Pee-Wee's Big Adventure

1985

3.5/5 Stars


“I know you are, but what am I?”

Pee-Wee’s Great Adventure takes us into the bizarre alternative world of Paul Reuben’s Pee-Wee Herman.  The feature-length directorial debut of Tim Burton, Pee-Wee’s Great Adventure stretches across the United States and features the cartoon-like protagonist on a quest to rescue his most prized possession- his tricked out bicycle. 

This film is a visual delight, and a perfect match for the highly stylized Burton.  Coupled with the playful music by Danny Elfman, the “Great Adventure” succeeds in being weird and crazy, yet entertaining and fun.  Reuben is a gifted character actor with great timing and a knack for physical comedy.  His childish banter with his arch-rival Francis (Mark Holton), which culminates in a great fight sequence, is worth the price of admission. 

The movie has some scary moments (involving sadistic clowns and the ghost of “large Marge”), which can make it feel a bit uneven at times.  This said, Pee-Wee doesn’t even have to talk to be funny in most scenes and the chase sequence at the climax of the film through the WB studios is straight from the keystone cops films of the 20’s (except this chase features an appearance from TWISTED SISTER!). 

Weird and quirky, but a lot of fun.