Product Description

Studio: Genius Products Inc Release Date: 09/14/2004

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #25360 in DVD
• Brand: GENIUS PRODUCTS INC
• Released on: 2004-02-10
• Rating: Unrated
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .25 pounds
• Running time: 30 minutes

Amazon.com essential video
Well, it had to happen--Archibald Asparagus is hosting his own VeggieTales show. The 15th video from this groundbreaking Christian-lite company gives us plenty of what makes the series so much fun: leader Bob the Tomato, daffy Larry the Cucumber, catchy songs, and scattershot humor. Tired of the wacky ways of the normal VeggieTales shows, Archibald wants to inject an element of class. First up: an all-vegetable staging of Hamlet. Unfortunately, the only script that can be found is a slightly different version called "Omelet." The Bard's famous lines take a beating with the usual Monty Python-esque humor of the Veggie crew. Next, after an Archibald-influenced "Silly Songs with Larry" segment, the featured event of the evening proves to be the lost Gilbert & Sullivan musical Lyle the Kindly Viking. This brawny band of Vikings love their job (and have an affinity for big-screen TVs) but cannot understand why the meek Lyle (Junior Asparagus, natch) wants to share his meager belongings with their victims. Certainly, the sharing ways of Lyle will win the day. After such experiments as the Larry-Boy shows, which dropped the series' familiar opening and even Bob himself, this familiarly structured VeggieTales video is a joy to watch and illustrates how far the creators have come while sticking to their roots. For ages 4 and up. --Doug Thomas

Customer Reviews

Just FABULOUS! This one is more like the earlier Veggies!
Our family just watched this video and it was one of the best, I think! Esther was good, but I missed the Silly Song, and the wonderful humor that has become so characteristic of Veggie Tales.

Remember when Jimmy and Jerry Gourd decided to take over the show? Well, in this episode Archibald Asparagus tries to put some class into the story - the story is "Omelet" bearing strong resemblance to "Hamlet". Adults, listen carefully - there are MANY hilarious allusions to Shakespeare in this segment!

The "Silly Song with Larry" was "Classic Song with Larry" - just as hilarious, though!

The theme of the whole video is sharing and the main story, about Lyle, a Viking who does not enjoy the pillaging and plundering that seems to be part of being a Viking. Instead, Lyle (played by Junior Asparagus) goes out and gives the small bag of loot that the others give him back to the people, along with his handmade potholders! It is very touching and very funny at the same time.

The music for this most recent Veggie video was OUTSTANDING! Songs that will definitely stick in your head. Extremely creative, very well-produced, and lots of fun. Not to mention having the lesson of the importance of sharing.

Please do not think that these Veggie Tales videos are just for kids! Indeed, children would not pick up on a lot of the humor -Big Idea has really found something that appeals to children and adults alike. The group that watched the video tonight consisted of 2 40-somethings, 2 21-year-olds, and an 18 year old. I'm eager to have some little kids over so I can watch it with them!

Please check out my other reviews of Christian books, music, and videos! King George and the Ducky was excellent as well!

Shakespeare, Gilbert & Sullivan, and a high silk hat
When Archibald Asparagus takes the lead in the new VeggieTales production (focused on sharing), it is with the aim of making the show more serious and high minded. Fortunuately for us, the viewers, it makes it sillier than ever. Hoorah!

We start with a rendition of Shakespeare's not-so-famous play, "Omelet." We enjoy some amusing variations on well known lines, including "2B?" "Not 2B"--in the context of Battleship. The french peas are particularly endearing.

The standard Silly Song With Larry has been replaced by a Classy Song With Larry at Archibald's request, having a couple strong resemblances to Forrest Gump.

The title story, "Lyle the Kindly Viking", features an adorable Junior Asparagus as Lyle, the potholder-making, warbley-singing little viking boy. Larry the Cucumber is also amusing as Sven, who has a difficult time grasping the fact that, though this is a musical (this is where Gilbert & Sullivan come in), he doesn't have to sing EVERYTHING.

Everything about this VeggieTales is charming, hilarious, and filled with the kind of values that make the series so popular. The DVD is even better than the VHS, because in addition to the improved video and sound quality, we also get an interview with the creators, a wide screen version of Larry's song, and a storyboard comparison. Either way you go, the animation is high quality, the songs are catchy, and it's loads of fun!

Lyle Brings Veggies Back From The Brink
Okay, I have to admit that when I watched Esther and only laughed like 3 times I was sacred that Big Idea had lost the big idea. But not so. LYLE THE KINDLY VIKING takes us back to the good old veggie days. THe songs are silly, the jokes are funny and the plot hillarious. AS Archibald takes over to add a highbrow attitude to the show we find the play Omlet featuring my favorites: THE GOURDS! It is way funny! Then the lost Goilbert and Sullivan operetta LYLE THE KINDLY VIKING is discovered. Another halarious romp. This is the first Veggie DVD and it is a nice attempt. I am sure there will be more special features to come. The storyboard speecial feature was a little lame but the interviews are nice. THe widescreen silly song was an interesting choice....END