Tim Burton celebrates 40 years of filmmaking this year, which makes it the ideal time to look back atPee-Wee’s Big Adventure, which comes from a critical period in the director’s career. Across four decades, Burton has been responsible for some of the most iconic characters in cinema. FromBeetlejuicetoBatmantoEdward Scissorhands, Burton is doubtlessly one of the most influential directors in Hollywood. Theimportant hallmarks of Burton’s moviesensure his inimitable style presents itself effectively, and despite facing continuous criticism during the 2000s, Burton’s recentsuccess withBeetlejuice 2is a testament to his greatest strengths.
Pee-Wee’s Big Adventurehit theaters in 1985, and the whimsical feature-length film marks Burton’s directorial debut. On the surface, themovie set lacks Burton’s signature stampwith its costume designs and production value. However,Pee-Wee’s Big Adventurehas a longevity that has become increasingly associated with many of Burton’s classics. Paul Reubens has a mighty task as the film’s protagonist, balancing the childlike humor to sell his performance, but not going so far as to become aggravating. On paper,Pee-Wee’s Big Adventureis a film that shouldn’t work as well as it does, but it’s become a beloved Burton classic.
Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure Is 40 Years Old This Year, And It’s Become Something Of A Cult Classic
Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure Is Completely Different From The Rest Of Burton’s Filmography
Pee-Wee’s Big Adventureis a rare scenario where the movie achieved commercial success at the box office during its release while managing to gain the status of a cult classic. Grossing $40 million globally,Pee-Wee’s Big Adventurewas so popular that it spawned two sequels and a spin-off TV show. Four decades later, the movie is still accumulating positive reviews. While it is certainly an acquired taste,Pee-Wee’s Big Adventureis worth a viewing for Burton’s skill alone — as well asDanny Elfman’sPee-Weescore, although Elfman believed he was not the right person for the job, and that it would ruin his career.
At its very core,Pee-Wee’s Big Adventureis a coming-of-age story that is adapted from Paul Reubens' comedy club act. Reuben created the character in the late 1970s for an improvisation group based in Los Angeles. The popularity of this absurd and bizarre figure is entirely owed to Reuben’s delicate understanding of the character, meaning performing his act on stage years before the film was crucial to his on-screen performance. Some combination of the movie’s unconventional origins, distinct personality, mixed reviews at the time of release, and rise in acclaim in the decades since cemented its cult label.
Tim Burton’s Career Owes A Lot To Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure
Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure Was The Beginning Of Many Of Burton’s Collaborations
Pee-Wee’s Big Adventureis the film that kick-started Burton’s career, even if Burton would likely have taken off regardless. However,many of the collaborations between the director and his prominent returning actors are a result ofPee-Wee’s Big Adventure. Most notable isBurton’s partnership with Michael Keaton; the famed actor was approached shortly after Burton’s debut forBeetlejuice. Although Keaton had not watchedPee-Wee’s Big Adventurein its entirety at that point, he said: “I just knew this guy was something."(viaGQ) After the immense success of Burton’s horror, Burton went on to helmBatmanwith Keaton one year later.
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Pee-Wee’s Big Adventureundoubtedly led to Burton gaining the momentum he did so fast. The first feature film Burton directed put him into the spotlight at the time Keaton was establishing himself after his breakout role in the 1982 film,Night Shift. Burton’s collaboration with the actor then resulted in some of the most lucrative opportunities in his whole career. The celebrated director became friends with Johnny Depp shortly after, which was a landmark event in his professional career. Burton introduced Depp to his gothic universe, and their partnership has resulted in eight films — mostly garnering critical acclaim.
Tim Burton’s Movies Fell Off During The Mid-2000s, But He’s Regaining His Form
Burton’s Remakes Did Not Perform Well At The Box Office
Every success Burton has experienced has been accompanied by some considerable low points throughout his career. These box office flops primarily occurred during a period in the 2000s, whena number of Burton’s remakes were met with disdainby audiences.Planet of the Apesis perhaps the first indication of Burton’s brief downfall. Regardless of its financial success,Burton’sPlanet of the Apeswas not received well by critics. Commentary on the movie argued that the sci-fi did not look or feel like a Burton movie, which was extremely damaging to the franchise considering the director’s powerful approach to storytelling.
Planet of the Apes
2001
43%
27%
2010
50%
55%
2012
35%
46%
2019
47%
The dire performance was later echoed in two ofBurton’s worst-rated films,Alice in WonderlandandDark Shadows. Both films received “rotten” scores on Rotten Tomatoes, whereDark Shadowsis ranked the lowest in Burton’s entire filmography. It is rather hard to reason why Burton began to fall off during a brief period, as he has previously demonstrated that he can successfully translate established IPs to the big screen.Alice in Wonderlandwas notably a huge commercial success.Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, or, to some extent,Batman, are also proof of Burton’s adaptation skills.
It appears that the return to a nostalgia-driven franchise was precisely the formula Burton needed to regain box-office leadership.
It is more likely that the issue is because these films are less adventurous than Burton is capable of. That being said,Burton is beginning to regain his form with his most recent film,Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.Although Burton’s preceding film wasDumbo, which is famously regarded as a failure, its poor performance has little bearing on the return of “the ghost with the most.” After 36 years since the original movie, audiences were thrilled to see the return ofBeetlejuice’s main cast, leading to the sequel being a major hit with audiences.
Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure & Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Prove Tim Burton’s Offbeat Comedy Formula Hasn’t Become Stale
Tim Burton’s Humor Has Always Been Eccentric & Outlandish
It appears that the return to a nostalgia-driven franchise was precisely the formula Burton needed to regain box-office leadership. Burton is generally known for his gothic aesthetic, but his comedic format is equally noteworthy. WhilePee-Wee’s Big AdventureandBeetlejuice Beetlejuiceare very different movies, the fundamental comedy is actually quite similar. This is in the sense that they both rely on outlandish humor, albeit their methods of delivery differ. WhilePee-Wee’s Big Adventuredepends upon fairly juvenile humor,Beetlejuice’s sequel provides a more refined adult-themed format to appeal to a wider audience.
Burton’s offbeat comedy formula works so well because, beneath the surface of the quick wit, is an exploration of loneliness and acceptance.
Burton’s style may have become formulaic, but his ability to blend comedy with fantasy, or horror, in refreshing new ways ensures his films remain entertaining. Burton’s offbeat comedy formula works so well because, beneath the surface of his quick wit, his films are an exploration of loneliness and acceptance. These elements resonate with audiences and add extra layers to his work. It is interesting to see howthis comedic approach remains timeless and integral to Burton’s cinematic style, even 40 years after the success ofPee-Wee’s Big Adventure.
Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure
Cast
Pee-Wee is an eccentric man with childish behavior. He embarks on the greatest adventure of his life when he sets off in search of his most precious possession: his red bicycle, which has been stolen in broad daylight. Pee-Wee travels the length and breadth of the country to find it, and along the way meets new people and encounters bizarre situations.
