  JONAHA VeggieTales MovieReviewed by: Douglas M. Downs Excellent!
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience:
Family
Genre:
Animated Comedy
Length:
1 hr. 22 min.
Starring: voices of Phil Vischer, Mike Nawrocki, Kristin Blegen, Lisa Vischer, Kristin Blegan | Directed by: Mike Nawrocki, Phil Vischer | Produced by: Ameake Owens | Written by: Mike Nawrocki, Phil Vischer | Distributor: FHE Pictures Alright… I confess! I love the creative genius that comes jammed packed into every VeggieTales episode. Prior to the 1993 release of “Where’s God When I’m S-Scared?,” I have been an admirer of computer animation. I enjoyed the sample videos that you could buy at Radio Shack. Each video would demonstrate the groundbreaking progress being made. I even purchased my first Veggie episode for that very reason.
Did you also know that VeggieTales now has the distinction of being the most successful direct-to-video product in the past decade? I always thought it would be wonderful if our VeggieFriends would one day find themselves on the Big Screen… Behold! JONAH—A VeggieTales Movie.
I hope much success for the team at Big Idea. I know that this VeggieFan would enjoy seeing Larry Boy on the big screen. I can see it now… “Larry Boy and the Pitiful PrideMonster from Planet-X.” One final note—stay to the end of the credits for the final Silly Song and let’s give this film a boost by seeing it more than once!
Year of Release—2002 (October 4th)  Positive—This movie is superb. The filmmaking quality is the “creme de la creme.” Jonah shows a powerful message about God without any compromise. What more could Christians want in a movie? I feel that the more we spend our money on movies like this one, the more Hollywood recognizes that this is the type of entertainment we want to see. Christians of all ages need to pack the movie theatres in support of such Godly uncompromising films. I say “two thumbs up” for a job well done by Big Ideas Productions.
[Excellent! / 5] —Karen Flores, age 37 Positive—I went to see this movie with a few other college students, and we all thought it was hysterical! It has a lot of very off-the-wall, very creative humor. And best yet, it stays true to the Biblical account, even when it changes certain details to make them more child-friendly (such as the game of go-fish to see who had done something to bring on the storm.) A definite must-see.
[Excellent! / 5] —Cheryl, age 19 Positive—Jonah is a wonderful movie full of great production values, as well as Christian values. Songs, silliness, in-jokes, great lessons and a well-scripted movie make for one of the better films of late. Great kid and adult movie. It might be a bit long for the kids though. Two thumbs up (if I had hands.)
[Excellent! / 5] —Craig, age 32 Positive—Though intended for a young audience, Veggie Tales Jonah features the kind of sharp humor and exuberant songs that win over older hearts as well. The people at Big Ideas productions have used their small budget and limited cast to create first-rate, Disney-rivaling entertainment. Clearly, these are people who do their work as unto the Lord. In this adaptation, the familiar characters of Bob the Tomato, Larry the Cucumber, and the other pirates “who don’t do anything” relate the principles found in Jonah to our lives today. Mercy, compassion, and obedience to God are a major focus, but the story never feels like a lecture and the comical tone is carried through to the end. I particularly love that Veggie Tales animation copies no one but itself. Both the look of the film and its clever/loopy mix of humor are utterly unique. And while I did say it’s Disney-rivaling entertainment, it in no way tries to copy their formulaic style of story telling. It’s wonderful to be able to recommend this film without reserve. If you’ve been looking for a movie to bring your children’s friends (and maybe even their parents) to, Jonah is it. Truly, my prayer is that others in the Christian film industry will be inspired by the creativity of the Veggie Tales team and realize, we don’t have to make bad copies of the world’s movies—we have a direct line to the greatest creative genius in the universe. If we look to him for inspiration, I have no doubt that our movies will be the most innovative, imaginative, and, yes, even entertaining thing going. In the meantime, let’s hope those pirates keep not doing their thing!
—Megan Basham Positive—This movie was just excellent. Our children are one and not quite three and both watched the whole thing! The film taught about mercy and compassion, illustrating the lesson with a Bible story edited so that little ones can understand the story without having to understand the real transgressions of the Ninevites. (See Nahum 3:4) Big Idea did a wonderful job. Our grandmother even loved it. Our family supports Christian childrens’ films!
[Excellent! / 5] —Rebecca Schneider, age 33 Positive—I just came from seeing Jonah and WOW!!! Being a college student I usually wait for movies to get to the dollar theatre or rent them on video, but I am SO glad that I saw this one in the theatre!! The whale scenes on the water were INCREDIBLE!!! I was also filled with joy that this movie with a STRONG biblical message was able to be shown on the big screen. Kudos to Big Idea!:)
[Excellent! / 5] —Laura Sommers, age 23 Positive—I enjoyed this movie mainly for its whit and humor that is present in most of the Veggietales other half-hour films. It teaches morality to children, and I think that adults can learn a thing or two from it also. I thought that the producers did a great job relating the truth the Bible intended the story of Jonah to. Overall, I would recommend it but don’t expect anything different than what is normal of the regular shows. (This movie was like an extended show).
[Excellent! / 4] —Josiah Burns, age 18 Positive—Every Christian needs to see this movie!!! We need to support the folks who use their time and talent to produce such wonderful, quality entertainment! This movie is excellent—in quality, content, imagination, humor, and animation. I laughed all the way through it. From the songs to the quips and dialogue, it was enthralling and held all of my attention. I was not expecting a full length feature to be able to hold my attention like this movie did. Big Idea. Go see—Enjoy—Laugh—Then be sure to tell your friends! Thoroughly enjoyable!
[Excellent! / 5] —Marini Shull, age 44 Positive—I think this movie is what we all need right now in a time of turmoil and fighting. It really teaches a fun lesson about second changes and forgiving in a way that kids can understand and relate to and adults can enjoy in the humor of it too. I think that Big Idea did a wonderful job as they always do and I hope to see more movies like this in the future.
[Excellent! / 5] —Holly, age 29 Positive—“IN THE BELLY OF THE WHALE.” Don/t mind me. I just seen this great movie and I still got those great songs in my head. Music from Newboys, Anointed and VeggieTale characters that will keep you singing. This movie is a lot of fun plus did a great job of teaching mercy, compassion and second chances. This movie does a great job of telling you the Bible story of Jonah. (EXCEPT FISH SLAPPING »> BUT OH WELL). Take your family to this for a great time.
[Excellent! / 5] —ROCKINRON, age 39 Positive—A friend and I went to see this on opening day and loved it! It is typical Veggie Tales humor and solid Biblical truth in a technically well done movie. I was very impressed that they didn’t shy away from the obviously Christian message and happy to see the theater full of little kids and their parents. What a great outing for families and a powerful witness to the world! I highly recommend this movie. Oh and stay till the end… it is well worth the giggle =)
[Excellent! / 5] —Bethany, age 23 Positive—Another great Big Idea production! And finally a family film at your local theater! Lots of fun stuff for the kids and adults! Great graphics! Great music! Only major complaint was the sound was only coming from the front speakers, so hard to hear at times. And it was a bit slow here and there. We are all praying that Jonah does well so that Hollywood can get a “real” message! Be sure to look at returns per theater as I think Jonah only opened in 900 screens.
[Excellent! / 5] —Tim Emmerich, age 35 Positive—I’ve had the priviledge of previewing this movie. It is FANTASTIC!!! Same Veggie humor for both children and adults that we’ve all come to expect. With one difference… the quality of this film is at or beyond the Pixar films (i.e.-Toy Story, Monsters, etc). Although Big Idea has spoiled us for several years with high-quality direct to video titles, this movie takes their computer animation/music/writing skills to the next level. I would EASILY put it up against any movie in the marketplace. And the best part? It is STRONGLY Christian. They didn’t water down one thing. I felt like I was reading the book of Jonah. Hats off to the Big Idea folks. Their first entre onto the big screen is gonna be a winner.
[Excellent! / 5] —Bill Reeves, age 33 Comments from young people
Positive—The Best movie of the year!! The Best veggie movie yet!!! You will love it!!
[Excellent! / 5] —Andrew Denekas, age 14 Positive—I went to see this with the kids I babysit. One was five and one was three. I thought the musical numbers were very different from the videos’. I got kind of board with the movie. The five year old really liked it, but the three year old was a little too young for it. Overall, it is a cute movie, and I would definitely suggest you take your kids to see it.
[Excellent! / 4½] —Kate, age 15 Positive—I really loved this movie. It was great. I liked the part when Jonah waited for God to collapse the city. I learned a lot about compassion and mercy.
[Excellent! / 5] —Jamie, age 6 |
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Watching the previous episodes is not a requirement to seeing “Jonah” on the big screen, but if you do, you’ll appreciate the humor and lessons even more (see below for some fun things to watch for in “Jonah”). Big Idea once again blends the familiar and popular characters into the staring roles of this classic Old Testament truth. It’s a little like watching your own children acting out a Bible Story.
The character development is superb because Phil and Mike maintain a tremendous amount of personality integrity. It’s like PBS taking the familiarity of Sesame Street Characters and retelling a well-known tale (which they sometimes do). This multi-layered story includes plenty of inside VeggieJokes, adding up to an absolute scream of a film. “Jonah” maintains a timelessness that compels you to watch it again and again. The quality is every bit as good as anything that you would expect even from the big boys like Disney or DreamWorks, yet the moral lessons make it even a step above.
Our film opens as a story within a story: Bob the Tomato and “Dad” Asparagus are taking a group of veggie kids to see their favorite singer “Twippo”. The adventure opens with non-stop peril and hilarity as our group avoids several mishaps but eventually finds themselves stranded. They try to find hope within a run down seafood joint. It is here that they meet up with “The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything.” These pirates step in and try to resolve a conflict between Junior and Laura. What follows is a well-told modernization of the lessons that the prophet Jonah (played by Archibald Asparagus) learns on his way to (or should I say away from) Nineveh. Prophets, messages from God, compassion, mercy and second chances are simply and creatively explained. It truly is (yes, pun intended) a whale of a good time!
My Ratings: [Excellent! / 2]
—Eric, age 35