Léopold M.
I've never heard of Pee Wee Herman before a few days ago, as I live in France, where he's just not popular, when I noticed Paul Reubens' performance in Cheech & Chong movies, I decided to look closer for some more piece of exuberance, as I love this kind of eccentric character, and so I discovered Pee Wee's Big Adventure —surprisingly directed by an unknown-at-the-time Burton— and had a really good time watching it. When I saw there was a sequel, I managed to find the DVD, and just watched it a couple hours ago. Coming with the critics now.The first thing to say, if you're a fan of Pee Wee Herman and you're not a kid, you'll just really enjoy that movie. I laughed for real several times, which is not that easy, as I watch about 300 movies of all kind a year -279 in 2008-, so in my opinion, that's a good point. I won't say this is an adult feature, it's just that contrary to Pee Wee's Big Adventure, Pee Wee's character here is more based on a teenager kind, as sex-related humor and scenes are developed here. To say so, Pee Wee has now a stronger sexual identity than in PWBA, where he was just trying to avoid any close contact with the ladies he now goes for them. That part of Pee Wee is really interesting to see on a movie, as you can imagine with the large amount of comedy Pee Wee carries within him. About the structure of the movie itself, well, it's not that great, it misses the genius part making all of scenes unique and important like in PWBA, as this is not a road-trip but a small town based action, plus some characters are just not enough developed to carry the movie further on. For example, apart from the American-Dreamed-face of Kristofferson, and the simple beauty of Valeria Golino, you won't be deeply touched by their story, not interesting or innovating at all. That's to say it could have been any circus-based comedy, with a talking pig for kids and sex-related visual jokes for adult, which wouldn't worth to be seen, if it was not a Pee Wee Herman story —the very limited number of them on the big screen makes it a must to see if you love Pee Wee. In a few words, poorly conceived but fun as a Pee Wee movie can be.
ianlouisiana
If "Big Top Pee Wee"had been made by some little - known European director with an obscure former Soviet - Bloc performer in the lead role it would undoubtedly have been declared a masterpiece.Bizarre,Brechtian,with an almost Breughel - like cast,it creates an astounding world where the completely off - the - wall character of Pee Wee Herman seems suspended in some neverland where,apart from the schoolmarm and five or six pupils,he appears to be the only character in town under 70.Played as a white - faced clown similar to the "August" characters in Circus,Pee Wee is a strange boy/man with a tight suit who lives on a small farm with only a few animals for company the principal of which,a talking pig called "Vance" predates Babe by several years. In his secret lab(entry by palmprint only - or,in the pig's case,snout print)Pee Wee is creating ever more extraordinary plants in an effort to solve the World Starvation problem - don't tell the anti G.M.brigade. During a storm, a circus is literally blown onto his land and their intention is - natch - to put on a show right there. Non- Sequitur,surreal,borrowing from Freaks","Big Top Pee Wee" is a comedy like no other.Innocent yet rapacious,Herman himself is a cartoon character made flesh with a few random human traits thrown in. Buzzing with manic energy Mr Paul Rubens hits the screen like Road Runner and never stops.Remarkable performance,remarkable movie.One for connoisseurs of the absolutely out there somewhere.
ccthemovieman-1
After enjoying the surprisingly-fun "Pee Wee's Big Adventure," I was happy to give this this a look. Well, one out of two ain't bad, I guess. That first movie was good; this was not. However, the first 10-15 minutes was prime-time Pee Wee Herman weirdness with some very funny dialog and scenes. I thought I got lucky two times in a row but, alas, the story then concentrates on romance between Pee Wee and a circus lady (Valerie Golino). The romance with Golino takes up some much of the rest of the film that the humor goes by the wayside. Hey, the romance is sweet in a way and Golina is pretty woman but I watch this weirdo (Herman) for his outrageous humor not for his romantic stories. Puh-leeeeeze! Speaking of beauty, Penelope Ann Miller also is in here. She and Golina both have beautiful faces, but what's with the teeth? Can't these actresses afford an orthodontist?
blainedayo
This is the sequel of Tim Burton's spectacular "PeeWee's Big Adventure". Watch this movie if you are a fan of PeeWee. This movie is not a very good sequel, never the less an entertaining PeeWee movie. One of the most noticeable aspects of this movie is the use of animals for comedic effect. Examples are the talking pig, the sleeping horse, and the hippo in love. The important thing is to not take it seriously. It's a comedy.And a PeeWee comedy at that. Never the less bad writing and silly plot make for a uncomfortable sitting.But good PeeWee fun. My rating 5/10.
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