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VeggieTales: Minnesota Cuke and the Search for Noah's Umbrella (NR)

common sense media says

More religious throughout than in other Veggie adventures.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that the religious content of this movie is not limited to the beginning or end of the movie, as in other VeggieTales features. There are religious suggestions throughout, such as praying before eating chicken nuggets or mac 'n' cheese, and obeying God's instructions, no matter what anyone else thinks. There are some perilous moments that might keep youngest viewers on the edge of their seats and a moment where choosing the wrong umbrella means "curtains, you're done."

Educational value: Educational in a way that will appeal to Sunday School regulars as it teaches values and quotes the Bible.
Positive messages: This is a tale about doing what is right, as opposed to doing what is accepted. There is only one main female character in the cast. Wicker has a speech impediment.
Positive role models: Minnesota Cuke's friends help him to overcome his fear of ridicule by encouraging him to have faith. Friends in this movie help each other out.
Violence & scariness: Perilous moments near the end, when characters are suspended in a cage that hangs over a ravine. Then the same characters are tied up underneath a fragile icicle. The icy roof collapses and characters barely escape.
Consumerism: A marquee shows an ad for the next Veggie Tale's movie. When asked where he got a book, a character answers, "Craigslist." Characters text on cell phones and take photos with them. A visit to "El Pez" in Mexico is touted as"the ancient city of candy dispensers." Funny too that all the food mentioned is junk food, even though the characters are vegetables.
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More on VeggieTales: Minnesota Cuke and the Search for Noah's Umbrella

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about the perilous moments the characters found themselves in. Were kids scared or did they find the suspense much milder than TV cartoons? Read more about the impact of media violence.
  • Christian families can discuss the Bible story this is based on and read it together.
  • Religious themes can pop up in unlikely places. How does your family celebrate religion? What if your friends do not share your views?
  • Minnesota Cuke hates it when people laugh at him. Can you list three things that he can do to get over his fear of people laughing at him?

What's the story?

What's the story?

Larry the Cucumber (voiced by Mike Nawrocki) is feeling ashamed. While saying a prayer over his chicken nuggets, the kids in the next booth laugh at him. So Bob the Tomato (Phil Vischer) tells him the story of Minnesota Cuke, whose search for Noah's umbrella (not the ark, mind you) helped him have faith enough to overcome his fear of being ridiculed.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Raiders of the Lost Ark seems to have been the inspiration for this addition to the Veggie Tales series. Minnesota Cuke is Indiana Jones, and Noah's Ark, the Ark of the Covenant. As usual there are clever minds at work at Big Idea Studios and there's plenty to satisfy fans of these friendly salad faves.

For those less familiar with the series, and especially those from non-Christian households, this may not be the one to start with. There are more religious messages throughout and phrases like "God promised it would, and God doesn't lie," "he obeyed God's instructions," and "God's word is for everyone"; They could use some context from Sunday school instruction and parents.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Big Idea
Director: Mike Nawrocki
Cast: Cydney Trent, Mike Nawrocki, Phil Vischer
Genre: Family and Kids
Run time: 50 minutes
DVD release: August 4, 2009
MPAA Rating: NR
This review was written by Joly Herman
 
 

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textingqueen
teen, 15 years old
2
 
Really good!!!
Really good for everyone!!!
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LIMO2009
kid, 10 years old
3
 
IT ROCKED
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lewaphantoka
teen, 17 years old
3
 
Any age though adults and teens may be bored.
Nice movie all of our family watch veggie tales and have since I can remember.Being a christian family the shows really are nice teaching good values and often bible stories.This one in-particular teaches children as long as your doing the right thing it doesn't matter what other people think.Very good humor.
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