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PEE-WEE’S BIG ADVENTURE / Tim Burton (1985)

July 29th, 2007 by Scott Marks

Pee-Wee Herman

Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure (1985)

Directed by: Tim Burton

Written by: Phil Hartman, Paul Reubens

Genres: Comedy, Family

Cast: Paul Reubens, Elizabeth Daily, Mark Holton, Diane Salinger, Judd Omen, Irving Hellman, Monte Landis, Damon Martin, David Glasser, Gregory Brown, Mark Everett, Daryl Keith Roach, Bill Cable, Peter Looney, Starletta DuPois

Aspect Ratio: 1.85 : 1

Running Time: 90 min.

After numerous unpredictable appearances on the Letterman show earned him a cult reputation, this film introduced Pee-Wee Herman to mainstream America. The brilliance of Paul Reubens’ nine-year-old hyperthyroid case lay in his ability to wring boundless variations out of such a seemingly limited shtick. He was the closest his generation of comedians came to capturing the bendy playfulness of the classic cartoons that he frequently included in Pee-Wee’s Playhouse. He also shared their ability to unite parent and child in convulsive laughter. In addition to Pee, this also launched the directorial career of twenty-six-year-old budding animator Burton and his soon-to-be-superstar composer Danny Elfman. Sadly, Reuben’s subsequent acts of career hara-kiri may forever keep this from attaining the “family classic” status it deserves.

Rating: ★★★★☆

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Filed Under DVD, Reviews