God Is for Us in VeggieTales’ Robin Good

DVD Release Date: March 3, 2012
Rating: Not rated
Genre: Animation, Children, Family
Run Time: Approx. 45 min.
Director: Brian K. Roberts
Actors: Larry the Cucumber, Bob the Tomato, Asparagus family (aka Mike Nawrocki, Phil Vischer, & Lisa Vischer)

The stars of the produce aisle are back in an all-new adventure that addresses a multitude of issues facing kids and parents alike. VeggieTales®: Robin Good and His Not-So-Merry Men is a charming animation that might actually step on a few toes.

Times are hard in the medieval village of Bethlingham. This once-proud hamlet, known for the quality of its pork products, has fallen on times so hard children are forced to celebrate birthdays with birthday gruel instead of the traditional ham. Robin Good (Larry the Cucumber) and his band are out to change all that, with tireless fundraising activities. Fundraise from the rich and give to the poor, that’s their motto! But when times get tough, the rich aren’t as generous as they once were. Worst of all, the greedy Prince declares that all hams now belong to him.

At this point adults—especially those in middle management—will feel decided sympathy for the town Sheriff, ably portrayed by Bob the Tomato. He doesn’t agree with the Prince’s pork policy, but it’s his job to enforce it. What’s a tomato to do? Where should he draw the line between standing up for what’s right and just doing his job?

Robin’s men, discouraged by the overwhelming need around them, decide to take back those hams from the evil prince. He doesn’t have any right to them so why shouldn’t they break a bad law in a good cause? It’s a good question, and one some adults may wrestle with as much as the veggies in the tale. Children will note that actions have consequences—like refusing to do what’s wrong and losing your friends in the process.

Abandoned by his friends, Robin alone fights the good fight in an honorable way. He’s a little naïve if he thinks the Prince will give up his greedy ways when confronted by the truth—but fortunately the plucky cucumber is not as alone as he seems. God is on his side and along the way Robin (and the viewer) learns the value of Psalms 55:22, “Take your burdens to the Lord, for He will take care of you.”

Besides the major theme of the story (there’s no hurt too big for God), Robin Good shares valuable lessons on peer pressure, whether the end justifies the means, forgiveness, greed, and how to be a good friend. When the Sheriff is thrown into the Dungeon of Despair (it’s like the regular dungeon—only with more despair) for standing up to the Prince, Robin goes to help. He doesn’t just throw a rope; he holds out a hand of friendship and a reason for hope. (Which is pretty good considering he doesn’t actually have hands.)

Robin Good includes all the features we’ve come to expect from a VeggieTale; clever writing, multiple life lessons, fun music, English peas with French accents (a personal favorite), and enough plot wrinkles to make it worth watching almost as many times as little ones will want to. It’s hard to resist the charm of bathroom-plunger-tipped arrows flying hither and yon, a nod to the famous “who’s on first” dialogue, or Robin’s consternation when his cunning plan to stop a marauding giant goes awry.

In addition to the main feature, the DVD holds the story of “Lenny and the Lost Birthday” about a young asparagus who wakes up ready to celebrate on his special day, only to find that everyone has forgotten his birthday. It’s a sweet nod to classic children’s book Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day with a reminder that you’re special to God no matter what, and an illuminating lesson on Leap Year.

CAUTIONS:

• Drugs/Alcohol: Something of a ham overdose, but that’s gluttony.
• Language/Profanity: None. 
• Sex/Nudity: None.
• Violence: Larry appears wearing a large bandage and sporting a crutch (and has an offstage fall); plunger-tipped arrows fly; a few hard landings; a giant threatens to attack; two small peas are nearly squashed (but our hero arrives in time).
• Spiritual Themes: Giving burdens to God, doing what’s right in the face of peer pressure, giving to those in need, not giving in to despair, finding self-worth from God.

BONUS FEATURES:

• Leapin' Leap Year Lesson
• "Fun"-Raising with Larry
• "Things Will Get Better" - Singalong Song
• "Prince of Ham" - Singalong Song
• Robin Good's Guide to Handling Hurt - Discussion Guide
• 5.1 Surround Sound
• English and Spanish Subtitles
• Plus, an all new Silly Song