Pee-wee's Big Holiday

"Pee-Wee's Big Holiday" is the latest film made specifically for Netflix and it's debuted this weekend. After seeing it, I think that if you loved Paul Rubens' first starring film, "Pee-Wee's Big Adventure", you'll love this picture as well. And, if "Pee-Wee's Big Adventure" is not your idea of fun, you'll find this one tough viewing. As for me, I enjoyed it and thought it was a very amiable film...and not a lot more. But, in my case, I think that's enough.

The style of the film is pretty much the same as in the previous film...Pee-Wee leaves his small town and goes on a journey across America. Along the way, he has a variety of adventures, meets some nice people and brightens up the lives of most everyone he meets. Why would he leave his town? Because he's just met the movie star Joe Manganiello ("Magic Mike") and the pair instantly bond and become friends...and Joe has invited Pee-Wee to his giant birthday party in New York. But Pee-Wee has to overcome his fear of leaving town for the first time in his life...which means, incidentally, that Pee-Wee has absolutely no recollection whatsoever of the first film!

This Apatow-Rubens Production is pleasant viewing and the best thing about the film is its wonderful sense of style. Pee-Wee's hometown is retro in every way...sort of like a 1950s TV series in real life. Everyone is nice, the cars are all gorgeous 50s models and there is a very, very strong sense of nostalgia. Pee-Wee is, well, Pee- Wee...and if you like his shtick from his previous two starring films (he also made the less than famous Big Top Pee-Wee), you'll enjoy this as well. The only things I didn't like is that the film, while enjoyable, took very few risks. It's essentially his first (and best) film all over again in many ways. Also, there's a sequence involving balloons and the Amish that goes on a bit too long. But otherwise, it's a nice film for the family--parents who enjoy Pee-Wee and kids who can't help but like the guy. Will it change your life? Not in the least...but it's nice, enjoyable and worth your time.

A fateful meeting with a mysterious stranger inspires Pee-wee Herman to take his first-ever holiday in this epic story of friendship and destiny.

This movie is not going to knock your socks off, and it never quite reaches the level of "Pee-Wee's Big Adventure", but it is still a fun movie with plenty of interesting characters and situations. If this film is as successful as it seems to be (the reviews are generally positive), I hope they get another one going soon. With Judd Apatow and Paul Rust on board, Pee-Wee is back! I did find it interesting that they kept the celebrity factor rather low. With the names attached, they could have had an endless stream of celebrity cameos, but it was minor. More or less, it was a string of actors who are better known for their faces than their names. (Many times throughout the film I had to look up different actors to make the connection, such as Farmer Brown being the same actor who played Ted's father in "Bill and Ted".)

This one really brought back memories for me. Pee Wee Herman has been gone for far too long. I am very happy to see Paul Reubens making Pee Wee Herman movies again. What happened to that poor man was SO UNFAIR! He never really did anything wrong and he paid a huge price for it.

If you hated the old Pee Wee Herman movies, this one will not turn you into a fan. But for those of us who loved this character, this movie is a real treat.

Yes, it is corny and goofy, but isn't that what Pee Wee Herman is supposed to be? It doesn't have any profound messages, it is just a lot of fun and a movie that you can watch with your kids.

I really didn't have high expectations for this but I found myself enjoying it. At first I was put off by the heavy makeup on Paul Reubens to try and hide his age, plus the sad reality that Reubens can no longer do the distinctive Pee Wee voice quite right. So, the first few minutes into this I was doubtful I would be able to finish it. But gradually I began to look past those things because it's funny and charming with a delightfully corny approach that reminded me of the older movies and the TV series. Not every gag works but I think most of them are at least worth a chuckle. There's a very simple but effective gag involving a balloon at one point that had me in stitches. In an age where every stand-up comic uses trite observational humor and every comedy film seems to rely on dick jokes, it's refreshing to see something prove "old school" humor still works. Once you get past the creepy makeup and the voice, it's a fun movie. Sure it's mostly an exercise in nostalgia for those of us who grew up watching Pee Wee but I don't really think that's a negative.

The Man-child has not aged a bit.

Pee Wee goes Big for the third time. In the Big Holiday, Pee Wee has a brief but memorable encounter with a fictional Joe Manganiello (played by the real Joe Manganiello) and as, such is invited to his birthday bash in New York, so for the first time, ever he leaves the town of fiarville to journey to New York, and what a journey.

Similar to his first movie, Pee Wee's Big Adventure, Pee Wee travels across America to get to New York, along the way meeting some strange an usual characters, like a group of female bank robbers on the run and an old Framer with too many daughters that see Pee Wee as a catch, all in the name of Friendship. Who wouldn't want to be friends with Pee Wee Herman? Who wouldn't want to be friends with Joe Manganiello?

Time has agreed with Pee Wee. He's as ageless as a cartoon character. It successfully brought me back to my child hood. I still want to live in Pee Wee's house.

Pee Wee's Big Holiday was funny in it's purest form as Herman yelled out jokes for everyone.

Very nice, Way to go Netflix.