Common Sense Note
The story here is uninspired, but children -- as well as adult fans of the peculiar cult character -- will enjoy seeing Paul Reubens back in his trademark red bow tie. Still, you're better off checking out Pee-wee's Big Adventure. The video is also hindered by what seems to be the wrong director at the helm. This mildly entertaining story is short on energy and excitement. Only Danny Elfman's exhilarating score maintains its enthusiasm throughout. But kids may like it. Its non-threatening circus people, a talking pig, and the peculiar lure of Pee-Wee himself should be enough to interest 6- to 8-year-olds. Older kids and preteens will enjoy the goofy story and odd characters.
Families who watch this film may want to talk about Pee-Wee's character. How is he different than most people? Why would his character become so popular? Can you think of other off-beat characters who have achieved fame?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Scott G. Mignola
Pee-wee Herman (Paul Reubens) has a farm, and a talking pig named Vance, too. Country life agrees with him, it seems. He has big pancake breakfasts for his animals, performs botanical experiments in his free time (you should see his hotdog tree), and is engaged to the town's pretty schoolteacher, Winnie (Penelope Ann Miller).
It's a life of contentment -- or would be if a storm hadn't blown a large circus and accompanying human oddities onto his property. Pee-wee finds himself in a quandary when he falls for beautiful trapeze artist Gina Piccolapupula (Valeria Golino). What should he do? Stay on the farm and marry Winnie, or follow his heart and find a niche for himself under the big top?
Fans of the groundbreaking children's show Pee-wee's Playhouse will find this second feature starring Paul Reubens' famous alter ego rather slow and clumsy by comparison. Those new to cult figure Pee-wee Herman are advised to acquaint themselves elsewhere, as this venture may seem little more than a painful curiosity.
Tim Burton made a wildly inspired first Pee-wee feature, Pee-wee's Big Adventure, but director Randal Kleiser (Grease; Honey, I Blew Up the Kid) doesn't bring the proper sensibility to the second movie.
Co-written by Reubens and George McGrath (the voice of Playhouse's Globey), the script undermines Pee-wee's peculiar man-boy appeal by casting him as romantic figure. By hopping libidinously on his fiancée and kissing a beautiful Italian circus performer, he's obviously meant to be a sort of human oddity. He certainly is that, but a lot of potential humor is sacrificed for the effect.
Still, kids will find Pee-Wee hard to resist. They'll also like Vance the talking pig and the circus folk, including a tiny lady, a dog-faced boy, a mermaid, and the ringmaster, played by an out-of-place Kris Kristofferson. Teenagers and adults will get a lot more laughs seeing Reubens as a pungent would-be superhero in Mystery Men.
Related videos: Pee-wee's Playhouse Christmas Special, Pee-wee's Big Adventure, Mystery Men, Grease, Honey, I Blew Up the Kids.
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