VeggieTales Review: Minnesota Cuke and the Search for Noah's Umbrella

Stars: 5 out of 5
Pros: Funny and thrilling story for all ages

Cons: A tad on the preachy side

The Bottom Line:

Get some confidence

As you search for Biblical

Artifact.  It's fun!

"It's Unbelievable How You Can Keep Up with a Speeding Truck by Swinging on Vines."

It's been four years since Larry the Cucumber first put on that fedora and searched for an ancient Biblical treasure with reported magical powers.  But the time is right for him to do it again.  So we get Minnesota Cuke and the Search for Noah's Umbrella.

In case you aren't familiar with the series, it is a computer animated direct to DVD series that features talking, singing vegetables who tell stories that illustrate Biblical truths.  Sometimes, these stories are Bible stories, but other times they are based more on real life or a spoof of some great cultural icon.  Unlike normal, this entry only has one story (often there are two).  Quite obviously, we are spoofing Indiana Jones, especially the third movie, Last Crusade.

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.

When these videos are on, they are wonderful fun for all ages.  That's certainly the case here.  The story moves quickly enough to keep kids' attention, yet it also contains enough jokes that the adults will get.  They can be quite punny when they want to be, and that was the case here.  And any fan of Indiana Jones will recognize the spoofs along the way.  But parents don't need to worry.  There is a kidnapping and a hostage situation, but the worst that happens here is someone getting hit with a pie.

The story starts with a scene from Minnesota Cuke as a child.  I'll fully admit it was funny, and I got several good laughs from it.  But I am a little confused as to how it fit into the timeline since this one obviously takes place after the first Minnesota Cuke cartoon.  Oops, sorry.  I'm overanalyzing a kid's cartoon again, aren't I?  Anyway, watch for a singing fish in these early scenes.

The animation seems to improve with every video.  It's not at a Pixar or Dreamworks level, but it is certainly quite good.  There isn't anything breathtaking, but there is plenty that is beautiful.

Likewise, the voice acting is good.  You'd never know most the characters are voice by the two founders of Big Idea.

The moral can be a take over preachy here.  Now, I'm not complaining.  The lesson on confidently following God's instructions despite how others react is important and Biblical.  I like how they incorporate Noah into that lesson with only minimally retelling the Bible story.  But there are a couple of scenes that are a bit preachy when it comes to the moral.  The target audience probably won't notice, so it's just the adults who will be rolling their eyes.

All told, Minnesota Cuke and the Search for Noah's Umbrella is another great addition to the VeggieTales family.  You're kids will love them.  And if you give them half a chance, you will, too.