VeggieTales: Can Christian Values be Pee-Your-Pants Funny?

Would you worship a 90' tall golden bunny to avoid being cast into a fully-stoked, fiery furnace with a history of rapidly incinerating "bad bunnies"? That is the dilemma which faces Rack, Shack, and Benny; the heroes of Big Idea's 1995 production "VeggieTales: Rack, Shack, and Benny". Big Idea, a Christian company whose self-proclaimed mission is to "enhance the moral and spiritual fabric of our society through creative media", has certainly presented an effective tool to accomplish this task... but is it entertaining?


***** THE STORY *****

"Well, you see, sir... our parents taught us to stand up for what we believe in and God wants us to do what is right."

Rack, Shack, and Benny, dutiful employees of the tyrannical Mr. Nezzar, owner of the vastly successful Nezzar Chocolate Factory, are rapidly moving up the corporate ladder as a result of their strong principles and willingness to stick to their values (as well as their refusal to gorge on chocolate bunnies to the point of nausea).

They come to a crossroads, however, when Mr. Nezzar constructs a 90' tall bunny and demands that all the factory workers bow down and sing its praises. The Veggies know that idolatry doesn't rate highly on God's list of "things I want my servants to do", but they are also informed that refusal to comply with Mr. Nezzar's sacrilegious demands will cost them more than their jobs... it will cost them their very lives.

Even in the face of adversity, the Veggies stick to their values and, predictably enough, are cast into the flames. Does God save them from the fiery furnace? Will nasty old Mr. Nezzar ever change his evil ways? Do the Veggies make good kindling? I would hate to ruin the ending of this suspense-filled thriller, but let's just say... don't count on any baked cucumbers to be on the menu in the near future.


***** THE PARALLELS *****

"...ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up: And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace" - Daniel 3:5-6

This movie is a modern-day animated adaptation of the Old Testament story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These provincial rulers in Babylon were among the Israeli slaves taken by the Babylonians in the 6th or 7th century. Though they rose to positions of power and respect in the courts of Babylon, they never compromised their values and never turned away from God. This powerful tale of faith and unwavering obedience can be found in the 3rd book of Daniel.

For those of you following along at home, here is the scorecard:

BOB the TOMATO = SHADRACH [Jewish name: Hananiah]
JUNIOR ASPARAGUS = MESHACH [Jewish name: Mishael]
LARRY the CUCUMBER = ABEDNEGO [Jewish name: Azariah]
MR. NEZZAR the ZUCCHINI = NEBUCHADNEZZAR, KING OF BABYLON
MR. LUNT the GOURD = THE KING'S COUNSELORS
THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY = THE KING'S COURT
THE 90' TALL BUNNY = THE GOLDEN STATUE IN DURA

NOTE: King Nebuchadnezzar eventually recognized the power of God, but his harshness did not subside and he remained, shall we say, a bit overemphatic, making a decree that, "every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill."

Upon the climax of the video, the reformed Mr. Nezzar did not impose such harsh restrictions on the workers in his chocolate factory.


***** THE MUSIC *****

"Watch the cucumber... oh, how smooth his motion. Like butter on a bald monkey."

Melodic and infectious, the music in this video maintains a high standard of "catchiness" while still functioning as an effective vehicle to work within the framework of the story. From the light-hearted "The Chocolate Factory" to the sentimental "Junior's Lullaby" to the ominous, foreboding "The Bunny Song", these tunes and lyrics are going to be running through your head again and again and again and again and again until your loved ones are pleading with you to stop humming and all the blood vessels in your brain simultaneously burst.

NOTE: This episode does include a "Silly Song with Larry". While inconsequential to the story, Larry's rousing rendition of "The Dance of the Cucumber" keeps my whole family in stitches. Plus, the viewer is treated to a rare view of a cucumber adorned in AUTHENTIC ARGENTINIAN GARB!


***** THE BALANCE SHEET *****

"I don't want no health food when it's time to feed, a big bag o' bunnies is all that I need..."

ASSETS:

1) THE TECHNICAL -
"Wow, that's a big bunny!"

VeggieTales are technically strong. This show utilizes 100% computer animation and the effects are superb. I am particularly amused by the expressiveness and facial expressions of Bob the Tomato.

2) THE WRITING:
"You're bad bunnies!"

The script is tight and effective. With the exception of the silly song, every line of dialogue is carefully chosen to convey a moral, further the plot, or have comedic effect.

3) THE VALUES:
"Knowing you've done the right thing sure makes you feel good inside."

Peer pressure is an element that children have to deal with on a daily basis (unless you keep them locked in the closet like I do with my son). This video encourages the viewer to refuse to bow to the whims of the masses, to make a stand for what is right, and, perhaps most importantly, to listen to one's parents. I cannot overemphasize how enamored I am with this concept. If it takes a talking cucumber to convince my children that there is value in what Dad tells them, well... VEGGIE POWER!

4) THE EFFECT:
"When everyone tells you that ya gotta be cool... just remember what you learned in church and Sunday school."

My glowing review of VeggieTales doesn't amount to a thing if kids don't share my enthusiasm. This is a CHILDRENS' program and was written and produced for CHILDREN. I am so entertained by it (even after nigh-unto-triple-digit-viewings) that I actually forget that I bought it for my son.

Fortunately, my son is enthralled with this program. And I mean enthralled. He sways in unison with the music, he erupts into spontaneous fits of laughter, and he is just mesmerized by it.

While it is not advisable to use the television as a babysitter, I would rather have Bob and Larry watching my kid than eco-terrorist Captain Planet or that insipid purple-butted dinosaur whose name is forbidden in my household.

LIABILITIES:

At one time, my major complaint about VeggieTales may have been lack of availability, but that is not a concern. The VeggieTales have burst into mainstream retail outlets (i.e. Walmart, K-Mart), and are convenient to purchase.

Beyond that, I have nothing negative to say about VeggieTales.


***** THE RECOMMENDATION *****

"Stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you." - Thessalonians II 2:15

"VeggieTales: Rack, Shack, and Benny" is a clever, witty, well-produced gem of a video that promotes values I want to instill in my child. I see no reason not to buy a gross of these videos and distribute them to everyone you know.

If you like to talk to tomatoes...
If a squash can make you smile...
If you like to waltz with potatoes...
Up and down the produce aisle...

HAVE WE GOT A SHOW FOR YOU!