RottenTomatoes.com
Log In | Register | What is RT?
Found a Bug? Squash It! Report Bugs Here
  • Home
  • Movies
  • DVD
  • Celebrities
  • News
  • Critics
  • Trailers & Pictures
  • CommunityBeta
  • Box Office
  • | Best Of
  • | Certified Fresh
  • | Showtimes
RT Search Powered by Google
help icon Enhanced RT
searches on Google
Click here to turn on enhanced search results from RT on your Google searches.
 
Movies / On DVD / Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie
Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie

Rate this Movie Help Icon

  • Write a Review
  • Read Reviews
  • Add to List
  • Buy Poster External Icon
  • Visit Official Site External Icon
Bookmark and Share

Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie (2002)

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
  • DVD
65 %
Tomatometer
Template ImageTemplate Image

How does the Tomatometer work Help Icon

Reviews Counted:54

Fresh:35

Rotten:19

Average Rating:5.8/10

Consensus: Jonah teaches wholesome messages to children in a funny, bouncy package.

Runtime: 83 mins

Genre: Childrens

Synopsis: Get ready for the biggest event in VeggieTales history -- the first feature-length film showcasing the characters you love, as well as some new friends that will take you on the adventure of a... Get ready for the biggest event in VeggieTales history -- the first feature-length film showcasing the characters you love, as well as some new friends that will take you on the adventure of a lifetime!

The action begins on a moonlit night when a van of singing Veggies encounter some unexpected trouble. After a heated battle with a clothesline, a pair of boxer shorts and, yes, porcupines, Bob the Tomato and the Veggie kids find themselves at an old, rundown seafood joint where nothing is quite as it seems.

Here they encounter "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything," the laziest bunch of scalawags and biggest root beer consumers to never sail the Seven Seas. As Bob and the kids settle in to wait for a tow truck to help get their van back on the road, these curious Pirates share a little story about a guy named Jonah. As the story begins, we are transported to another time and place, where society moves a bit slower than in today's times.

Now Jonah is kind of like a mailman -- except his messages came straight from God! Jonah loves his job, until the day comes when he has to deliver a message to the people of Nineveh. You see, Jonah hates the Ninevites. They lie! They steal! But worst of all, they slap people with fishes! Instead of carrying out his mission, Jonah turns and sets sail in the opposite direction onboard a pirate ship. From the hold of this vessel, where he meets Khalil, a chatty carpet salesman who just happens to be a caterpillar, to the belly of a whale where he meets -- whoops! We can't tell you who he meets there -- to the heart of Nineveh for a hilarious showdown, Jonah goes on an adventure none of them (ncluding the whale) will soon forget! And everyone will learn that one of the best gifts you can give (or get) is a second chance.

This eye-popping animated film will be in theatres this fall, and is brought to you by Big Idea Productions, the creators of the wildly popular CGI video series, VeggieTales. -- © FHE Pictures [More]

Starring: Tim Hodge, Lisa Vischer, Dan Anderson, Kristin Blegen

Starring: Tim Hodge, Lisa Vischer, Dan Anderson, Kristin Blegen, Shelby Vischer

Director: Phil Vischer, Mike Nawrocki

Director: Phil Vischer, Mike Nawrocki
Screenwriter: Phil Vischer, Mike Nawrocki
Producer: Ameake Owens
Composer: Kurt Heinecke, Phil Vischer
Studio: FHE Pictures

[See More Credits]

  • Trailers
  • Pictures
1 - 4 of 4

See More Movie Trailers & Pictures

Reviews for Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
  • DVD
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by critic A-Z; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

The messages of compassion and mercy are clearly, squarely and specifically expounded via computer animated Old Testament tale of Jonah and the Whale. Determined to be fun, and bouncy, with energetic musicals, the humor didn't quite engage this adult.

Full Review Source: Hollywood Report Card | comment Comment
10/03/02
Ross Anthony
Ross Anthony
Hollywood Report Card

How anyone over the age of 2 can stomach the touchy-feely message this preachy produce promotes is beyond us.

Full Review Source: Citysearch | comment Comment
10/04/02
Jordana Brown
Jordana Brown
Citysearch

It's a format that probably works best for an audience that is faith-based or very young, but for others it's simply a pleasant opportunity for an occasional giggle at the folly of mankind and the underrated value of veggies.

Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine | comment Comment
10/06/02
Bridget Byrne
Bridget Byrne
Boxoffice Magazine

Theology aside, why put someone who ultimately doesn't learn at the center of a kids' story?

Full Review Source: Chicago Tribune | comment Comment
10/03/02
Mark Caro
Mark Caro
Chicago Tribune

Probably the best case for Christianity since Chesterton and Lewis.

Full Review Source: Film Freak Central | comment Comment
03/22/03
Walter Chaw
Walter Chaw
Film Freak Central

One thing you have to give them credit for: The message of the movie is consistent with the messages espoused in the company's previous video work.

Full Review Source: Dallas Morning News | comment Comment
10/03/02
Nancy Churnin
Nancy Churnin
Dallas Morning News

You won't have any trouble getting kids to eat up these Veggies.

Full Review Source: Quad City Times (Davenport, IA) | comment Comment
10/07/02
Linda Cook
Linda Cook
Quad City Times (Davenport, IA)

The movie is a blast of educational energy, as bouncy animation and catchy songs escort you through the entire 85 minutes.

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
10/24/02
Pete Croatto
Pete Croatto
Filmcritic.com

For VeggieTales fans, this is more appetizing than a side dish of asparagus. If you're not a fan, it might be like trying to eat Brussels sprouts.

Full Review Source: TheMovieChicks.com | comment Comment
10/04/02
Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone
Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone
TheMovieChicks.com

I'm not generally a fan of vegetables but this batch is pretty cute.

Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
10/17/02
Curt Fields
Curt Fields
Washington Post

Bouncy animation and catchy songs keep the film from tasting too much like spinach.

Full Review Source: Entertainment Weekly | comment Comment
10/24/02
Bruce Fretts
Bruce Fretts
Entertainment Weekly

The film thrusts the inchoate but already eldritch Christian Right propaganda machine into national media circles.

Full Review Source: Film Journal International | comment Comment
10/05/02
Maria Garcia
Maria Garcia
Film Journal International

Generally provides its target audience of youngsters enough stimulating eye and ear candy to make its moral medicine go down.

Full Review Source: Sacramento News & Review | comment Comment
10/10/02
Mark Halverson
Mark Halverson
Sacramento News & Review

The script, the gags, the characters are all direct-to-video stuff, and that’s where this film should have remained.

Full Review Source: Reno Gazette-Journal | comment Comment
10/18/02
Forrest Hartman
Forrest Hartman
Reno Gazette-Journal

These veggies go down pretty easily.

Full Review Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press | comment Comment
10/04/02
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul)
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul)
St. Paul Pioneer Press

Despite its obvious agenda, the film moves along at a good clip (clocking in at 80 some minutes) and should entertain adults nearly as much as the kids.

Full Review Source: Screen It! | comment Comment
10/18/02
Jim Judy
Jim Judy
Screen It!

A whale of a good time for both children and parents seeking Christian-themed fun.

Full Review Source: Reel.com | comment Comment
10/19/02
Mary Kalin-Casey
Mary Kalin-Casey
Reel.com

The animation is competent, and some of the gags are quite funny, but Jonah ... never shakes the oppressive, morally superior good-for-you quality that almost automatically accompanies didactic entertainment.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
10/17/02
Dave Kehr
Dave Kehr
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Children, Christian or otherwise, deserve to hear the full story of Jonah's despair -- in all its agonizing, Catch-22 glory -- even if they spend years trying to comprehend it.

Full Review Source: Seattle Times | comment Comment
10/04/02
Tom Keogh
Tom Keogh
Seattle Times

Occasionally, in the course of reviewing art-house obscurities and slam-bam action flicks, a jaded critic smacks into something truly new.

Full Review Source: Globe and Mail | comment Comment
10/04/02
Liam Lacey
Liam Lacey
Globe and Mail
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by critic A-Z; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 >> >|
all

Latest News for Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie

January 10, 2008: Box Office Guru Preview: Captain Jack and Captain Morgan Set Sail
For the first time in three weeks, studios will pack a Friday with plenty of new releases as four films open or expand nationwide giving the box office chart a major shakeup.... More...

See All

More DVDs

Top Rentals
Tomatometer Percentage Movie
15% 15% The Ugly Truth
98% 98% Up
36% 36% G.I. Joe: The Rise of …
52% 52% The Taking of Pelham 1…
45% 45% Ice Age: Dawn of the D…

More Rentals…

New On DVD This Week
Tomatometer Percentage Movie
36% 36% Angels & Demons
68% 68% Funny People
25% 25% Four Christmases
45% 45% Shorts
53% 53% David & Layla

More New Releases…

What’s Hot On RT

Prince of Persia

Prince of Persia

Your first look at the swashbuckler.

Vampires

Vampires

We rank cinema's bloodsuckers.

Avatar

Avatar

The full trailer for Cameron's epic.

2012

2012

12 facts about Emmerich's disaster flick.

Other News

  • Top Stories
  • Popular
  • Interviews
 
 

Comments

 
 
Top Stories
Headlines Comments
  
  • First Look (Sort Of) at New Nightmare's Freddy Source: ShockTillYouDrop.com
21
  • First Look at Shrek Forever After Source: USA Today
44
  • Woody Harrelson Will Battle Zombies in 3-D Source: Moviehole
26
  • Natalie Portman Says Kat Denning Is in Thor Source: MTV
34
  • Disney Restructuring Has Broad Implications Source: Los Angeles Times
10
  • Joel Silver Talks Ninja Assassin, Sgt. Rock, Lobo, and More Source: Collider.com
1
  • Weekly Ketchup: Idris Elba cast in Thor, more Spider-Man 4 rumors
118
  • Idris Elba Joins Thor Source: Hollywood Reporter
112
  • Jackass 3D Coming in 2010? Source: Collider.com
32
  • 6 Reasons 'Twilight' Is Doomed Source: The Wrap
64
Popular
Headlines Comments
  
  • Box Office Guru Wrapup: New Moon Shatters Records
178
  • Critics Consensus: New Moon Wanes
131
  • Total Recall: John Travolta's Best Movies
76
  • Total Recall: Star-Crossed Lovers
75
  • Weekly Ketchup: Idris Elba cast in Thor, more Spider-Man 4 rumors
59
  • Critics Consensus: Flee From Ninja Assassin
40
  • Friday Harvest: New Moon, Avatar, and more!
32
  • 5 Facts About The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
26
  • Five Favorite Films With Zombieland Director Ruben Fleischer
20
  • "I Don't Hate Women": Lars von Trier on Antichrist
14
Interviews
Headlines Comments
  
  • "I Don't Hate Women": Lars von Trier on Antichrist
14
  • Eric Bana talks Love the Beast - RT Interview
10
  • Fight Club Sound Designer Reflects on Film's 10th Anniversary
20
  • James Schamus talks Taking Woodstock - RT Interview
7
  • John Hurt Talks Harry Potter, Quentin Crisp and Alien - The RT Interview
15
  • Terry Gilliam Talks Doctor Parnassus
20
  • Wes Anderson Talks Fantastic Mr. Fox - RT Interview
8
  • Wolverine Creator Len Wein Talks About the Film
28
  • Gavin Hood Talks Wolverine; Possible Sequel
28
  • Duncan Jones talks Moon, Sam Rockwell, and Mute
14
 
 

Sponsored Links

Around The Network

  • Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie at Rotten Tomatoes
  • Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie at IGN
  • Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie at AskMen

Fresh Links

Featured
RT on YouTube
RT on YouTube External Link

Subscribe to RT's YouTube channel and don't miss a second of our cracking video content.

RT on Twitter
RT on Twitter External Link

Follow Rotten Tomatoes and join us as we tweet about the week's releases.

 
 
About| Site Map| Help| RT To Go| Contact Us| Critics Submission| Linking to RT| Licensing| Movie List| Celebs List| Newsletter
IGN Logo

IGN.com | GameSpy | Comrade | Arena | FilePlanet | GameSpy Technology
TeamXbox | Planets | Vaults | VE3D | CheatsCodesGuides | GameStats | GamerMetrics
AskMen.com | Rotten Tomatoes | Direct2Drive | Green Pixels


By continuing past this page, and by the continued use of this site, you agree to be bound by and abide by the User Agreement.
Copyright 1998-2009, IGN Entertainment, Inc. About IGN | Support | Advertise | Privacy Policy | User Agreement | Subscribe to RT's XML feed! IGN RSS Feeds
IGN's enterprise databases running Oracle, SQL and MySQL are professionally monitored and managed by Pythian Remote DBA
Certain product data ©1995-present Muze, Inc. For personal use only. All rights reserved.