(6.18) Pretty much the perfect movie. Every single minute of ‘Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure’ is a feast. Co-written by Paul Reubens and Phil Hartman, this is 91 solid minutes of goofy joy — no padding.
The cartoonish and childish character Pee Wee Herman goes on a big adventure for the first time ever when his beloved shiny new bicycle is stolen by his nemesis Francis Buxton, a fellow man-child and neighborhood rich “kid.” And he sets off on an obsessive cross-country journey, determined to recover it. Pee-wee’s awkward and childish attempts to be cool and mature.
(Proof of Vincent Canby’s malignant and abandoned heart can be found in his NYT review, “the most barren comedy I’ve seen in years, maybe ever.” He’s dead now.)
BUT (everybody’s got a big but) good news for the rest of the universe, a new movie ‘Pee-Wee’s Big Holiday’ is in the works for Netflix. Paul Reubens first gave hints last fall on the Tonight Show. Judd Apatow is producing (keep him away from the script, pleeeze) and John Lee (Broad City, Amy Shumer) is the director.
‘Big Adventure’ is rated PG for Mild Violence, Adult Situations (well, kinda), and is Suitable for Children (ya think?).
[Additional Note: Free concert before movie at 6:30pm from Arc Iris!]
Free, sundown, Thursday, June 18, Movies on the Block, Grant’s Block, Westminster at Union Street, (directions)