Big Top Pee-wee

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Jeff M I think PEE-WEE'S BIG ADVENTURE is one of the great cinematic pleasures of the 1980s - a coloring book come to life. This film is everything that its predecessor is not. Such a disappointment! I'm not going to over-analyze a Pee-Wee Herman movie, but let me give you two major complaints. 1) There are no interesting supporting characters here, whereas BIG ADVENTURE had a tapestry of unforgettable personalities, some of which were onscreen for only moments but left a lasting impression. 2) Forgive me for being blunt, but I don't want to see a horny Pee-Wee Herman. One of the joys of this character is his innocence and childlike naïveté. To see him jumping on not one but two characters is disheartening. I must also credit Tim Burton for making the first Pee-Wee Herman movie such a marvelous concoction of whimsy and bliss. This feels like nothing more than a pale Xerox! Rated 2/5 Stars •  Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/11/24 Full Review Retro C The sequel to Pee-wee's Big Adventure, which was directed by Tim Burton, Big Top Pee-wee stars Paul Reubens in what is a brand new Pee-wee Herman adventure mostly divorced from the original film. ​ With Randal Kleiser taking over directing duties, Pee-wee now finds himself living on the farm. His iconic home from the first film is nowhere to be seen, Speck the dog is absent, the colorful world we came to know in Pee-wee's Big Adventure is no more. This feeling is matched in the story itself as Pee-wee copes with the fact that his life has changed so much. Pee-wee is in a relationship with Winnie (Penelope Ann Miller) but all they do is have sandwiches together, so there's some frustration there. And then, after a tornado, the circus crashes into Pee-wee's yard... Following Tim Burton's iconic first movie was always going to be tough but this sequel makes a fine attempt. The new setting and general vibe are jarring, at first, but the film invites you into this Big Top story so skillfully that you'll be in for the ride pretty quickly. Danny Elfman is back on scoring duties, though he introduces a brand new theme here, which is surprising also. Paul Reubens continues to be a riot as the bizarre man-child Pee-wee, while Kris Kristofferson brings some good old-fashioned earnestness to the film giving it a timeless old Hollywood feel. The love triangle between Pee-wee, Winnie and trapeze artist Gina (Valeria Golino) should mostly entertain less young viewers because of the edgier humor and innuendos. ​ Big Top Pee-wee feels very different but it also makes sense as a sequel. Dropping Pee-wee in a fresh environment keeps things new but the tone isn't a departure from the one set by Tim Burton, it just works in its own unique way. It lacks the energy and visual punch of the original, true, but it's funny, clever and it has a good amount of charm. This one deserved better. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/12/23 Full Review Jeffrey M Big Top Pee Wee was an amazing movie. I watched it this morning so it is fresh in my mind. Big Top Pee Wee was a funny movie, and guess what? I LOVE comedy. Big Top Pee Wee was also a very bizarre movie. What a good movie. I give it a 71%. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/17/24 Full Review Ethan G No longer charmingly random, just random and boring. Rated 1.5/5 Stars •  Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 09/09/23 Full Review StephenPaul C LOL, the funniest 01 hour: and 26 minutes ever!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/05/23 Full Review Angie Y One of Paul Reubens' biggest theatrical embarrassments. It lacks the charm of Playhouse, and doesn't have ANY of its characters (no Miss Yvonne, Reba, no one). No wonder if got a $15 million box off ice return. Taking a bizarre and inexplicable turn, this travesty has no connection to either the first film or the television series. I don't find circus humor funny at all. Not too mention the love interest is a one-dimensional joke; she's no Dottie OR Miss Yvonne. Rated 0.5/5 Stars •  Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Read all reviews

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