Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie Blu-ray Review

"Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie" is presented in AVC encoded 1080p transfer, framed at 1.78:1, producing a sharp and clean visual experience. Given the film’s modest budget, the CGI rendering isn't teeming with fine detail, primarily showcasing smooth, geometrical character designs with minimal texture intricacies. While not achieving Pixar or DreamWorks-level animation, the lines here are distinctly sharp, and the colors vibrant with highly appealing saturation. An isolated dream sequence featuring effulgent white light approaches blooming but otherwise maintains clarity and an engaging brightness.

The resemblance to early CGI work, such as Pixar's short "Knick Knack," is evident. Textural elements are sparse, with surfaces remaining flat and shiny, indicative of the low-budget aesthetic, though this doesn't significantly detract from the visual enjoyment. Notably, hard angles and straight lines are acutely defined. While some textures appear superficially applied, likely due to budget constraints, the overall video quality on this Blu-ray release remains robust. It provides a clear, vividly colorful viewing experience that will undoubtedly captivate younger audiences.

The Blu-ray of "Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie" features a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix that stands out with its engaging and immersive sound elements. The title sequence immediately grabs attention with enveloping bubble sounds that fill the room, while a variety of meticulously crafted sound effects maintain a high level of immersion throughout the film. Dialogue is clean and well articulated, consistently positioned at the front and smoothly transitioning with character movements. Notable audio highlights include the whale sequence, where directional effects, though not overwhelmingly thunderous, still deliver an appreciable rumble from the subwoofer, designed to balance excitement without being too intense for younger audiences.

The musical score is equally delightful, offering excellent fidelity and dynamic range that brings the charming songs to life. Ambient sound plays a significant role in enhancing the overall experience, continuously feeding through the rear speakers for added atmosphere. From the initial car crash scene to several musical interludes, the LFE is impressively robust, providing deep rumbles that contribute to the film's sonic texture without overshadowing other elements. This balance between impactful bass and clear dialogue defines the audio presentation as a surprisingly immersive experience, perfectly complementing the movie's vivid storytelling.

The Blu-ray release of "Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie" offers a comprehensive array of bonus features that cater to both fans and cinephiles. Three feature commentaries provide varied insights: the creators Phil Vischer and Mike Nawrocki deliver an entertaining and informative track, while producer Ameake Owen and director of animation Marc Vulcano dive into technical filmmaking aspects. The third commentary, with Vischer and Nawrocki in character as Larry and Mr. Lunt, adds a humorously surreal element. Additionally, the "Behind the Scenes" section is divided into four segments offering glimpses into the studio process, an office tour, adaptations of the biblical story, and character voice auditions. There are faux outtakes, progression reels of animated sequences, a music video, and various promotional scenes.

Extras included in this disc:

• Feature Commentaries: Insights from creators, producers, and directors, plus a humorous in-character track.
• The Studio Process: From story creation to final production.
• Big Idea Tour with Phil Vischer: A tour of the Big Idea offices.
• Jonah and the Bible: Adapting the biblical story.
• Khalil Auditions: Different voice approaches for a new character.
• Music Video: "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything" by Superchick.
• Outtakes: Faux fumbles and gags.
• Progression Reels: Split-screen look at various stages of animation.
• Digital Dailies: Outtake-type material with character commentary.
• Extra Countertop Scenes: Promotional spots for the film.

"Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie" offers an engaging and uniquely whimsical retelling of the biblical story of Jonah, imbued with the signature humor and vibrant animation that has become synonymous with the VeggieTales franchise. The brainchild of Phil Vischer and Mike Nawrocki, this film manages to balance its didactic intentions with an amusing and playful narrative that avoids overt dogmatism. The story centers around Jonah, presented humorously through an anthropomorphic asparagus, and integrates elements of iconic comedy akin to Monty Python, creating an experience that entertains both children and adults.

The plot unfolds as Bob the Tomato and a group of Veggie kids, accompanied by Archibald Asparagus, head to a concert but end up diverted into a series of misadventures. This setup leads to a tavern where The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything introduce the tale of Jonah, blending modern humor with traditional storytelling. The caterpillar Khalil adds another layer of comic relief as Jonah’s sidekick, helping to navigate through both his comical and profound experiences. The incorporation of slapstick elements—such as the inhabitants of Nineveh slapping each other with fish—further enhances the film's quirky charm.

By the film's conclusion, Jonah learns a powerful lesson about forgiveness and second chances. The viewer appreciates not only the colorful animation and catchy musical numbers—crafted to keep children engaged—but also the deeper messages communicated in a nuanced manner. With its brisk pacing, endearing characters, and meaningful yet light-hearted approach, "Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie" succeeds as a family-friendly cinematic venture, capable of providing wholesome entertainment without being saccharine. It’s an exemplary choice for families seeking both moral instruction and merriment.

"Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie" offers an engaging experience for young viewers, built with a vibrant animation style and complemented by solid voice work and entertaining music. As a Blu-ray release, the video quality is remarkably crisp and visually appealing, especially in scenes that involve the elaborate underwater sequences. The audio presentation is equally impressive, delivering clear and dynamic sound that enhances the overall viewing experience.

The film itself is structured to appeal primarily to toddlers and young children, successfully using humor and whimsical storytelling to hold their attention. The inclusion of in-character commentary adds an extra layer of charm that parents might appreciate, providing some additional context and background. However, while the movie excels in its primary aim of being an engaging kids' film, the special features accompanying the Blu-ray release don't particularly stand out beyond this commentary.

Ultimately, "Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie" may not captivate every adult viewer, but it triumphs in its ability to entertain its intended audience—the young ones. The colorful presentation and offbeat humor make it a tolerable, if not enjoyable, experience for parents watching alongside their kids. Given these attributes, it serves as a valuable tool for both entertainment and imparting lessons from the Good Book in a humorous, digestible format.

Yes, it's patently silly, but what better way to get your kids to get a little—ahem—taste of the Good Book? VeggieTales saves itself from even cynics (like me) by being flat-out ridiculous a lot of the time, and that off-the-wall humor makes this a pain-free enterprise. Buoyed by good voice work, a colorful visual presentation, and fun music, even parents may want to stick around and see what happens to Jonah. And think of it this way: if you can't get your kids to eat vegetables, at least you can get them to watch them with this delightful little film. Highly recommended.