Amazon.com video review:
Former animator Tim Burton (Beetlejuice, Edward
Scissorhands, Ed Wood, Batman, Mars Attacks!)
made his feature directorial debut with this delightful comedy,
coscripted by the late Phil Hartman (who also appears briefly as a
reporter). Wisely, they keep the story simple so as to concentrate on
the characters: Pee-wee's most prized possession, his shiny new
bicycle, is stolen, 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 ("I meant to do that!!") are
hysterical, as when he tells his girlfriend (Elizabeth Daly): "There's
things about me you don't know, Dottie. Things you wouldn't
understand. Things you couldn't understand. Things you shouldn't
understand.... I'm a loner, Dottie. A rebel." Look for Saturday
Night Live vet Jan Hooks in a hilarious bit as a tour guide at the
Alamo. And beware of Large Marge! --Jim Emerson
