Pee-Wee's Big Adventure

( 15 )

Overview

Co-written by Paul Reubens and Phil Hartman, Pee Wee's Big Adventure marks the debut of director Tim Burton, who stamps the entire film with his quirky trademark style. The premise: Pee Wee Reubens, an overgrown pre-pubescent boy sporting a molded Princeton cut, blush, lipstick, and a shrunken gray flannel suit, lives an idyllic life in his bizarre home some have compared the remarkable set design to the expressionistic The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari until someone nabs his most prized possession: a fire engine-red ...
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More About This Product

Overview

Co-written by Paul Reubens and Phil Hartman, Pee Wee's Big Adventure marks the debut of director Tim Burton, who stamps the entire film with his quirky trademark style. The premise: Pee Wee Reubens, an overgrown pre-pubescent boy sporting a molded Princeton cut, blush, lipstick, and a shrunken gray flannel suit, lives an idyllic life in his bizarre home some have compared the remarkable set design to the expressionistic The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari until someone nabs his most prized possession: a fire engine-red customized bicycle. He then embarks on an epic cross-country search to find his lost love, not to mention more than a little adventure. Along the way, he makes friends with various oddball characters, visits the Alamo, endures various hallucinatory nightmares, and has a supernatural run-in with a spectral trucker. In this reprisal of his popular standup routine, Reubens is wonderful as the nerdy man child; he plays it silly, yet he manages to imbue the role with some sensitivity without ever seeming maudlin. The score by Danny Elfman is terrific -- as is the case in nearly every film Burton has directed -- and the script is fresh and inventive. Some of the most memorable moments: the opening sequence involving Pee Wee's morning activities is a stroke of genius note the bunny slippers and talking breakfast, as are the scenes at the truck stop, and the "Hollywood" version of Pee Wee's story at the end starring James Brolin and Morgan Fairchild in surprise cameos. In all, Pee Wee's Big Adventure is a delightful film, enjoyable for children as well as adults.
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Special Features

Commentary by Paul Reubens and director Tim Burton ; Additional scenes; Production sketches and storyboards; Music-only track with commentary by Danny Elfman; Theatrical trailer
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Editorial Reviews

All Movie Guide
Director Tim Burton's first feature film already displayed his distinctive visual style. The absurdist comedy has a look reminiscent of German expressionist movies of the 1920s, filtered through a pop-art sensibility of cartoons, horror serials, and Gothic fairy tales. The result is a surreal, mystical world, yet one very close to our own. Much like Burton's subsequent heroes, Edward Scissorhands and Ed Wood, Pee-Wee (Paul Reubens) travels through this dreamy world as an unabashedly quirky, innocent outsider. The character of Pee-Wee Herman was the creation of comedians Reubens and Phil Hartman, and it had been a staple of Reubens' nightclub act for years before the film. Reubens selected Burton to direct the Pee-Wee feature on the basis of his Disney-produced short Frankenweenie, which the studio had deemed unacceptable for kids. Pee-Wee's Big Adventure propelled Burton to many opportunities, including the first Batman, even as it predictably typecast Reubens.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 10/4/2011
  • UPC: 883929198641
  • Original Release: 1985

    • Rating:

  • Source: Warner Home Video
  • Presentation: Wide Screen
  • Sound: DTS 5.1-Channel Surround Sound, Dolby AC-3 Surround Sound
  • Language: English
  • Time: 1:31:00
  • Format: Blu-ray
  • Sales rank: 21,372

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Paul Reubens Pee-Wee Herman
Elizabeth Daily Dottie
Mark Holton Francis
Diane Salinger Simone
Judd Omen Mickey
Jon Harris Andy
Carmen Filpi Hobo Jack
Tony Bill Terry Hawthorne
James Brolin "P.W."
Morgan Fairchild "Dottie"
Susan Barnes Movie Lot Actress
Milton Berle Himself [uncredited]
Simmy Bow Man in Diner
Richard Brose Tarzan
Gregory Brown BMX Kid
Bill Cable Policeman
Luis Contreras Biker
Patrick Cranshaw Hobo
Lou Cutell Amazing Larry
Bob Drew Fireman
Starletta DuPois Sgt. Hunter
Mark Everett BMX Kid
Brett Fellman Kid
John Gilgreen Policeman at Pet Shop
David C. Glasser BMX Kid
Ed Griffith Trucker
Chester Grimes Biker
Phil Hartman Reporter
Irving Hellman Neighbor
Noreen Hennesey Reporter
Ed Herlihy Mr. Buxton
Jason Hervey Kevin Morton
Howard Hirdler Biker
Zachary Hoffman Director
Jan Hooks Tina
Monte Landis Mario
Peter Looney Policeman
Damon Martin Chip
Raymond Martino Gang Member
Bob McClurg Studio Guard
John Moody Bus Clerk
Wallis Nicita
Alice Nunn Large Marge
John O'Neill Cowboy
John Paragon Movie Lot Actor
Sunshine Parker Hobo
Lonnie Parkinson Biker
Cassandra Peterson Biker Mama
Bill Richmond Highway Patrolman
Daryl Roach Chuck
David Rothenberg Hobo
George Sasaki Japanese Director
Gilles Savard Pierre
Drew Seward Kid
Ralph Seymour Francis' Accomplice
Alex Sharp Cowboy
Lynne Stewart Mother Superior
Prof. Toru Tanaka Butler
Twisted Sister Themselves
Michael Varhol Photographer
Erica Yohn Madam Ruby
Technical Credits
Tim Burton Director
Richard Gilbert Abramson Producer
Paul R. Baxley Jr. Stunts
Danny Elfman Score Composer
Charles Gaspar Special Effects
Frank Griffin Makeup
Phil Hartman Screenwriter
Rick Heinrichs Animator
Peter Hliddal Musical Direction/Supervision
Victor J. Kemper Cinematographer
William E. McEuen Executive Producer, Producer
Marjorie Stone McShirley Production Designer
Paul Reubens Screenwriter
Aggie Guerard Rodgers Costumes/Costume Designer
Thomas Roysden Set Decoration/Design
Robert Shapiro Producer
David Snyder Production Designer
James Tocci Set Decoration/Design
Michael Varhol Screenwriter
Billy Weber Editor
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 15 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(12)

4 Star

(2)

3 Star

(1)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)

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Sort by: Showing all of 15 Customer Reviews

  • Posted October 1, 2010

    Tim Burton's Memorable Feature Debut

    There's not much I can add to the sentiments of the other positive reviews. Recommended. I bought this just to find out what happened to the boomerang bow-tie. It was totally worth it.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    This Movie was already released on DVD

    This movie is great. I know everyline to it and have enjoyed having it in my collection. The weird thing is that i have had this same DVD for two years now. Why is it being released? Is it a special edition? According to what the page states it doesnt appear to be that way. I bought this DVD. I wont say where i bought it but it is around.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Pee Wee Is An American Mr.Bean!!!

    I Watched Pee Wee's Big Adventure on Memorial Day of 2007 and i fell in love with it!! Hes Soo funny and i love the part where he meets the ghost of Large Marge!!!! I LOVE YOU PEE WEE HERMAN!!!!!!!!! 333 (heart)

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Funniest Movie I Ever Seen

    Forget Large Marge's quote, "worst accident I ever seen." The whole movie is just absolutely funny from beginning to end. This movie is surely one to get lots of laughs out of.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Pee-wee Love Resurfaced!

    I just recently purchased 'Pee-wee's Big Adventure' on DVD from online after searching for months through garage sales and flea markets for someones old copy. When I was younger the movie kind of scared me, but I still loved Pee-wee. I am now in love all over again! I can now appreciate the masterpiece that is the Pee-wee movie. Paul Rubens, Tim Burton, and Danny Elfman are the BEST! The comentary is so adorable and a cherished bonus. Pee-wee is very missed, but never will be forgotten. A true lengend!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Pee Wee Rules!

    Pee Wee's Big Adventure is still my favorite comedy even though it was released over 15 years ago. Stupid humor really, but hilarious stuff that still makes me cry tears of joy. There will never be another PW. Watch it today and it still get the laughs. Alot of subtle dry humor, that some people may not get. But for us who know many lines by heart, it will always be a timeless comedy classic.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Funniest movie ever

    I think I know just about every line to this movie... It was a favorite as a kid and still is today. Paul Rubens is the man, I don't care what anyone says. ANNNDDDDYYY!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Paging Mr. Herman

    Pee-wee's Big Adventure is fun for kids and grownups alike, although some scenes (including Large Marge and some nightmarish clowns) could be skipped over. The dvd presentation is awesome, but I only wish that Paul Reubens and Tim Burton had done less snickering about who still has the props and talked more about the making of the movie. The soundtrack, by Danny Elfman is beyond cool. Also, there's some neat casting cameos throughout

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    LAUGH!

    Pee Wee's Big Adventure is the most hilarious movie! Pee Wee adventure for his stolen bike is always followed by laughter. Try not to laugh at this movie!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted November 23, 2010

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted September 24, 2009

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted March 20, 2011

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted January 28, 2009

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted July 23, 2009

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted April 2, 2011

    No text was provided for this review.

Sort by: Showing all of 15 Customer Reviews