DVD Review: VeggieTales: It's A Meaningful Life

My family and I were recently sent a copy of the DVD, VeggieTales: It's A Meaningful Life.


VeggieTales: It's A Meaningful Life is a "spoof" of that famous similar sounding movie It's A Wonderful Life. Confession: I've never even seen that one. (I know, we're missing out). This tale has Larry the Cucumber playing Stewart in the football game of his life (very appropriate for Fall, right?) where he is injured and ~POOF!~ there goes his chance of a killer football contract and all the fame that goes along with it. Stewart deals with it and moves on - flash forward many moons to Stewart living a typical adult life, working at his family's toy train factory. Like all folks, he still wonders what if? What if he hadn't been injured? Would he have played in the big Salad Bowl and had a completely different life?

Thanks to a mysterious train conductor who has the ability to turn back time, Stewart gets the chance to rewind the clock. Will he be happy?

Would you, folks? Is the grass greener on the other side? I think we all have that moment where we wonder if something had happened differently, if our lives would be just as different. This DVD teaches kids (and parents!) about contentment. The story also contains a great new song from Christian singer Steven Curtis Chapman called "Meant To Be". (Look for his daughter to be voicing Emma the Rhubarb, Stewart's daughter!)

While the religious message isn't as heavy as some of the previous VeggieTales titles, this one also teaches that there is a plan for each of us.

Here the trailer to the movie:



VeggieTales: It's A Meaningful Life contains some bonus features - there is some audio commentary, and the new silly song "Goodnight Junior" singalong. You'll also get to view Steven Curtis Chapman's video for the song "Meant To Be", as well as a behind the scenes exclusive interview with him. There is a meaningful family life guide for us parents to view, and another bonus - Larry Rides a Real Train. Train obsessed kiddos will enjoy that part for sure!

VeggieTales: It's A Meaningful Life is available now at your favorite Christian bookstore and other places, and it includes both widescreen and full screen formats on this one (yay!) The total running time (not including bonus features) is 48 minutes. Not rated, it's safe for all ages, and kids ages 2 through 8 will enjoy it the most. The suggested retail price is $14.97. (Amazon has it for $13.99 as of this posting.)

I received a copy of this DVD in order to write a review.