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The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: A VeggieTales Movie

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 2, age appropriate for kids over 4; suggested age 4.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Like steamed veggies: Good for you, but bland.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 4 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Three unassuming busboys prove they're heroes when they go back in time and save a prince from a vengeful pirate, who gets his comeuppance. In the end, nearly everyone comes around and learns a good lesson: Do the right thing and be a hero, no matter whether you think you have the makings of one.

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    A cartoon pirate who thirsts for fame and power brandishes a sword near a character's head. He also abducts a prince. Some bickering.
  • Sexy stuff:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    No swearing, though the word "loser" is used a few times.
  • Consumerism:

    Noticeably more mentions of labels and products than standard VeggieTales fare, including TiVo, The Weather Channel, Edward Scissorhands, Love Boat, etc. There are vast arrays of VeggieTales merchandise available.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    One character has a strong penchant for "cheese curls" (i.e. cheese puffs).

What Parents Need to Know

This review of The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: A VeggieTales Movie was written by S. Jhoanna Robledo

Parents need to know that this animated film -- part of a large, Christian-themed film-and-TV franchise -- has a light touch when it comes to sending its feel-good message (which, this time around, is that anyone can be a hero; all it takes is to do what you know is right). Some situations, as when a pirate captures a young man, sound perilous, but they're not that scary. There's no swearing, violence, or sexual innuendo, but several specific products are mentioned by name -- noticeably more than in other VeggieTales titles.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about how this movie is similar to and different from other VeggieTales titles. What does the VeggieTales brand mean to you and your family? How is it different from other kids' and family media brands? Families can also discuss George/Pa Grape's lack of confidence. How does he measure himself at first? Does he see things differently in the end? Why? What about Elliot/Larry and his many fears? How does he overcome them?
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More on The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: A VeggieTales Movie

What’s the Story?

THE PIRATES WHO DON'T DO ANYTHING: A VEGGIETALES MOVIE is self-effacing, all right -- just look at its nondescript title. But don't let that fool you; it has a strong and admirable message: Do the right thing, and don't worry about whether you look the part of anything (in this case, a hero). Will it, live it, have some faith, and you'll be it.

Three "cabin boys" at the Pieces of Ate Dinner Theater dream of the big time, when they'll move up from their lowly busboy positions and join the pirate show on stage. But they're hardly the handsome or muscled type. Elliot (played by Mike Nawrocki voiced Larry the Cucumber, who's one of the mainstays of the VeggieTales series) is sickly and has a long list of things that scare him; Sedgwick (here played by Phil Vischer's Mr. Lunt, a gourd) talks a good game but is more comic than courageous; and George (Vischer's Pa Grape) has no confidence whatsoever. (Even his kids think the dinner theater's pirate is cooler than their dad).

Is It Any Good?

But then a "help-seeker" -- a magical time-travel device -- calls on the trio to step back to the 17th century to help Princess Eloise (Laura Gerow) save her brother, Prince Alexander (Yuri Lowenthal). He's been abducted by Robert the Terrible (Cam Clarke), the siblings' ambitious uncle -- who happens to be a marauding pirate who longs for the adulation that his brother the king receives. Eloise wishes for heroes, and suddenly, Elliot, Sedgwick, and George appear.

There's never a doubt that the three will realize their potential in the end, but their journey is still enjoyable for the most part. The music, like that of VeggieTales adventures past, is infectious (watch out for the gang's hilarious version of "Rock Lobster," here called "Rock Monster"), and nothing in the storyline is objectionable. Still, it starts out a little too slow for a movie targeted at school-age kids with short attention spans. The jokes can be clunky, and the animation is unsophisticated (except for the Rock Monsters, everything else seems a little flat).

Clearly, this is no Ratatouille -- or any other Pixar masterpiece. Still, there are worse ways to pass the time. And besides, young audiences won't be as critical as the grown-up counterparts who'll be taking them to the Cineplex.

Movie Details

Studio: Universal Pictures, Director: Mike Nawrocki
Run time: 84 minutes
Theatrical release: 1/11/2008, DVD release: 10/13/2008
MPAA Rating: G

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    I rate this title iffy for age 4 and give it 3.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    Too violent

    I'm surprised to see people rating this movie as "not violent." There is liberal use of swords and sword play as well as large-scale war-like fighting with cannons.

  2. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Washington
    I rate this title on for age 4 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    the funnest movie

    it is pretty good for 4 years old

  3. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 3 and give it 3.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive consumerism
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    This was the first of the Veggie Tales movies I've seen, so I don't know how it compares to others but in this one there are no bible stories, no praying, no being "saved". Only the king, who appears at the end, has any obvious allegorical connection to religion. Generally, it's humorous and fun.

  4. I rate this title iffy for age 4 and give it 4.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Some Frigtening Scenes

    My kids are sensitive to scary things. They were a little frightened, but okay with the scary pirates. What got to them was the monster cheese doodles and the rock monsters. These things REALLY freaked them out during the movie.

  5. I rate this title iffy for age 3 and give it 4.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

  6. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Maryland
    I rate this title on for age 3 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive consumerism

    I laughed, I cried, it moved me, Bob!

    When I saw the first Veggie Tales movie, I was five years old. Six years later, the second one comes out. This is the first Veggie Tales anything that isn't based off a religious tale, but does send out a quite Christian message. Violence is limited to slapstick and swordplay, consumerism is noticeable, no sexual content that occurred, and language is limited to name-calling such as "moron," "loser," and "crazy," but most parents wouldn't find the content disturbing. I think the animation could've been better, but overall it's a five-star movie! No doubt about it! This is a great movie to watch on a family night when you want a good kid's comedy with some brief adult humor with a good message!

  7. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 5.0

    A must see movie for all children

  8. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Wisconsin
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 5.0

    fun

    this is fun movie that is funnny and has a good message. If you a chirstian this is a good movie for because they talk about God's word plus this is a story related to stories in the Bible. If you like this video you should watch regular veggie tale movies because they are very age okay and silly. I would be a okay giving this to my kid.

  9. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Illinois
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 5.0

    Finally a movie for a whole family!

    With children under the age of 10, it is hard to find a movie that we can all go see and enjoy. Veggie Tales had something for all of us. The kids enjoyed all of the funny antics, especially the "evil cheese" (snack foods with teeth). The messages are great, looking at not giving up and doing the right thing. Veggie Tales are Christian based, but unless you know that and are looking for it, you won't find any overt religious references. Just good clean lessons about helping others and trying to do your best. For adults, you can't miss the end credits - the "Rock Monster" video will take you back to the good old days of the 80's, as well as a few of the evil cheese pop up throughout the end credits. This is light hearted entertainment for all!

  10. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 4.0

    Good for all ages.

    I didnt think it was that bad of a movie.It was actully kinda funny.This movie is great for all ages.You should wacht this movie if u like funny veggies.

  11. Kid Reviewer Age 9
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 3.0

    better for 6 years and up

    Although this is one of very few movies that is appropriate for children. I felt strongly that it was too violent and too scary for children under 6. Most 4 and 5 year olds didn't even understand the story. The dialogue is rapid and a bit complicated. I think it's great for kids 6 and older.

  12. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 5.0

    This was hilarious!

    My 5 year old loved this movie! It was hilarious with no iffy content. A parent's dream!

  13. Adult Reviewer
    I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it 4.0

    Good movie for kids and adults who like Veggie Tales

    Pretty typical Veggie Tales fare. Fun for kids and adults, though teens who feel Veggie Tales is for kids won't like it. Good message, some pretty funny scenes. Some of the scenes might be a little scary for very young children. At the prices they charge for movies these days, I could have waited for the video to come out. But since there are very few movies out these days appropriate for younger kids, I guess it was worth it.

  14. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 3.0

    My daughter liked it, but I had a hard time staying awake.

    This is probably best saved for rental. My daughter (4 1/2) enjoyed this movie, but I could barely stay interested in the story. The only complaint about the movie itself was that it was a little frightening to her to start, but I calmed her fears and she was fine after that.

  15. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 4.0

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