The Great Outdoors (1988), John Candy and the Old 96er

·51 min·5 clips

Why does a 1988 John Candy comedy have no real villain, just a family singing in a car?

Mark Hoffmeyer hosts with his brother Eric on Movies, Films, and Flicks, reviewing 'The Great Outdoors' from 1988. They open with personal anecdotes about water skiing and tubing, linking it to a scene where John Candy water skis. The episode delves into the film's structure, noting it was written by John Hughes and directed by Howie Deutsch. Mark highlights three key aspects: no real antagonist, a tight-knit family singing in the car, and a plotless, bit-heavy format ideal for cable TV. Eric points out the cinematographer, Eric Rick Waite, from Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and his diverse filmography. The hosts analyze the characters, with Dan Aykroyd's Roman as an obnoxious but not evil brother-in-law, and John Candy's Chet as content and happy. They discuss how animal bits—bears, leeches, raccoons—provide drama without internal family conflict. Eric praises Aykroyd's fast line delivery and Candy's amiable nature. The conversation shifts to why critics gave it a 42% Rotten Tomatoes score, attributing it to the film's slapdash, bit-heavy nature versus its rewatchability. They compare it to other movies like 'Knight's Tale' and 'Evolution,' which also lack high stakes. Mark and Eric debate whether to make a 'good' movie or a rewatchable one, favoring personality over art. They touch on themes of family bonding, nostalgia, and the fleeting nature of childhood. The hosts rapid-fire questions on pontoon vs. jet boats, animal encounter records, and scary stories in films. They recommend the movie for family movie nights, noting its 90-minute runtime and inoffensive content. The episode ends with Eric's favorite part—the ending where Aykroyd says 'I'll race you home'—and reflections on the film's earnest, archaic charm.

As heard by us

A sharp, funny rewatch that catches fresh bite in Ackroyd's lines and Candy's calm center.

Movies, Films, and Flicks returns to the movie through the comic scrape between John Candy and Ackroyd, paying close attention to what a second viewing makes easier to catch.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

You want John Candy and Ackroyd in a comedy conversation where the jokes arrive faster than you can catch them.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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