Today’s Prayer Focus
MOVIE REVIEW

Veggie Tales: Josh and the Big Wall

Reviewed by: Tim Emmerich
CONTRIBUTOR

Moral Rating: Excellent!
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience: 3 to Adult
Genre: Computer Animation
Length: 30 min.
Year of Release: 1997
USA Release:
Featuring
Director
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…Go to Ninevah and tell them to repent…
…Now that I’ve put mud in your eyes, go and wash it off and you will able to see…
…Turn the other cheek if someone strikes you…

We do get some direction from God that may not make logical sense, but God is our King so we should obey. As always, there are consequences to our actions and we can see that disobedience may yield undesirable consequences (unless you like spending three days in a big fish as Jonah did!). So, what if a big wall is in your way as you are heading towards the promised land and God’s direction is to “walk around it for 6 days and then blow your horns and scream on the 7th day”? Therein lies our story…

Replacing Moses, Joshua is leading the Israelites into the Promised Land (after a “brief” stint in the desert) but they run into a great wall at Jericho! Joshua seeks direction from God and gets his orders. Joshua and the Israelites proceed to march around the walls. However, the owners of the wall (French Peas) present a Monty Python style of taunting from the wall to Joshua and the Children of God below. Including a “slushie” bombardment. But God is faithful to the Children of Israel and the walls come down!

The lesson to be learned is obeying God, even if the directions sound weird (walk around the wall for 6 days, then blow the horns and scream on the 7th day?). While a lot of the details are left out, the general story is communicated well (no mention of Rahab, the residents of walled city were shaken not killed, and the Bible doesn’t mention any taunts coming down from the wall.) The video makes sure to point out that Bob the Tomato is using his imagination in the telling of the story so that could explain why details were left out (plus, how much can you fit into 30 minutes!?!).

An entertaining intermission is provided by Larry in “Silly Songs with Larry.” This time Larry is singing about a cebú which seems to be related to a cow but may be similar to a Water Buffalo as well.

Again, Big Idea has done an excellent job on the animation. Also, this video had nice songs (although not as spectacular as previous episodes). Overall, a very enjoyable time for all.

Some creative license was taken in the video which adds to the enjoyment. For instance, the Priest blowing their horns sounded like the tune “When the Saints Go Marching In.” There is also subtle humor for us older kids such as when the children of God are clapping a couple of them quietly converse saying “How are we clapping?” The response is “I have no idea.” (since Veggie TalesIt’s characters don’t have arms/hands.)


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