Review for VeggieTales: Twas the Night Before Easter

Veggie Tales is a computer animated show that mixes song and stories with a deeper spiritual meaning from the Bible. Now I know what you're thinking: That's going to be preachy, I don't want my kid watching that! Ok, now hold on there. This isn't a preachy show that talks down to kids or indeed scares them through religion it is simply a story that teaches children how to live their lives right and there can't be anything wrong with that now can there?

'Twas the Night Before Easter tells the story of Marlee Meade who wants to help people by putting on a spectacular Easter show 'Up with Bunnies'. However the church have organized a huge Easter concert featuring 'America's Got British Judges' winner Cassie Cassava (Melinda Doolittle) which the whole of Crispy County is coming to see. Marlee has to figure a way to get Cassie to sing at their show and not have it be just a group of bad singers and a giant mechanical bunny.

Of course Veggie Tales is not meant for me, aimed at a pre-school audience, but I have to say I really enjoyed watching this. There was a self awareness (such as the name of the TV Show above) that made me smile. The characters are fun and their jokes to each other where not just simple things, but things that even grownups would find amusing with all the asides and jokes and no more so than in the Silly Song 'The Hopperana'. This section presented by Jean Claude and Philippe Pea this song and dance just seems to come from out of nowhere more like something from the Animaniacs. I defy anyone to not hear this and not have the song running through their head for days… I can still hear it and I can't quite tell if that's a good thing or a bad thing!

As I say, these tales do have a Christian emphasis and this could put some people off and I do have to admit that when they start talking about Jesus it does seem to come out of the blue. However, it isn't so heavy handed that it leaves a bitter taste and in fact the use of morals in the tale made it seem a lot nicer to watch. The end of the story and the message given is one that is positive and even if you are not religious in any way it is still a nice thing to be taught.

The DVD is filled with extras, a lot more than I expected. There is a commentary, interview with Melinda Doolittle, a backstage pass to the Veggie Tales tour with Larry the Cucumber, a Easter Card Matching game and a sing along version of 'The Hopperana'. All these are great little additions and though the little ones may not want to watch with a commentary or any of the behind the scenes stuff, the game is fun and I think I may be addicted to 'The Hopperana' so no doubt the kids will too.

Veggie Tales 'Twas the Night Before Easter is a great DVD and even if you are not Christian or even religious the story is fun and has a positive message for your developing child to take in. Just don't say I warned you about 'doing The Hopperana'.