Veggie Tales

The Wonderful Wizard of Ha’s

Big Idea

Grade - B

With great anticipation I ripped open my latest mailing from Hoganson’s Media knowing that it was the newest Veggie DVD, “The Wonderful World of Ha’s.”  Having read the press release email a few days earlier, I was pumped to see how the Veggies would tackle such a classic as “The Wizard of Oz.” 

Having loved the veggie interpretation “Lord of the Rings,” titled “Lord of the Beans,” I was sure that this would be a parody like no other.  Sadly, the animated tale did not meet my expectations.  The parody followed the original very loosely and progressed along much to rapidly, leaving out many key elements of the original Oz that could have made an even better episode.  Personally, I would have waited to use this story until I had more time to invest in the episode. 

However, I still give it a good passing grade because the characters and elements that were derived from the original were used reasonably well to tell the story of the prodigal son.  As creator Phil Vischer has stated, “The biblical story of the prodigal son has a lesson every child needs to hear, ‘The Wizard of Oz’ turned out to be the perfect framework to communicate that message in a really entertaining way.”

Ken W.

Synopsis: Follow Darby to the Wonderful Land of Ha’s!

Meet Darby, the son of a Kansas floss farmer, who just wants to have fun.  When he learns about the Wonderful Land of Ha’s and its mysterious Wizard who makes dreams come true, Darby is determined to go –even against his father’s wishes.

Along the way to Ha’s, Darby meets a bored scarecrow, a tin man who wants to ride roller coasters, and a lion that craves cotton candy.  Each with their own dreams, they join together and set off to see the Wizard.

But when Darby reaches Ha’s, will he find all he’s searching for…and at what price? Will it be worth everything he has given up – his home back on the farm?  His father’s love? Harvesting floss?  Find out in an enchanting family adventure that reminds kids everywhere that there’s nothing like forgiveness and there’s no place like home.