 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
VeggieTales: Moe and the Big Exit
- Review Date: March 12, 2007
- NR
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 2007
Common Sense Media says
Rip-roarin' rendition of Moses as a cowboy cuke.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that like all Big Idea productions, this story is mainly aimed at Christian families. Moses is transformed into a cowboy cucumber named Moe, whose people are terrorized by a tyrannous mayor. Most of the plagues are depicted as much-less ominous events, like a river turning red, people growing pimples, and firstborn sons being "taken" by a river. While certain images, especially of the Passover plague, might be upsetting to inquisitive children, there's nothing explicitly frightening or disturbing.
What's the story?
In this VeggieTales adaptation of the story of Moses, cowboy Moe (Larry the Cucumber), the adopted son of the mayor's sister, learns that his "people" are actually the descendants of Little Joe who are now enslaved and forced to dig out the Grand Canyon. Moe communicates with God via his walking stick and a burning bush, and commands the mayor to let his people (or pickles, as the case may be) go. Of course the mayor doesn't listen, despite the various plagues God inflicts on Dodgeball City: the river turning red, grasshoppers swarming, pimples erupting, cattle falling dead, etc. Most of the plagues seem like nuisances until the saddest, and final one: the Passover plague of the first-borns, when dozens of baby baskets are shown floating up a river. After losing his grandson, the despondent pharaoh-like mayor frees the downtrodden veggies. And you know the rest.
Is it any good?
Richly animated and creatively conceived, MOE AND THE BIG EXIT is a humorous, kid-focused twist on an epic Exodus saga. While the biblical plot may be too complicated for some preschoolers -- and too religious for secular families -- even the youngest viewers will find reasons to dig this VeggieTale. There's even a new Silly Song, "A Mess Down in Egypt," which is a rap sung by the "Boyz in the Sink."
What families can talk about
Families can talk about why Moe decided to return to Dodgeball City instead of staying with his family. Was it right that all of "Little Joe's" descendants had to work building the Grand Canyon? Why is Moe called a traitor? Why didn't the mayor listen when all those bad things started happening? Christian families may want to take the opportunity to share more about the real story of the Exodus.
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AGE
A Mess Down In Egypt
Big Idea Studios has done it again. A brilliant, hilarious, movie with unbelievably great morals. They're great for adults, too. Sadly, we live in a world where G movies are as dirty as R movies. But Veggietales is different. They've made nearly forty of these movies, I'm counting, and not once have said anything that kids shouldn't hear. Of course, there is a time or two in this movie where Moe gives his wife a short kiss on the cheek, but that's it. And Veggietales always dims down the scarier parts of Bible stories and such for small children. For example, in the original story of the Exodus, the first plague was Moses turning the river into blood. In Moe and the Big Exit, Moe turns the river into tomato juice. I normally rate Veggietales movies on for 2+, but the last plague might scare some children. No one dies, but there is a shot of baby baskets floating down a river. It's implied there are children in them, but no children are ever shown. I imagine someone downriver found them and raised them, just like Moe, because children never get hurt in Veggietales. One more thing: this movie does NOT teach kids "do what God says or else" as some people seem to think. It teaches that if you do what God asks, which for kids this might be sharing, obeying their parents, etc., he will help you. You don't need to be strong or brave, God will handle that part for you. I mean, look at the cover. It plainly says in size 48 letters, "A Lesson in Followin' Directions." Get over it. Bad things only happened to the mayor because he was downright evil. I don't seem to remember the mayor (or the pharaoh) ever doing anything good. I clearly remember the mayor enslaving the entire town... and worse! If he were never punished, he'd never learn. It's not like he never did the same thing to anyone else. All this movie teaches is that God loves you and will always take care of you. It also teaches you how to play dodgeball. And lose. Oh, well. Anywho, I strongly suggest to every parent out there to buy every single Veggietales movie every made in the history of history. Even if your kids are 40. Trust me, they'll like 'em. See ya'll later!
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AGE
fear mongering
Obviously this is a religion themed series, but we watched a bit of this movie and it was honestly disturbing. It taught kids religion through fear. Definitely not passable for the non religious crowd.
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AGE
More Veggie Tales Fun!
Great slap-stick fun! Witty turns and connections. Love the first plague!
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| Studio: | Big Idea |
| Director: | Mike Nawrocki |
| Cast: | Lisa Vischer, Mike Nawrocki, Phil Vischer |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 45 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | March 6, 2007 |
| DVD release date: | March 6, 2007 |
| MPAA rating: | NR |
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