Pee-wee's Big Adventure

Name: Pee-wee's Big Adventure
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy, Family
Released: August 9, 1985
Duration: 91 min
Rating: 47
Cast: Elizabeth Daily, Paul Reubens

1985

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 14 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 83 Ratings

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7.5

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7.5	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 83 Ratings

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Pee Wee's Big Adventure

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Movie Details & Credits

Warner Bros. Pictures | Release Date: August 9, 1985 | PG

Starring: Elizabeth Daily, Paul Reubens

Summary: When Pee Wee's beloved bike is stolen, he goes on a cross-country trip to the Alamo because a "physic" tells him it's there. On the way, he finds himself in one oddball encounter after another, from posing as an escaped convict's alibi girlfriend to dancing his way out of a biker brawl in a bar to riding in a big-rig with cackling LargeWhen Pee Wee's beloved bike is stolen, he goes on a cross-country trip to the Alamo because a "physic" tells him it's there. On the way, he finds himself in one oddball encounter after another, from posing as an escaped convict's alibi girlfriend to dancing his way out of a biker brawl in a bar to riding in a big-rig with cackling Large Marge (one year after her death). With so much going on, Pee Wee's adventure could be a Hollywood movie.… Expand

Director: Tim Burton

Genre(s): Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy, Family

Rating: PG

Runtime: 91 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Stephanie Zacharek

Everything about Pee-wee's Big Adventure, from its toy-box colors to its superb, hyperanimated Danny Elfman score to the butch-waxed hairdo and wooden-puppet walk of its star and mastermind, Pee-wee Herman, is pure pleasure. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Staff (Not Credited)

Inspired lunacy, Pee-wee's big adventure is one of the most inventive films in recent memory. This clever and wholly original work incorporates a wide variety of cinematic tools with a fresh and unique sense of style. Read full review

Empire Staff (Not Credited)

Burton's first feature revels in the weird, the unpredictable, the infantile and the absurd. A dazzling debut. Read full review

Dave Kehr

With all these safety features built in, this 1985 film is too well padded to qualify as genuinely radical wit, but in an even-toned, TV sort of way it's mildly amusing and inventive throughout. Read full review

Liam Lacey

If Pee-Wee wasn't the most engaging physical comedian since Dick Van Dyke, it would be disastrous. As it is, the opening works well enough to have viewers completely hooked by the time he sets out on the road, like Huck Finn, with his clothes wrapped up in a handerchief on a stick. [10 Aug 1985, p.E9]

Staff (Not Credited)

Children should love the film and adults will be dismayed by the light brushstrokes with which Paul Reubens (one of three credited screenwriters, but star-billed under his stage name, Pee-wee Herman) suggests touches of Buster Keaton and Eddie Cantor. Read full review

Gene Siskel

Nothing, absolutely nothing, at either location is the slightest bit funny. [13 Sep 1985, p.C]

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User Reviews

Gamepro3093

Aug 19, 2020

A fantastic movie that wastes no time with the laughs and getting into the plot. Within 15 minutes you’re into the plot proper and ready to go on a spectacular journey with Pee Wee to find his beloved bicycle. With superb and stylish direction by Tim Burton and an excellent soundtrack byA fantastic movie that wastes no time with the laughs and getting into the plot. Within 15 minutes you’re into the plot proper and ready to go on a spectacular journey with Pee Wee to find his beloved bicycle. With superb and stylish direction by Tim Burton and an excellent soundtrack by Danny Elfman to complement things further you’re in for a great time!… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

sadpanda

Aug 11, 2011

I find it astonishing that this film, Tim Burton's directorial debut Pee-wee's Big Adventure, has such a low score here at Metacritic. Although I'm not the biggest fan of Burton's style and find his work to be mostly overrated, this movie is a masterpiece of camp that led to one of theI find it astonishing that this film, Tim Burton's directorial debut Pee-wee's Big Adventure, has such a low score here at Metacritic. Although I'm not the biggest fan of Burton's style and find his work to be mostly overrated, this movie is a masterpiece of camp that led to one of the greatest 'children's shows' of all-time, Pee-Wee's Playhouse. The deadpan humor never gets old..… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

Zilcell

May 12, 2012

I find it so funny. This movie has a different style compared to most comedies. Overall, the story here is thin ice, but the humor is great.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

BrianMcCritic

Jun 22, 2013

A fun filled adventure that just proves you don't come between a man and his bike. A solid start in the very mixed directorial career of Mr. Tim Burton.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

smolheartbigpp

Jul 28, 2020

I am not a fan of Burton because he has these great characters and ideas but he uses them in such an uninspiring fashion that movie becomes painfully boring. I never laughed while watching this movie.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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