Originally posted by wpqx
Burton was trying something truly unique and original with Pee Wee, a comedy with art direction. I mean how many "silly" films are filled with such innovative lighting, surreal dream sequences, and come on Twisted Sister. Pee Wee's Big Adventure still cracks me up, particularly the scene of him driving through the billboard on a motorcycle.
I saw this movie when it came out on the big screen in 1985 (I was 11). I went to see it with my grandparents, and their reaction was, "yes, that was very nice". I think they were confounded. I thought it was an hilarious movie, but I also wondered if we Texans were really as obnoxious as we were portrayed in the movie (I'm referring to the scene where Pee Wee, to determine if he's in Texas, yells out loud in a diner, "The stars at night, are big and bright....", and the crowd in unison sings back, "Deep in the heart of Texas".) My grandmother's other reaction, "Well of course the Alamo doesn't have a basement...".