Customer Reviews

Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: A Veggie Tales Movie (Widescreen)

5 star:		(53)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

Avast ye maties! This be a tale of pirates, but it isn't the one you're thinking of. That ones over for now. No, this one is about three vegetables who defy all odds to become heroes. In "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: A VeggieTales Movie."

George, Sedgewick (both Phil Vischer) and Elliot (Mike Nawrocki) were simple cabin boys working at a pirate-themed restaurant when they find a ball that sends them back in time to the 16th century. While there, they are told by a princess that they must save her brother from an evil pirate. Though they know they're not heroes, they accept and end up on an adventure of nutritious proportions.

In this day of incredible computer-aided animation and scripts written to keep audiences laughing, it is easy to get caught up in the quality of the production and the non-stop barrage of jokes while losing sight of another objective that a good movie for kids might--or even should--attempt to achieve: communicating the value of virtues. It is rare that a movie can pull off all three, and I have to believe that effectively communicating values (without preaching) is the most difficult of the three.

The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything comes close on all three counts. The animation is good, but it does not amaze. The story has moments of laughter and emotion, but you don't end up caring about many of the characters. And it makes it clear that doing the right thing and being willing to make sacrifices for others is important and worth the effort. In the end, kids will have been entertained while having important principles reinforced. This is truly a movie for kids from start to finish, rather than a cute story with mature humor thrown in from time to time to keep things interesting for parents who might not be able set their prurient interests aside for a couple of hours.

Now if I could just get those freaky cheese curls off my mind...

Imagine a world where vegetables sail the seven seas and the most fearsome pirate is the one with arms and legs, albeit mechanical arms and legs. That's the world of the new VeggieTales release. And it's a full length film.

The movie opens in the 17th century. We are on a ship that is being captured by pirates. While brave Prince Alexander tries to fight them off, he is ultimate captured. Unfortunately, the pirates are being led by Robert the Terrible. Not only is he the king's banished brother, but he has also used mechanics to create arms and legs (well, one leg and one peg leg), making him the most fearsome pirate around. The one thing he wants most is his brother's throne, and he intends to use the prince and princess to get it.

Unfortunately for him, Princess Eloise and the butler Willory (Archibald Asparagus) have escaped capture. And they use a contraption the King has created to send a plea for help.

Fast forward to the present day. At the Pieces of Ate Dinner Theater we meet Elliot, Sedgwick, and George (Larry the Cucumber, Mr. Lunt, and Pa Grape.) They work as Cabin Boys (waiters), but long to be in the show. Unfortunately, Elliot has a list of things he is afraid of, Sedgwick is just plain lazy, and George lacks self-confidence.

And these three misfits are the ones the plea for help finds. Before they really know what is happening, they find themselves on board the ship with Willory and Princess Eloise on a quest to rescue Prince Alexander. Can they become heroes to complete the quest? Or will their flaws spell doom for everyone?

Aside from the characters I mentioned, most of the main characters are new. But keep an eye open for blink and you'll miss then cameos from many of the regulars, including Bob the Tomato. Also look for the appearance of the Grape family. I guess they aren't gone for good.

This movie really is a tale of two halves. I found the first half slow and predictable as it set things up. While the second half was still predictable, this is where the fun really started. The jokes came much faster and really hit their target.

This is also the least overt Christian film from the Veggies. There is still a clear moral about what it takes to be a hero and there is a strong allegory to things (although don't take it too far or you'll wind up with very, very bad theology.)

As you would expect, this move is 100% kid friendly. The fearsome pirates drink Root Beer and Ginger Ale. Their sword fights never produce a single wound. Frankly, I got quite a kick out of this.

In keeping with the Veggie's roots, this isn't the top notch animation you would normally see. But it is keeping with their last few efforts, so long time fans will know what to expect.

This is not the best effort from VeggieTales, but it is fun and the franchise's many fans will certainly enjoy it.

What a great, fun movie! I enjoyed this Veggie Tales movie so much & so did my 5 yr. old daughter. It has lots of "jokes for the grown ups" as I call them, especially at the end - B52's fans prepare to dance! This movie also manages to work in a spiritual message at the end, but does it so subtly that non-believers won't feel preached at in the least. The spiritual aspect is what I like most about Veggie Tales in general, as a teaching tool for my child, and even my atheist spouse gets some laughs out of most of the shows. This movie is one that will appeal to all types of parents and kids.

We have been Veggie Tales fans since our kids were little... we always love the "humor" that even adults could enjoy.

This one was so different... it lacked the humorous flavor and clear message we were so accustomed to with "Veggie Tales"... Didnt seem "authentic" Veggie Tales! Didnt really have too much of a point, like usual.

I gave it three stars... which means "It was OK".. I guess little kids would love anything with Bob and Larry...

For those of us who have enjoyed Veggie Tales for alot of years.. who have supported them, bought their movies for the great values and biblical message and awesome humor...you will probably see that something is lacking with this one.

Big Idea.... dont ruin a good thing... Dont fix it if it isnt broken!! You dont need "Universal" to be bigger or to be great.... you were great already!

Sorry :(

What a great, fun movie! I enjoyed this Veggie Tales movie so much & so did my 5 yr. old daughter. It has lots of "jokes for the grown ups" as I call them, especially at the end - B52's fans prepare to dance! This movie also manages to work in a spiritual message at the end, but does it so subtly that non-believers won't feel preached at in the least. The spiritual aspect is what I like most about Veggie Tales in general, as a teaching tool for my child, and even my atheist spouse gets some laughs out of most of the shows. This movie is one that will appeal to all types of parents and kids.

This is the first Veggie Tales that I have ever seen since my early days at Sunday school. I am currently a freshman in high school, and I absolutely adored this movie. It was great fun to watch with my family and we had a memorable time following the adventures of Elliot, Sedgewick, and George, (also known as Larry, Mr. Lunt, and Pa Grape.)

This movie feautres quirky humor, an interesting kid-appealing storyline, and the unique and colorful (literally and figurately) cast of Veggie Tales. Of course, The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything is chockful with a whimsical variety of cheery and boppy sing-along songs.

The story revolves around Elliot, Sedgewick and George, who are "cabin boys" at a restaurant. They find a mysterious orb that was sent out by a desperate princess and are transported out of their environment to save her, regardless of their inabilities and faults. Along the quest, the trio conquers their weaknesses (Cowardice, laziness, and timidness,) and have an adventure that changes them for the better.

The only drawback is that unlike other Veggie Tales movies which are very biblical, (as informed by my friend, who is also a fan,) this one lacks scarcely any Christian motivation behind it. Only at the very end, is the message "God gives help to those who ask for it," delivered, and it is ambiguously stated, only comprehensible to little ones if their mother pauses the video and explains it.

I highly recommend this swashbuckling veggie pirate adventure. You can't go wrong with this movie. Have fun!

Although I was a bit skeptical at first, I found that I really liked and enjoyed this movie.
To me, it was a really pleasant and positive movie, and the attack of the killer cheese puffs really cracked me up.
The dvd extras include how to draw some of the characters, some fun and games as well as a great activity to try with your family, and an alternate ending which I thought was pretty cute.
Oh yeah, there is a song called "rock monster" which is a parody of the song "rock lobster" by the b-52's. I really loved that part and had that song stuck in my head for the next day or so.
So, you should give this movie a try. It's got a great message in it that I think applies to everyone.

My kids just LOVE this movie! They would watch it all day long if I let them! We all love the Rock Monster music video at the end. Very silly and fun for the kids to dance to! :-)

Pros:
1. Action-packed adventure that teaches kids values, like help a friend in need, don't give up, do your best, there is no free lunch in life, be brave and strong, family is what's important, etc.
2. Superb graphics, animation, music and storyline.
3. Fun for kids and adults.
4. The story is long enough but not too long. Just perfect.
5. Great for everyone, not just Christians (there are no Christian themes in DVD if you don't count "the values" part that is applicable to most religions

Cons:
1. Some parts can be scary for kids under 2.5 y.o.

Yup, I think that this movie was pretty good. I really like the Veggie Tales and Big Idea Productions, and they continue the tradition here with a wacky story with a purposeful message.