Pee-wee's Big Holiday

I really didn't have high expectations for this but I found myself enjoying it. At first I was put off by the heavy makeup on Paul Reubens to try and hide his age, plus the sad reality that Reubens can no longer do the distinctive Pee Wee voice quite right. So, the first few minutes into this I was doubtful I would be able to finish it. But gradually I began to look past those things because it's funny and charming with a delightfully corny approach that reminded me of the older movies and the TV series. Not every gag works but I think most of them are at least worth a chuckle. There's a very simple but effective gag involving a balloon at one point that had me in stitches. In an age where every stand-up comic uses trite observational humor and every comedy film seems to rely on dick jokes, it's refreshing to see something prove "old school" humor still works. Once you get past the creepy makeup and the voice, it's a fun movie. Sure it's mostly an exercise in nostalgia for those of us who grew up watching Pee Wee but I don't really think that's a negative.