The tone ofTim Burton’s directorial debut is far from the likes of the director’s now signature style. Today,Burton is celebrated for his gothic horror and dark fantasy films, thanks to movies early in his career, likeBeetlejuiceandEdward Scissorhands. Burton’s unique style has been applied to movies and TV series alike, in both the live-action and animated mediums.
Burton’s style is terrifyingat times, but is often playful and instantly recognizable to those even vaguely familiar with his most celebrated work.Burton got his start as a director working on various short filmsthroughout the 1970s and early 1980s. It wasn’t until after Paul Reubens saw Burton’s short filmFrankenweeniethat the director would make his feature-film directing debut.
Tim Burton’s First Movie Was Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure
Burton’s first feature film is the adventure comedyPee-wee’s Big Adventure, based on Reubens' famous character of the same name.Pee-wee’s Big Adventureis a fun mystery moviecentered around the titular character’s search for his stolen bicycle. Reubens has stated that after getting a feel for Burton’s style within the first few minutes ofFrankenweenie, he knew he’d be the director.
Pee-wee’s Big Adventuremarks the first time Pee-wee was seen on the big screen, instantly becoming a favorite character for children and adults alike. For its lighthearted tone and Reubens' endearing portrayal of Pee-wee,Pee-wee’s Big Adventurehas continued to be celebratedby audiences, and is among Burton’s best movies, despite being inconsistent with the rest of his filmography.
Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure Isn’t Like Most Tim Burton Movies
Most ofBurton’s filmographycan be characterized by its distinct gothic visuals and use of eccentric characters. The title character inPee-wee’s Big Adventurealigns with the latter component of Burton’s films, butthe adventure comedy is noticeably without many horror elementsand is quite kid-friendly.
The narrative and whimsical atmosphere established inPee-wee’s Big Adventureis largely in the hands of Reubens, who not only created the character of Pee-wee Herman but also co-wrote the film’s screenplay. It’s clearPee-wee’s Big Adventureis Reubens' creative vision first and foremost, but early marks of Burton’s signature traits can be seen throughout the film as well.
There Are Still A Few Tim Burton Traits In Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure
The most significant of Burton’s stylish contributions toPee-wee’s Big Adventureis the Large Marge scene.The character first presents herself as a truck driver picking up a hitchhiking Pee-wee, before making a sudden and unsettling transformation into a bug-eyed monster.
Large Marge is easily one ofBurton’s best monster creations. Though her appearance inPee-wee’s Big Adventureis brief, the impression it left on audiences is everlasting.Burton also infuses a surreal aesthetic throughout the filmthat is tailored to Pee-wee’s childlike sense of wonder.
Pee-wee’s Big Adventurealsomarks the first of many collaborations between Burton and composer Danny Elfman. There have only been a fewBurton films that Elfman did not score—his absence being quite noticeable. The 40-year-long partnership between Elfman and Burton has been crucial to the latter’s projects, andPee-wee’s Big Adventureis where it all started.
