Product Details

• Format: Color, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Big Idea
• DVD Release Date: August 4, 2009
• Run Time: 50 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00284G2BM
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #25,450 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Video Description

From KIDS FIRST!: Self-affirming and moral lessons are fun to learn when smoothly integrated into an Indiana Jones-like plot with songs, humor, and talking vegetables. VeggieTales skillfully uses stories from the Bible to provide useful lessons for children. In this episode, Minnesota Cuke feels constantly ashamed when others laugh at him for doing the right thing, but in his quest to find his friend he learns that his role model—Noah—had similar issues. Utilizing "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" as the narrative model, the band of Veggies must follow clues given in an instruction manual to wade through the trials and find Noah’s mysterious relic, his umbrella. A cast of friendly vegetables that children can relate to serves a double purpose of conveying an educational story, as well as familiarizing children with vegetables (so that perhaps at the dinner table children can be encouraged to eat them instead of be afraid of them). This is a film with a clear message and an entertaining story for kids, and cinematic references for adults to enjoy. 50 min.; Ages 5-8.

Product Description

Minnesota Cuke is on the search for Noah’s famous ark when he learns of a mysterious and powerful umbrella — and a tricky villain who wants it for his own schemes. Will Minnesota have the confidence to face the challenge and keep searching — or will all hopes of finding the ark be washed away for good?!

Stills from Minnesota Cuke and the Search for Noah’s Umbrella (Click for larger image)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "You Can't Believe Anything You See in Cartoons. Well, Some Cartoons Can Be Quite Educational.", August 4, 2009

By 

Mark Baker (Santa Clarita, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Veggie Tales: Minnesota Cuke and the Search for Noah's Umbrella (DVD)

Larry the Cucumber is embarrassed. He just got laughed at for giving thanks for his food at lunch. And so Bob the Tomato sets aside the letter of the day and offers us this story instead.

Minnesota Cuke (Larry again) has had it with being laughed at. He doesn't even want to take a new archeological job as a result. But he gets talked into searching for Noah's Ark when he learns that his friend Rattan (Mr. Lunt) has disappeared after starting the search. Fearing his friend might be in trouble, he sets out for Mexico where he is reunited with Julia (Sweet Petunia). But the clues Minnesota has to follow are silly. Will he be able to follow them or will he be too embarrassed to save his friend?

Along the way, we do get a new silly song. "Sippy Cup" actually fits into the theme as it finds Larry at a restaurant asking for a real glass instead of a sippy cup even though he has a reputation for spilling. It found it amusing, but I think the target audience will really get into it since they will identify with it.

And really, this entry in the series will appeal to anyone. The action is fast moving and silly enough for the kids. Yet this one spoofs the third Indiana Jones movie pretty well, especially the climax, so adults will enjoy many of the jokes and puns. The moral is a tad heavy handed at times, but that's my only real complaint. Still, the reminder to do the right thing even if we get laughed at is important.

It still amazes me how much fun these videos can be for all ages while still teaching important Biblical lessons. If you've missed these gems, this is as good a place as any to start.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Veggie, October 8, 2009

By 

Jennifer Bogart "@ Quiverfullfamily.com" (Alberta, Canada) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Veggie Tales: Minnesota Cuke and the Search for Noah's Umbrella (DVD)

Minnesota Cuke - the loveable children's museum curator - is back for another Veggie Tales adventure! Following up on his eagerly received premiere appearance in Minnesota Cuke and the Search for Samson's Hairbrush, Larry takes to the screen again in his role as Minnesota, with both halves of the disc dedicated to his search for Noah's umbrella.

Written by the same team that brought us the original episode, Tim Hodge and Robert G. Lee spin a tale of intrigue and adventure that shows a distraught Larry that trusting in, and obeying God is all that matters. When some fellow fast food eaters ridicule Larry after singing a song of thanks over his chicken nuggets, Bob realizes that Larry is in need of his own story.

Minnesota Cuke hates being laughed at. Though he's tried to do right since he was a wee cucumber, he's just about had it with people making fun of him. The eccentric Mr Muffett (who made his fortune in a best-selling poem about his daughter - "Little Miss Muffett") is building a Bible-themed goldfish pond in his backyard, and needs to find Noah's ark to use as the centerpiece.

Larry's quest takes him on a journey filled with mysterious clues, kidnapping, evil twins, and... lots of people laughing at him along the way. Bolstered by scriptural encouragement from his platonic sidekick Julia - Petunia Rhubarb - and challenged through his trials, he eventually comes to the conclusion that when God is happy with his actions, it doesn't matter what others think.

After the release of a rather disappointing Abe and the Amazing Promise, I'm thrilled to see that Big Idea is back on track with this, their 38th Veggie Tales episode. With director Mike Narowcki at the helm, and John Wahba as a co-pilot, we're once again seeing great messages, effectively conveyed through the traditional-style veggie humor that appeals to kids, while offering adults laughs through additional inside jokes and spoofs. The Veggie Tales team openly admits that they were pulling heavily from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade for laughs from older viewers.

I love this 45 minute disc's format, with Minnesota Cuke filling both story slots, separated by an intermission of a fabulous silly song, "Sippy Cup" by Steve Taylor. This extended length episode almost gives the feeling of one of the Veggie Tales feature films such as Jonah, but remains sandwiched within the bookends of the intro sequence and closing scripture verse.

"Sippy Cup" has become a fast family favourite, hearkening back to the undeniable sing-along appeal and humor of earlier Veggie Tales favourites. It's an inside joke here now to threaten our children with sippy cups when they spill, and both my six- and three-year-olds can be heard mumbling the tune under their breath throughout the day. The songs within the episode are just as catchy, only I'm the one you'll find hollering, "The Lord told Noah to build Him an arky, arky... build it out of gopher barky, barky..."

The discs bonus features are even more fun than usual. The spontaneous, transparent, and revealing studio commentaries laid over the film, as well as lessons in drawing Minnesota Cuke and Julia are the high points. An art gallery, sing along with Larry segment, and discussion guide are also included. English and Spanish subtitles are available, along with 5.1 surround sound, and standard scene navigation options are also included. The CG animation is of course, fabulous. After watching these state-of-the-art releases, it makes returning to their older DVDs such as Esther somewhat painful.

I can't definitively say who was responsible for the mediocre quality of Abe, but I can attest to the fact that Minnesota Cuke and the Search for Noah's Umbrella is right up there amongst the Veggie Tales classics. My children have been asking to watch it incessantly, and I hardly mind. The message is great, unmistakably delivered, catchy tunes, lots of laughs - we've got a winner! Or as my oldest tells me, "I'd give it eight stars if I could!"

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars They are back on track!, August 25, 2009

By 

mrs. dani (lexington, sc United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Veggie Tales: Minnesota Cuke and the Search for Noah's Umbrella (DVD)

Veggie Tales have always been great. When Phil Vicher lost control of the company a few years ago (I highly recommend his book Me, Myself & Bob that tells about that), others have taken a turn writing the epsiodes....not always a good thing. While good they just have not been up to Veggie Tales standards.

This one really hits the mark. While watching I was sure that Phil must have written this one. Imagine my surprise at the credits to find out it was not him!

Anyway, this is a defite must have for Veggie fans. If you have never seen a Veggie Tales before, this is a good place to be introduced to them!