| The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: A VeggieTales Movie | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Mike Nawrocki |
| Written by | Phil Vischer |
| Based on | VeggieTales by Phil Vischer Mike Nawrocki |
| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Edited by | John Wahba |
| Music by | Kurt Heinecke |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
Release date |
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Running time | 85 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $15 million[1][better source needed] |
| Box office | $13.2 million[2] |
The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: A VeggieTales Movie is a 2008 American animated adventure comedy film directed byMike Nawrocki, written byPhil Vischer, produced byBig Idea and distributed byUniversal Pictures. It is the second of the two theatrical films to feature characters from theVeggieTales video series followingJonah: A VeggieTales Movie in 2002, and is the onlyVeggieTales media that does not explicitly mention God or Biblical morals. However, several scenes parallel Scripture, such as characters not knowing when the King will return.[citation needed] This is also the final film in the franchise to feature any involvement from Vischer and Nawrocki before their departure from Big Idea in 2021.[3]
The film was released in theaters on January 11, 2008, to mixed reviews from critics, who criticized the script but praised the animation. The film was abox-office bomb, grossing only $13 million worldwide on a $15 million budget. A third theatricalVeggieTales film titledLarryBoy, is set for release in 2026.[citation needed]
In the 17th century, an evil pirate named Robert the Terrible attacks and boards one of the Kingdom of Monterria's ships, capturing his teenage nephew Prince Alexander. Eluding the pirates, Alexander's younger sister Princess Eloise and her servant Willory (played byArchibald Asparagus) send a device that the king made, called a "Helpseeker," to find heroes to save Alexander.
In modern times, three misfits: the passive George (played byPa Grape), the lazy Sedgewick (played byMr. Lunt), and the timid Elliot (played byLarry the Cucumber) are employees at a pirate-themed dinner theater. Although they want to be seen as heroes by their loved ones, as lowly cabin boys they believe their dream is unattainable. After accidentally damaging the set while auditioning for the show one night, they are fired and thrown into an alley. The Helpseeker locates them and, after Elliot activates the device, transports the trio back in time to Monterria.
Meeting the Princess and Willory, the group sets off to Jolly Joe's Tavern where they learn that Robert, the younger brother of the king before being banished, has kidnapped Alexander in the hopes of exacting revenge on the king. Setting sail in search of the whereabouts of Robert's hideout, Robert's men capture Eloise and Willory. As George and Elliot continue on their quest, a cowardly Sedgewick decides to stay behind in a cave filled with "cheese curls". After the two leave, Sedgewick discovers the curls are instead living worm-like creatures which chase him out of the cave, forcing him to overcome his fear and laziness.
Sedgewick meets up with George and Elliot, having swum the ocean being chased by the living worm-like creatures after the two arrived on an island populated by a family of rock giants, who help them make it to Robert's fortress. Arriving at a hidden bay outside of the fortress, the trio are attacked by a giant serpent. However, Elliot realizes the guardian is actually a mechanical device and saves his friends by shutting the serpent down with a lever in its throat. Once inside, George, Sedgewick, and Elliot rescue the prince and princess but are confronted by Robert, who demands to know when the king is returning. With no other choice, George, Sedgewick, and Elliot confess that they are "only cabin boys," and not heroes. But, suddenly, finding his self-respect, George uses a chandelier to knock the pirate down and the group escapes through the fortress'scistern with Robert and his men in hot pursuit. Back in the bay, Robert's ship opens fire on the group's small boat. The king arrives, sinks Robert's ship, and rescues the group.
After receiving medals from the king and being declared heroes, the Helpseeker returns Elliot, George, and Sedgewick to the restaurant. Unbeknownst to them, Robert has stowed away on their trip back to get revenge on them for defeating him and attacks the dinner theater set and mistakes Sir Frederick (played byJimmy Gourd), one of the stage performers, for George. In a final showdown, the trio defeat Robert and send him back to the past. The audience cheer wildly as the gang earn the respect they had desired. Offered a second chance to be in the show, the three refuse and leave to pursue adventure elsewhere one more time as the Helpseeker blinks once again. The film ends with the entire cast singing "Rock Monster", a parody ofThe B-52's' hit "Rock Lobster". Once they are done singing,Bob the Tomato finally makes his appearance, as the director. Later, Robert is arrested by the King for his crimes as he is shown dancing to the music during the credits along with his imprisoned henchmen.
During production on their first movieJonah: A VeggieTales Movie, Big Idea had already started exploring ideas for additional films, such as a prequel about the in-universe origins of VeggieTales and a spinoff of The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything, a group of characters introduced inVery Silly Songs!. The prequel, titledThe Bob and Larry Movie, was scheduled to be Big Idea's second feature film, with a planned release in 2005; however, the movie was scrapped in mid-2003 due to Big Idea's bankruptcy and acquisition byClassic Media.[4][5]
In 2004,Phil Vischer revealed on his website that Classic Media was interested in another feature film and that both the Pirates spin-off andThe Bob and Larry Movie were being considered for relaunch.[6] Ultimately,The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything was chosen and entered production in late 2005.
Vischer completed the script for this film in 2002, noting that he wrote it beforePirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) was released.[7] The animation was done byBig Idea, Inc., and animation production was done byStarz Animation.[7]
According to thereview aggregator websiteRotten Tomatoes, 43% of critics have given the film a positive review based on 35 reviews, with an average rating of 4.92/10. The site's critics consensus reads, "ThisVeggietale should please the youngest crowds, but the silly script will tire the more discerning viewer."[8] AtMetacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 49 out of 100 based on 13 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[9] The film earned $12.7 million forUniversal Studios out of an estimated $15 million budget.[10]
The film was released onDVD on October 14, 2008.[citation needed]
Several original songs are performed in the film by the characters. When the credits are paused, "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything" (sung byRelient K) and "Rock Monster" can be heard.
| No. | Title | Performer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Spanish Gold" | Cast | |
| 2. | "Jolly Joe's" | Jim Poole,Phil Vischer &Mike Nawrocki | |
| 3. | "Yo Ho Hero" | Newsboys &Steve Taylor | |
| 4. | "Papa's Got a Gumball Nellie" | Mike Nawrocki | |
| 5. | "Walking Rocks" | Mike Nawrocki | |
| 6. | "Spanish Gold (Reprise)" | Cast | |
| 7. | "What We Gonna Do?" | TobyMac |