With his first feature, Burton established himself as a director with a unique personal style. Pee-wee embarks on a cross-country search for his missing bicycle, a scenario that allows Burton to indulge in whimsical set pieces and extravagant sight gags. Like the elaborate Rube Goldberg–esque contraption (a familiar Burton motif) that facilitates Pee-wee’s morning routine, the simple plot unfolds in visually complex ways. The climactic ride through the Warner Bros. back lot is a montage of zany fun as Pee-wee and his beloved bike zoom through a 1960s beach-party, the North Pole, a Godzilla rampage, a Twisted Sister music video, and Tarzan’s jungle.
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