By-the-numbers re-telling of Joseph Campbell's Monomyth. Spoilerish.

(Following contains a summary of plot points, so some spoilers are to be expected.)

Lots of Hollywood adventure movies rely on the Campbell monomyth. But I was surprised at how literally this one did. See:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hero%27s_journey#The_17_Stages_of_the_Mon omyth

Call to Adventure-finding the map at Billy's funeral

Refusal-Dan's nerves.

Supernatural Aid-Billy's compass.

Crossing 1st Threshold-arriving in the small town.

Belly of the Whale-the dangerous river.

The Road of Trials-finding Grandpa's Nose, the bear, the waterfall.

Meeting with the Goddess-the hippie chicks in the trees. (This happens after the atonement. So the sequence is slightly off.)

Woman as Temptress-doesn't have to literally be a woman, so marijuana?

Atonment with Father-Tom's talk about his father.

Apotheosis-the slow-mo scene when Jerry calls his girlfriend & is indifferent to the phone being shot out of his hand. Dan also moves past his fear or death after this scene.

Ultimate Boon-DB Cooper.

Refusal of Reutrn-Del Knox. (Again, sequence is slightly off)

Magic flight-crawling through the tunnel & the struggle with the grenade.

Rescue from Without-not sure if it was shown, but it clearly happens. Were they rescued by park rangers? Somehow they get back home.

Crossing of the Return Threshold-the big media event at home & subsequent burial, the 2nd in the movie.

Master of Two Worlds-Tom back in the woods as a scoutmaster. Dan getting with the hippy chick.

Freedom to Live-Jerry enjoying his relationship.