“Goonies never say die”
This was part of Mikey’s big speech when the titular “Goonies” were at the bottom of the wishing well debating if they wanted to ride up on Troy’s bucket to escape the pursuit of the Fratelli’s. This is right before he says the famous line, “it’s our time, its our time down here…” Because the only thing waiting for them above ground was leaving their home. But the never say die line wasn’t just because Andy said they could end up dead if they didn’t ride up the bucket, it was about their resiliency in general. It was a classic 80’s battle between the wealthy elite and the commoners because the rejects always had something the rich guys wanted for some reason. The entire reason they went to find the rich stuff was to save the Goondocks from Troy’s evil father and his country club henchmen. They couldn’t just give up! “Goonies never say die!”
Sure its about adventure, treasure hunting and high crime, but its also about what you’re capable of when you care about something. The Goonies cared about the Goondocks, they cared about each other and they shared a common hatred for the Perkins family. They made it past the initial interaction with the Fratelli’s just to go back in to the old restaurant to find the start to their adventure (except for Chunk). Then they got some sweet revenge without even knowing it. Messing with the pipes to the country club and sending Troy flying on an exploding toilet was probably all Brand needed to assert his dominance (I still wonder if he ever found out about it) but he had bigger things in mind. He was in love with Andy, who wasn’t a Goonie, so if Brand and Mikey couldn’t save their home and be forced to move what would happen with Andy!?
As they ventured farther they realized how real this story of One Eyed Willey really was. After taking the Schlitterban waterslide into the pool where the pirate ship was docked they found the rich stuff! But wait… the Fratelli’s caught up somehow! If you have ever seen the movie can you imagine the old lady “Ma”, going down that waterslide? Just think about that for a second. The Goonies were forced to give up the treasure and walk the plank but not before Chunk and Sloth showed up for a much needed distraction. The Fratelli’s got greedy though and tried taking what Mikey knew was just for Willey. It set off a booty, I mean booby trap, and the cave started falling apart. Although abused, when Sloth saw his family in trouble he made sure the gang had a safe exit and he went back to aid his mom and brothers. All that rich stuff seemed to be gone.
The Goonies were inevitably reunited with their families. But as a true 80’s villain, Mr. Perkins shows up with papers at the beach where all these lost children have been found demanding they be signed so he can demolish their homes. Just then priceless jewels are found in a marble bag and the pirate ship was set free on the open water with the rest of the loot. Goondocks have been saved, Fratelli’s arrested and Sloth is now going to be Chunks new brother. The end…
Ask my wife, I quote or refer to this movie on a daily basis. Its one you either love and sit around and recap it with your friends or you have seen it once and hate it. For those that hate it, maybe try and understand the message of it. These kids were average, blue collar, modest people. But they cared about their lives, knew it was worth fighting for even if someone could come in and easily tear it down, quite literally. As a kid I loved the adventure and would try and find adventures of my own and the relationship all the characters had I would try and find similarities in with my friends. It sparked my creative side and imagination more than any other movie or show I can think of. But as a kid I watched it through the lens of pure entertainment without any thought to a message behind it.
But maybe as an adult I am reading too much in to what in reality was just a fun movie made to entertain. I literally just wrote a commentary on a movie that came out over 35 years ago, so there is a good chance I am just crazy. But I found myself on a project a few months back that was extremely taxing and took much longer than anticipated. I tried putting my head down and powering through but feelings of frustration eventually got the best of me and I put my tools down and walked away. I hadn’t quit but I needed a break. When I returned to where I left off I remember seeing what was left to do and saying “I'm done…” But then almost immediately I said “Goonies never say die.” I wasn’t instantly filled with the strength of 100 men or anything, it was still brutal. But that was when I started to understand Mikey and the gang.
I care dearly about my friends and family and would do anything to help them even if it involved going on some crazy no questions asked adventure. Or more realistically, working hard to provide the things my family needs even when I feel like I am going to hit a brick wall. Making the time to keep in touch with those people who have had a large impact on my life, even though it takes work and a lot of effort. Not throwing in the towel because there is a prospect of something easier when the reward ahead just takes some blood, sweat and tears but its real, material, not just a pipe dream.
The Goonies were resilient, a quality that is essential to making the best of a bad situation and finding a solution even if its difficult. They valued friendships and could be honest with each other without being overly sensitive. They were also ok in accepting that their lives were more important than any treasure which was meant to contrast the evil greedy Fratelli’s. But in the end they got the treasure because of their humility. Their bond was also so much closer because of the shared experience they had and they got to keep their homes and continue living in Goondocks. I’d say this is a pretty good lesson regardless of what you think of the movie.
