Plot: What’s it about?
A boy man and his bike.
It’s hard to believe a director like Tim Burton started out with a movie like this. Don’t get me wrong, I love this movie and it has always been one of my favorites. But when you think dark and dismal you basically think of either David Fincher movies or Tim Burton. He’s done Batman, Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands and The Nightmare Before Christmas just to name a few. The titles alone radiate darkness, and it’s reflected in the content of his movies. Still, you have to start somewhere, and Pee Wee’s Big Adventure paved the way for the aforementioned films. As much of a contrast from his more recent movies, this movie is bright and vivid and full of color. As it should be – it’s a story about a boy and his bike!
We meet Pee Wee (Paul Ruebens) from the beginning. He has got to be the happiest man alive, he loves his bike and dreams of winning the Tour de France! Everything is right in his happy, colorful world until a local spoiled rich kid steals it. Pee Wee has no proof of this and neither do we, but as it turns out he does have it and Pee Wee is bound and determined to get it back. So he sets off in search of his bike, based on a few tips of people who have seen it. It even leads him to the Alamo of all places! You might say that the people that he meets along the way are somewhat of an “interesting” bunch. There’s a seven foot tall lumberjack who doesn’t want his girlfriend to experience her true joy in life…going to France. There’s the escaped convict that gives Pee Wee a lift until he runs his car off a cliff and then there’s Large Marge. Large Marge is a truck driver who picks Pee Wee up and gives him a lift, only Pee Wee discovers that she has been dead for 10 years! Weird! Of course, things just wouldn’t be right if Pee Wee didn’t find his bike, but let’s just say that it’s really close to home.
It’s hard to believe that the film is now over twenty five years old, heck I remember seeing it in the theater back in 1985. Paul Ruebens has since had some problems, but the movie was popular enough to inspire a spin-off Big Top Pee Wee, though that one wasn’t nearly as successful. What the movie really did was put Tim Burton on the map and his collaboration with composer Danny Elfman has never been better. Though I’ve described Pee Wee’s Big Adventure as a bright and happy movie, it does have its dark spots. This isn’t like “cover your eyes” scary, but there’s a bit of trademark Burton in there.
Video: How does it look?
Buton’s stock and trade has been darker films and though Pee Wee’s Big Adventure does contain some of those segments, this is more of a festival of light and color. This new 1.85:1 HEVC 4K image from Criterion has been given a facelift. Colors are a lot more vibrant with greens, reds and blues leaping off the screen. Detail has also been bumped up making for a much cleaner image overall. Flesh tones look normal and solid. The film has a very “film” like quality to it and fans should enjoy this presentation.
Audio: How does it sound?
The sound mix for the film has been given a new DTS HD Master Audio mix that sounds very robust. Danny Elfman’s score is in top form here, it’s perhaps one of his best in my humble opinion. It sounds a bit more robust and belive it or not, I actually listen to this score on my iPod from time to time. Vocals are very strong and consistent, we can hear Pee Wee’s giggle in full uncompressed sound. Certainly the mix isn’t as aggressive as those made today, but it’s a very nice, solid soundtrack that’s sure to please.
Supplements: What are the extras?
Several of the supplements from earlier releases has made the cut to this Criterion disc along with a few new additions.
- Audio Commentary – Burton and actor-co writer Paul Reubens make for a great track and the duo tell of stories from the set, how they saved money by using practical effects and even scaling back on some larger, more budget-unfriendly scenes. It’s a great track.
- Audio Commentary – Composer Danny Elfman, who’s been a longtime collaborator with Burton, gets his own track as he takes a different standpoint on the film (for obvious reasons).
- Richard Ayoade – Comedian and filmmaker Richard Ayoade chats with Tim Burton in this new segment. Ayoade tries his best to channel his inner kid as he talks with the acclaimed director.
- Michael Varhol, Billy Weber, David L. Snyder, Richard Abramson – This new segment, conducted by critic Mark Olsen, essentially focuses on how this motley crew was attracted to the project.
- Hollywood’s Master Storytellers – This is a 2005 interview with star and writer Paul Reubens who tells of the film’s darker roots, but how it was eventually brightened up for the release we now know.
- 40th Anniversary Screening – Presented by Nostalgic Nebula and hosted by comedian Dana Gould is just that, though with the departed Paul Reubens, there’s a void that will (and will likely never be) filled.
- Deleted scenes
- Theatrical Trailer
- Illustrated Booklet – An essay by radio and podcast host Jesse Thorn New cover by Luigi Olivadoti.
The Bottom Line
I recall seeing this film in theaters and the one scene that stood out was the one with Large Marge. Little did we know all the films that the then rookie director Tim Burton would regale us with. Pee Wee’s Big Adventure might seem an odd choice for the Criterion Collection, but it’s here and it’s earned its spot.
