The Goonies

Day 16 of #BTBC

Favorite TV shows or movies.

How does IMDb describe the Goonies (1985)?  

A group of kids set out on an adventure in search of

pirate treasure that could save their homes from 

foreclosure.  

    In one sentence, that is a quick little summary of the plot.  But, it is so much more than that.  That movie has always been one of my favorites of all time.  Perhaps it is because the family that was up against foreclosure was the Walsh family, and that was my maiden name.  I identified with them, on some weird coincidence level, you know, because we have the same name.  Perhaps.  

     The story is about a group of friends who call themselves the Goonies.  The main character is Mikey Walsh, but his friends Mouth, Data, and Chunk together call themselves the Goonies.  Mikey's family is about to get their house foreclosed so that developers can build a golf course.   The group stumbles upon a treasure map from "One Eyed Willy" and they go on their last adventure together through a tunnel found in a deserted seaside restaurant owned by criminals.  

     The story has many themes throughout it.  It's a thematic roller coaster in fact.  It starts with sadness and friendship, then adventure and curiosity, then danger and fear, then joy and greed, with tales of growing up and determination along the way, and ultimately family and the feeling of pride and acceptance of oneself.  The varying idea of treasure is another easy to spot theme, and the thematic statement could be many different things at various points in the movie.  

Treasure is sometimes right in front of you.

Friendship is the greatest treasure of all.

Treasure takes on different forms for different reasons.  

     If you look at it through a character lens, though, I think the movie really shines.  In the CCSS, the character standard really looks at the development of the character in the text as the ladder continues up the grades.  You start off with identifying characters and their traits, and how their actions affect the sequence of events.  In this movie's case, I think in many ways the characters not only build off each others' traits, but also utilize them to help move the plot along.  Their nicknames, their mannerisms, their words, and their actions all help add a deeper layer to the overall themes of friendship and perseverance in the course of the movie.  

"The next time you see sky, it'll be over another town. The next time you take a test, it'll be in some other school. Our parents, they want the bestest stuff for us. But right now they gotta do what's right for them, 'cause it's their time. Their time, up there. Down here it's our time. It's our time down here. That's all over the second we ride up Troy's bucket."

-Mikey

     It is seriously one of the best movies ever.  Check it out.