Big Top Pee-wee (1988) ⭐ 5.1 | Adventure, Comedy, Romance (original) (raw)
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...i thought it was hilarious! Silly, stupid, outlandish, and unbelievable. Exactly what any and all of Pee-Wee's adventures should be. Sure it is no "Pee-Wee's Big Adventure", but that one has been done already. We don't need the same old, same old, that's what kills most sequels. That's what kills most everything that comes out of Hollywood. "Hangover 2" anybody? "Basic Instinct 2", can I get a witness?! Or, the worst of the worst, the remakes of incredible foreign films, just because most Americans hate to read. If you are looking for a cinematic experience then rent yourself a Peter Greenaway film, but if you are looking to loose yourself in a fantastic fantasy land full of funny then look no further than "Big Top Pee-Wee".
This is a very difficult movie to appreciate. Or it may be a very simple movie to appreciate, depending on who you are.
Have a look at the following movies, and if you see at least 1 that you really like from EACH category, then you'll probably enjoy "Big Top Pee-Wee".
CATEGORY A ----------------------------
Pee-wee's Big Adventure
Edward Scissorhands
The Fall
Labyrinth
CATEGORY B ----------------------------
Free Willy
E.T.
Anything by Walt Disney
The Muppet Movie
Category A movies are fairy tales for adults. Category B movies are straightforward kid's movies. In order to appreciate "Big Top Pee-wee" you have to be ready for either. You have to expect some jokes & gags that only adults will recognize (mildly sexual, cynical or taboo: such as the cranky old lady's hilarious reference to bulimia), but overall the film takes the format of a kid's movie, with lots of cute animals, predictable slapstick and a cheerful approach, right down to the cheezy sing-song finale.
I think it's the latter--the category B "kid" content--that threw off a lot of fans. The original "Pee-wee" was an adult film packaged in a kid's presentation. But this is the opposite: a kid's film in adult clothing.
As such, the gags aren't as subtle & witty as adult comedies usually are. Like a Saturday morning kids show, "Big Top Pee-wee" comes on strong with exaggerated and hyper-enthusiastic dialogue, overt sight gags & corny action. This may turn off a lot of adults expecting the more biting, tongue-in-cheek comedy of the original Pee-wee.
All the same, there are some classic comedic moments that adults & kids alike will enjoy. The whole "I just wanted a cheese sandwich!" scene had me rolling. I also liked the 1st picnic with Winnie which could easily have been a deleted scene in the original Pee-wee. The creepy townsfolk in general, contrasted against Pee-wee's oblivious optimism, provided great entertainment. But be forewarned, these acidic gags are sparsely presented. Most of the film is straightforward silliness, suitable for kids & young minds.
Being a die-hard fan of the original film, and being a fan of adult fairy tales in general, I have a love-hate relationship with this movie and that's why I can't rate it. But I've seen it 4 times if that's any indication of how compelling it is. My gut says I shouldn't recommend it to everyone, but all the same, there will be a few of you out there who will really enjoy this flick. If you're a kid at heart, don't hesitate.
I dedicate this review of Big Top Pee-wee to the late Paul Reubens
While I had this movie on my recording device for months, I only decided to now watch it because of the recent passing of Paul Reubens. This was his second movie as Pee Wee Herman after Pee Wee's Big Adventure. This also came out when he was also doing his TV show "Pee Wee's Playhouse" which was a very popular Saturday morning program for kids. I recognized at the time that Pee Wee was a little more adult-like in some behavior (like what he does to the Penelope Ann Miller character during their picnic scene) and I also knew about the triangle that would develop when Valeria Golino would appear. Still, it's mostly a kiddie-vibe much of the time since in this one Pee Wee lives in a farm with animals he treats like friends and welcomes the circus after a storm brings them to his farm though the other townspeople (who seem mostly elderly) don't welcome them. The first 30 minutes provides plenty of hilarity while the rest of it is more leisurely with some amusements. The ending seemed anti-climatic but I enjoyed this for what it was. A few years after this, Paul Reubens would get scandalized when he got caught doing something in an adult film cinema causing him to be blacklisted for a while. Be that as it may, he was surely one of the most unique of comic minds, that's for sure! Rest in peace.
This sequel has nothing to do with Pee-wee's Big Adventure.
Therefore, I wouldn't actually even say it's a sequel. First of all Pee-wee's back but not with his super cool bike or his super cool house with all the gadgets. Not even with the same people. Where were Dottie, Francis, Mario, Speck(his dog), the biker gang, or even Simone?? Noone but Pee-wee himself was in the second movie. That was a major let down. Pee-wee goes from living in California to living in a small farm in the middle of the suburbs. His pet is a talking pig and the rest of the movie is just blah. If they knew Pee-wee was for kids, I don't see why they had to put so much kissing in this movie. Even the woman Pee-wee falls in love with is boring and has the world's most annoying accent. I completely disliked it and I even ended up not liking Pee-wee anymore. Stick to the first one and that's it!! Unless you'd rather be let down, then watch the second one!! What a waste of time, film, money, etc.
Poorly structured but just about funny weird and funny ha-ha often enough to watch
Pee Wee Herman is a laid back farmer on his rather unusual farm in small town America. He looks after his animals and has a tight security lab where he develops wonderful new plants and treatments. One day a storm hits his town and he finds himself helping out the inhabitants of a travelling circus. When the town shuns the circus, Pee Wee offers to put them up at his farm. However the strange and wonderful folks in the circus completely change his life, not to mention the impact beautiful acrobat xxx has.
First of all, here's a simple yardstick if you dislike Reubens' sense of humour, then you'll dislike this film intently. If you like him then this should be OK. For the rest of us who fall somewhere in the `indifferent' camp, then this is passable but not much more than that. To discuss plot is unfair as that is not what this film is about. However some degree of narrative would have been nice. Beyond this the film becomes a series of little sketches with a common theme.
Of these, some work well and some don't. There is just about enough off-beat, imaginative humour to keep the film going. The majority of the scenes are amusing in a weird way, some are laugh out loud funny and some just don't work and drag a bit. Even if your sense of humour is this way inclined it may be a little thin to satisfy.
Reubens is OK, doing his usual camp clowning thing in that same suit. I don't dislike him and found him funny when he was in a good scene. Kris Kristofferson is simply a novelty here, he has nothing of substance to do other than be a famous face in a film. Golino is pretty but doesn't have much humour to bring. The potentially funniest character was the pig, but he didn't get anywhere near enough in the way of lines.
Overall this is one for fans, but those who are OK with Herman's humour may get a few laughs. However, for many, this will be just amusing and may not be worth spending 90 minutes on.
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By what name was Big Top Pee-wee (1988) officially released in India in English?