THE GREAT OUTDOORS: An Ackroyd and Candy Classic!

    Everybody has their favourites, but it would be hard to argue against John Candy and Dan Ackroyd as being the best two Canadian comedy actors ever.  THE GREAT OUTDOORS is a movie that showcases our very best and is now a treasure, given Candy’s untimely demise.  

  Ackroyd plays Roman Craig, a pushy investment broker.  Chet Ripley, as you might imagine, is played by Candy.  I say that because many Candy characters are fashioned in the same vein:  ordinary guys, with ordinary names who, if you closed your eyes, would picture them in bowling shoes and a bowling shirt with a beer in their hand.  Roman has come with his trophy wife and twin daughters to invade Candy’s family vacation.  What follows is a hilarious flic that will have your sides hurting with laughter!  It is, indeed, a classic, with the scene of a water-skiing Candy taking the cake!  

  This movie fits into the genre of ‘OK,-it-may-not-have-much-deep-meaning,-but-MAN,-is-it-ever-funny!’  It is, pure and simple, 91 minutes of fun.  And sometimes, that’s just what movies should be.  

9.5 out of 10