The Ballad of Little Joe (2003)

In this VeggieTales movie, apparently Bob and Larry had a misunderstanding. Larry thought Bob said they could do a Western-themed story, and Bob wants to do a Bible story. After some compromising, they agree to do a Western-Bible story, and thus “The Ballad of Little Joe” is born. Little Joe, played by Larry the Cucumber, is a very beloved son. One of twelve, he is favored about all the others, and for his birthday, he gets an embroidered vest. This doesn’t sit well with the brothers (played by the French peas) who only got mittens for their birthdays. Their jealousy … Continue reading

Jonah (2002)

“Jonah” is the first full-length feature film produced by Big Idea, and was the dream of Phil Vischer from the inception of the company. To date, it is the only feature film released and now that Phil no longer owns Big Idea, who knows if there will be another. But we’ll take what we can get when we can get it. Bob the Tomato is driving a busload of kids to a concert starring Twippo, their favorite children’s song artist. Laura Carrot won the golden ticket and will get to meet Twippo, and she’s having a marvelous time rubbing it … Continue reading

The Toy That Saved Christmas (2002)

Okay, so it’s not Christmas anymore, but I’m trying to review the VeggieTales movies in order and this one comes next. We’ll keep the spirit of Christmas alive all year! Once upon a time, there was a town that didn’t “get” Christmas. They had it, but they didn’t understand it. They thought it was solely for the purpose of getting presents, and the television commercials didn’t help any. All day long, the people were bombarded with advertisements specifically designed to make the children whine and scream for that particular toy. It was a cranky, unhappy town. Up on the hill … Continue reading

Josh and the Big Wall (2002)

“Josh and the Big Wall” is the movie that started it all for the Pinkston family. That’s right; it’s the movie my mom brought home from Virginia, babbling about produce all the way. Once I saw it, I started babbling about produce too. You might say, we now speak celery. This VeggieTales video tells us the story of Joshua (Larry the Cucumber) the man who was chosen to be prophet upon the death of Moses. Moses had led the children of Israel out of Egypt and through the wilderness, but he died before they actually entered the Promised Land. It … Continue reading

Dave and the Giant Pickle (1996)

In this VeggieTales movie, we find Bob and Larry on the kitchen counter, as usual. What is not usual is Larry’s outfit. He’s dressed as a superhero, with plungers sticking out from his head as ears, and he wants to be called “Larry Boy.” He’s decided that he’s not very special, but if he was a super hero, then he’d be really, really special. Bob decides that what Larry needs (aside from a new wardrobe manager) is a lesson in self-esteem, and so he tells him the story of David and Goliath. David (Junior Asparagus) lived on a sheep ranch … Continue reading

Rack, Shack, and Benny (1995)

In this VeggieTales adaptation of the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednigo, we find that Nebby K. Nezzar, (read it quickly to translate as Nebuchadnezzar) the owner of a chocolate factory, has hired Rack, Shack and Benny (also known as Bob, Larry, and Junior) to work for him. He is so impressed with their performance that he promotes them to junior executives. Then he lets them in on a little secret: the next morning, he’s going to make a rule that everyone who works in the factory has to bow down to a giant statue of a chocolate bunny and … Continue reading

Are You My Neighbor? (1995)

The next installment in the VeggieTales series is called “Are You My Neighbor?” and teaches children (and their parents) that even if someone is different from you, you still have the duty and privilege of watching out for them and being their friend. The first story is called “Tale of Two Cities.” Once upon a time, there were two cities that faced each other, and they spent all their time flinging stuff over their city walls. You see, in one city, they wore shoes on their heads, and in the other city, they wore pots on their heads. Neither city … Continue reading

God Wants Me to Forgive Them? (1994)

This second movie in the VeggieTales series teaches children that we are supposed to forgive those who have hurt us. First we see a Veggie version of “The Grapes of Wrath,” told with actual grapes. Junior is outside playing when the Grapes drive by and hit a rock. Junior comes forward to make sure everyone is okay, but the Grapes start teasing him about his name, his hat, his hair, anything that comes to mind. Turns out these grapes are pretty wrathful. Junior wants to yell at them, but his father tells him how important it is to forgive. Taking … Continue reading