Based on the popular children's series, JONAH: A VEGGIE TALES MOVIE gives computer-animated talking vegetables their feature film debut. Bob the Tomato, Laura Carrot, and company seek shelter in a remote seafood restaurant after having a van accident en route to a concert. In the next booth, a band of "pirates who do nothing," led by Larry the Cucumber (voiced by Mike Nawrocki) tell them the biblical story of Jonah and the Whale, with Jonah in this case played by an uptight asparagus (voiced by Phil Vischer). Adults unfamiliar with the series may be startled at first by the unusual combination of Bible studies and talking produce (as well as the high-pitched, Monty Python style vocalizing) but those already VEGGIE-savvy should get right into it. In addition to the goofy humor, there are lessons to learn about compassion and mercy, so parents might notice a lull in inter-sibling bickering afterwards. They'll also find the crazy sight gags and clever songs help put the whole thing over, particularly the big show-stopper: a gospel choir of African-American angel asparagus (vocalized by Anointed), who appear to Jonah inside the whale and belt out the roof-raising number "Second Chances."
DVD Features:
Region 0
Keep Case
Anamorphic Widescreen - 1.85
Full Frame - 1.33
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Dolby Digital 5.1 - Spanish
Additional Release Material:
Music Video
Audio Commentary
Outtakes
Animation Goofs
Jonah Karaoke
Featurette: The Making of "Jonah"
Interactive Features:
Scene Access
Interactive Menus
Family Activities
DVD-ROM Features:
Computer Games
Director
Phil Vischer: Director, JONAH: A VEGGIE TALES MOVIE (2002)
Mike Nawrocki: Director, JONAH: A VEGGIE TALES MOVIE (2002)
Producer
Ameake Owens: Producer, JONAH: A VEGGIE TALES MOVIE (2002)
Screenwriter
Phil Vischer: Director, JONAH: A VEGGIE TALES MOVIE (2002)
Mike Nawrocki: Director, JONAH: A VEGGIE TALES MOVIE (2002)
Composer
Kurt Heinecke: Composer, JONAH: A VEGGIE TALES MOVIE (2002)
Phil Vischer: Director, JONAH: A VEGGIE TALES MOVIE (2002)
Executive Producer
Dan Phillips: Executive Producer, JONAH: A VEGGIE TALES MOVIE (2002)
Executive Producer
Terry Botwick: Executive Producer, JONAH: A VEGGIE TALES MOVIE (2002)
Voice
Dan Anderson: Voice, JONAH: A VEGGIE TALES MOVIE (2002)
Voice
Kristin Blegen: Voice, JONAH: A VEGGIE TALES MOVIE (2002)
Voice
Lisa Vischer: Voice, JONAH: A VEGGIE TALES MOVIE (2002)
Voice
Shelby Vischer: Voice, JONAH: A VEGGIE TALES MOVIE (2002)
Voice
Tim Hodge: Voice, JONAH: A VEGGIE TALES MOVIE (2002)
Executive Producer
Phil Vischer: Director, JONAH: A VEGGIE TALES MOVIE (2002)
Review 1:
"...[The film] offers a mixed salad of Bible-based homilies, clever wordplay, antic silliness and vibrant CGI animation....THE CGI wizardry is dazzling enough to impress adults and delight small children..."
Source: Variety
p.22 10/07/2002
Review 2:
"...The main lessons JONAH attempts to teach are compassion and mercy. That's an unusual -- and welcome -- message these days..."
Source: USA Today
p.13D 10/04/2002
Review 3:
"...Playful, high-spirited and unmistakably amusing. It's nice to see that a sense of humor and a sense of values don't inevitably have to cancel each other out..."
Source: Los Angeles Times
p.C6 10/04/2002
Review 4:
"...The lessons continued in Phil Vischer and Mike Nawrocki's animated film, that mercy and compassion are to be practiced and prized, are valuable..."
Source: Chicago Sun-Times
p.36 10/04/2002
Review 5:
"...[With] bouncy animation and catchy songs..."
Source: Entertainment Weekly
p.53 11/01/2002
Review 6:
"...A pleasant opportunity for an occasional giggle at the folly of mankind and the underrated value of veggies..."
Source: Box Office
p.60 12/01/2002