Big Top Pee-Wee(1988)- User Reviews

Don't get me wrong....like most children of the '80s, I am a die-hard Pee-Wee fan. But, this movie is just too much. Unlike "Pee-Wee's Big Adventure", "Big Top Pee-Wee" is too slow-paced and not anything even ressembling the first movie. It's not even set in the same time-frame!! The first movie, made in '84, was set in the '80s. This one, made in '87, was set in the friggin' '40s!!! Why have him back in time??? And Pee-Wee becoming a sex symbol....sorry, not exactly a pleasant thought. Nothing against Pee-Wee, but to me...the thought of Pee-Wee getting it on is almost as awkward and uncomfortable as watching your parents kissing. Of course, we never actually see Pee-Wee having sex, but it is implied when Pee-Wee and his beautiful love interest, Gina, fall on the bed kissing, and we see visuals of trains going into tunnels, firewords, oil explosions and mud wrestling. Even Pee-Wee jumping his fiance's bones one minute, then gacking over an egg salad sandwhich is somewhat disturbing. Ironic how a few short years later, our beloved Pee-Wee would get into trouble for "taking it out" at a porno theater. In short, this was a sort of "jump-the-shark" moment for Pee-Wee Herman. He should have just stayed the eternal man/child we all came to know and love....but, I guess even men who act like little boys have needs, too.