BBBB
(out of 5)
The wackiest entertainer in children’s television gets his first big-screen adventure and it’s a wild ride of fun. It’s also the first film to get the industry’s attention on the equally wacky sensibilities of director Tim Burton. The plot, such as it is, surrounds Pee-wee’s love for his shiny red bike, and the cross-country rescue mission he goes on when it is stolen. A not-so-trustworthy fortune teller tells him that his precious vehicle is hidden in the basement of the Alamo, leading Pee-wee Herman (Paul Reubens) on a journey that will take him to some pretty strange places and meet some unforgettable people. This film is blessed with a healthy sense of fun and a terrific feeling of otherworldliness that doesn’t alienate its target-youth audience.
Warner Bros., Aspen Film Society
USA, 1985
Directed by Tim Burton
Screenplay by Phil Hartman, Paul Reubens, Michael Varhol
Cinematography by Victor J. Kemper
Produced by Richard Gilbert Abramson, Robert Shapiro
Music by Danny Elfman
Production Design by David L. Snyder
Costume Design by Aggie Guerard Rodgers
Film Editing by Billy Weber
