Ever notice that every blockbuster movie has the same fundamental pieces? A hero, a journey, some conflicts to muck it all up, a reward, and the hero returning home and everybody applauding his or her swag? Yeah, scholar Joseph Campbell noticed first—in 1949. He wrote The Hero with a Thousand Faces, in which he outlined the 17 stages of a mythological hero's journey.

About half a century later, Christopher Vogler condensed those stages down to 12 in an attempt to show Hollywood how every story ever written should—and, uh, does—follow Campbell's pattern. We're working with those 12 stages, so take a look. (P.S. Want more? We have an entire Online Course devoted to the hero's journey.)

Ordinary World

It doesn't get much more ordinary than suburban America. Just a buncha kids living an ordinary life, breaking statues and zip lining to each others' houses. That ordinary life is about to change, however, unless they can find a way to raise a big hunk o' cash in a hurry.

Call to Adventure

Willy's treasure map changes everything. Suddenly, there's a light at the end of the quite literal tunnel.

Refusal of the Call

Mikey's the only Goonie who doesn't seem to be having second thoughts. Chunk, Data and Mouth are getting a little tired of the same old Goonie adventures, Brand has been charged with keeping Mikey at home and doesn't want to risk getting grounded, and Andy and Stef—unofficial Goonies for now—are just along for the ride.

Meeting the Mentor

The mentor in this case is One-Eyed Willy himself. He guides the gang along their way via the map, which at times is frustratingly vague, and at all times frustratingly in Spanish. (Thanks for translating, Mouth.)

Crossing the Threshold

Once the Goonies enter the restaurant where the Fratellis are hiding out—and especially once they lower themselves through that hole under the fireplace—there's no going back. Not unless they want to get ash in their hair.

Tests, Allies, Enemies

Bats, organs, and booby-traps, oh my. There's almost no end to the number of obstacles in their way, but one by one they pass Willy's tests, and stay just a step ahead of their enemies.

Approach to the Inmost Cave

Not every "approach to the inmost cave" is as much fun as this one. Conveyance to the lagoon via water slide? Where do we sign up?

Ordeal

They didn't think it was going to be easy, did they? The Fratellis finally catch up to the Goonies, and they're not big sharers. In addition to the Fratellis, the crew also has to contend with another booby trap, falling rocks, exploding dynamite, and romantic interludes.

Reward (Seizing the Sword)

Mikey doesn't realize it at the time, but when he drops a few jewels into his marble bag, he is in effect rescuing his family from a fate worse than foreclosure. Well…okay, from foreclosure.

The Road Back

After escaping from the cave that contains Willy's ship, the Goonies make their way back to shore, and only consider themselves safe once they're back in the arms of their families.

Resurrection

Once the jewels are discovered, Mr. Walsh rips up the foreclosure papers and tosses them joyfully into the air. The citizens of Astoria who have been under threat from the country club folks have renewed life. They've probably shot themselves in the foot when it comes to being invited to play a round at the golf course, unfortunately.

Return With the Elixir

The movie ends before we get a chance to see how the Astorians move on post-Willy, but it looks like smooth sailing (you see what we did there?) from here on out. The Goonies can go back to their adventuring, and no one will have to move out of their home. And there's a runaway pirate ship.

Hey, one loose end ain't bad.