By Melissa Antoinette Garza
There are two types of people in this world. There are people who idolize and worship Paul Ruebens, and those that don’t understand the brilliance of Pee-Wee Herman.
Paul Reubens creation, Pee-Wee Herman, is a one-of-a-kind, fun, timeless character that is a different type of rebel and energy that some in the mainstream just don’t get. It’s like THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW or THE ADDAMS FAMILY.
Pee-Wee is different but he’s his own unique person and has his perception of the world. This adventure starts when Pee-Wee decides to go on an adventure outside of his hometown to go to his friend’s birthday party. He sees some women robbing a bank but take them for damsels in distress and picks them up. They hold a knife to him and Pee-Wee being Pee-Wee asks why the cops are after them. “Are you witches?”
Poor Pee-Wee is tied up and gagged by these three gals. The women look like they’re out of the fifties. They have a certain cool style where despite a tattoo on Freckles (Stephanie Beatriz), there is still a bit of innocence in their appearance. Pepper (Jessica Pohly), the mastermind, hires male strippers to show up and Pee-Wee is just confused. He does have an attraction to the third gal Bella (Alia Shawkat) who by coincidence has the nickname Pee-Wee.
The girls steal his car and he hitches a ride with a guy who makes odd magnets. The driver also has an affection for snakes and brings Pee-Wee to a snake farm. Herman hates snakes and doesn’t want to go. Even the fake snakes freak him out. Once there, he actually becomes disappointed by how boring it is. The owners allow him to go to the most frightening exhibit after signing a ridiculously long contract. Needless to say he gets his money worth. Poor Pee-Wee!
He takes a bus and runs into a farmer who allows him to stay the night. The man’s many daughters bring out food when introducing themselves. All nine act as though they are some reality show trying to vie for his attention. The farmer warns him to stay away from the gals, but they refuse to stay away from him. While in his bedroom, the girls try to buy their way in with different items. He tells them that he’s saving himself for marriage, but that doesn’t stop the amorous women.
Pee-Wee’s travels don’t end there as he continues his trip to get to the big city, meeting different and unique people on the way.
I absolutely loved this movie. Pee-Wee was one of my childhood crushes. I own his entire show, his movies, his live show and his Broadway show on DVD/Blu-ray. Pee-Wee is back. I love him.
I was cheering and laughing with him while watching the 1991 MTV Music Awards, and I watched BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER (1992) film, over and over again as a 13 year old girl because Ruebens was in it. I adored him as the hilarious vampire. I adore him in everything. This is no exception.
I’m not sure if Pee-Wee was created for the outcasts or if outcasts are just drawn to him. All of my closest friends have bad memories of our school years, but Pee-Wee Herman made life more beautiful and easier to endure. His colorful, fun, ridiculous personality made us feel as though being different and our own person didn’t was okay.
I don’t know if I believe that there’s a God or not, but I do know there’s a Pee-Wee Herman and his existence makes the world a better place. I was having a rough two days. I decided to cuddle with a blanket on the couch with my hubby and watch this. It made me laugh. Certain entertainment and comedy can help cure anxiety and fear more-so than any medication that a psychiatrist can prescribe.
Paul Ruebens is a talent actor, a creative genius and a wonderful comedian. I am eternally grateful that he had the brilliance to create Pee-Wee Herman. Also, the man doesn’t age.
Scared Stiff Rating: 10/10 Pee-Wee Always gets a Ten!
