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I've lost track of how many Veggie Tales videos have been released since 1993.  They have sold over 42 million copies, and I think my six year old daughter is responsible for at least ten per cent of that number.   She is the local Veggie Tales evangelist, encouraging other families to buy them, and making sure her friends see them when they visit.  The latest Big Idea Production is Sheerluck Holmes and the Golden Ruler, and in my daughter's words: "it is funny."

The opening short story is a parody of Don Quixote. Featuring Archibald Asparagus as the deluded Man of La Mancha, the story takes place in a successful local diner whose business is threatened by the impending arrival of corporate giant Food Factory (think Wal-Mart meets McDonalds).   While his friend Sancho Panza (Mr. Lunt) watches warily from the wings, Quixote attempts various methods of taking down the evil empire across the street, to no avail.   The message here is that his friend acts in his best interests, never letting Quixote go too far, and supporting him in his quest whenever possible.  This being a Veggie Tale, it ends with all parties coming to a peaceable solution. 

As usual, we are graced with a short "Silly Song by Larry."  "The Gated Community" delightfully skewers its titular subject, and the separation between the community and its neighbors.  Matthew West and Matthew Ward chip in some vocals on this piece.

The feature is "Sheerluck Holmes and the Golden Ruler."  Done as a musical, the story showcases Larry the Cucumber as Sheerluck Holmes, the world's most prominent detective (just ask him!), and Bob the Tomato as the faithful Dr. Watson.   The two friends have a conflict – it seems Holmes' ego is getting in the way of their latest case.  His boasting over his detective prowess threatens to break up their friendship, and leave their latest case unsolved.  Wrapped around songs that recall both vaudeville and the Marx Brothers, the story resolves itself with Holmes showing a new appreciation for his sidekick. 

As always, the videos are filled with lessons that work for the kids and enough in jokes for the adults that hearing them a few times isn't an exercise in tedium.   Childrens' videos tend to half a half life of about three viewings before they become distasteful to most adults, yet the Veggie Tales group has always managed to avoid this – this may be their biggest selling point aside from their moral messages.   Sheerluck Holmes ranks somewhere in the upper middle of their output – higher than Minnesota Cuke, but lower than King George & the Ducky.

Brian A. Smith
19 March 2006