Larry-Boy! And the Fib from Outer Space!

I think it's time we do this. That's right, I'm gonna review.....

Yep, that's right, Larry-Boy! And the Fib from Outer Space! My personal favorite episode of VeggieTales of 1997, and dare I say it, the best episode of the entire series. Before we begin, I would like to give a shout-out to the Whatsoever Critic for her review on "Larry-Boy! and the Fib from Outer Space!" Here's the link: http://ama-critic32.blogspot.com/2013/09/larryboy-and-fib-from-outer-space-movie.html Now, on that note, let's begin.

The story begins with Percy and his brother, Li'l Pea leaving the movie theater after watching Invasion of the Cow Snatchers, when they talk about Percy's favorite part about switching the cow's brains, they see an unidentified falling object heading for Bumblyburg. Meanwhile, Jimmy Gourd complains about his job at the Bumblyburg Science Lab while Jerry Gourd, with Spock ears on him as a treckie sees the falling object first hand while Jimmy is totally oblivious. The alarm goes off, and when Jimmy says they should go back to their old jobs at Mr. Slushie, Jimmy finally does the the UFO and they know just who to call. Bring up the Larry-Signal ladies and gentleman!

The signal in the sky, let's go!

Larry-Boy's assistant, Alfred, played by Archibald Asparagus, sees the signal in the sky and informs to Larry-Boy that there's trouble brewing, however, Larry-Boy comically knocks Alfred down with one of his plunger ears. He rises from the shadows and sees the signal and says, "No time now, Alfred. Duty calls!" As he leaves, Alfred lies on the floor saying "I've fallen and I can't get up." If you have a chance to use that joke, always use it. It works every time. Also, note the danger skull sign from The Toy That Saved Christmas before the Larry-Cave opens. The UFO lands into the suburbs of Bumblyburg, and it's revealed to be a blue fib.

The next morning, we see Junior Asparagus, and his best friend, Laura play tea party with Junior's own teddy bear, Mr. Snuggly. However, there's a problem, they need one more plate before they could begin the tea party, that is until Junior finds his dad's collectible Art Bigotti limited edition collector's plate.

The creation of Art Bigotti was created solely to rhyme with naughty.

Laura suggests they should just go find another plate. But Junior insists that Mr. Snuggly is a very special bear and he deserves the special plate. However, the book shelf begins to tilt, Junior tries to keep it steady, but two books lands on the holder of the Art Bigotti plate, proceeding it to fall onto the floor and break into 10 triangle pieces. Before Junior could do anything, Laura dashes out the door so she wouldn't get into trouble. Leaving Junior along with a problem. That is until he hears a voice.

The voice was coming from behind Mr. Snuggly, it turns out to be the blue creature from earlier. he goes by the name of Fibrilious Minimus, or Fib for short, voiced by Tim Gregory. Junior thinks he might be new to the neighborhood, but more importantly, the Fib is here to help Junior out, because he noticed that Junior broke the plate, and he assumes his dad isn't gonna be happy about this. The Fib insists that Junior needs to make-up a story about how somebody else broke the plate, Junior knows that means lying and is reluctant at first, but Fib insists that what he's talking about is just a little fib, and that people "do it all the time," and "a little fib couldn't hurt anybody."

Sure enough, Dad Asparagus enters the door, and he greets Junior. And as Fib predicted, he notices the broken plate and wonders what happens, and Junior, nervously lies the blame on Laura saying she was demonstrating an apple chopper, and that it chopped through his bowling plate, and did I mention, this all done in song. And for some odd reason, Dad Asparagus believes the story, I think it's because he always trusts his son. What a moron. And he decides to call Laura's dad about the crisis. And then, Junior's new friend pops up, a little bigger than before, but not all that much, he's just the same size as Junior, Junior wonders what would happen to Junior, and the Fib assures him that she'll be fine. And Junior decides then and there that maybe the Fib is right and he doesn't have to worry anymore. Anyway, Junior and Fib leave the house and go have some more fun.

Meanwhile, in downtown Bumblyburg, Alfred calls Larry-Boy via transmission, and wonders if Larry-Boy has found the fib yet, but Larry-Boy hasn't. As he explains what he did find, we come across cameos of the Scallions, the Peach, the Blue Wind-Up Lobster, and Frankencelery. According to the commentary, Phil Vischer said that they didn't have any resources to do a lot of crowds in the episode, which was something they did in Larry-Boy and the Rumor Weed, they talked a lot about "how many people can we put in a scene now? Can we do a lot more?" Because they went back and watched this and actually, they learned a lot by making this, because it was the most ambitious film they've done. And, they tried a lot of things. Back on track, Larry-Boy drives by Junior and the Fib and Percy comes into the picture.

Percy had heard the news that Laura has gotten in trouble for breaking her dad's bowling plate, but he finds it quite skeptical. Junior agrees with Percy that Laura didn't break the plate, and changes his mind to Lenny, her brother. In song, Junior states that Lenny is very naughty in hating Art Bigotti, and that he gave it to a crocodile to eat it all up. Percy is amazed by Junior's story and he had no idea he had a crocodile. And he wanders off.

Once Percy leaves, the Fib has grown human sized, with Tim Gregory's voice pitched to his natural voice. And about this picture, I think the whatsoever critic is overreacting, it's just a close-up picture. Sure is uncomfortable if you've never seen the episode before but, it was just a brief moment. Anyways, Junior points out that Fib has grown legs and a bit of blue acne on his nose. The Fib compliments to Junior on his lies and that he's got the "gift." Lying is no gift, it's a curse. He's just got what it takes, and Junior continues with following the Fib mostly because he's stupid.

So anyways, Larry-Boy drives by again, but only this time, he's starting to give up on searching, Alfred already agreed to the Science Lab's conclusions that something from outer space landed in Bumblyburg, but Larry-Boy isn't gonna take that anymore, even going so far as to shutting up Alfred by turning off transmission and saying to the camera, "There are no space aliens in Bumblyburg." You see, that's irony.

By sunset, around 5:00 p.m. maybe, Junior is confronted by Laura, Lenny, and Percy on the past two lies and the Fib hides behind the alley, saying "If you need me I'll be over here." Sheesh, all this fuss over a plate, what's next, overreacting to a broken pencil. Oh, wait. (thinking of "Professor Proofed") Anyway, Junior calms his friends down and insists that Laura and Lenny didn't break the plate, and that it was space aliens that came down and grabbed cows and switched brains with the cows, and the cows with the brains of the space aliens broke the plate! He says angrily. You see how far fetched and over the top and ridiculous that lie is?

Obviously, they were not fooled. Considering Percy saw the same thing happen in a movie, "Invasion of the Cow Snatchers." As Percy complains about that lie, giant footsteps shake downtown Bumblyburg, until it is revealed to be.......

A big fat ugly giant 50-feet tall Fib from outer space! or, mutated by radiation! Or, from the depths of the ocean! Or, flushed down the toilet! Yes, that is a Homestar Runner reference by the way. The Fib grabs Junior and goes on a rampage in downtown Bumblyburg.

Officer Scooter drives by and sees the Fib first hand and calls Police Headquarters to call Larry-Boy for help before he gets out and the Fib steps on his car. And he cries out "OH, the inhumanity! Larry-Boy! Where could he be?!" Truly, an over the top performance by Jim Poole.

Meanwhile, Larry and Alfred are playing a game of Candy Land while Larry has been stuck in the Molases Swamp for the past 38 turns they've been playing. And Alfred is playing pretty good, since he gets to go all the way to Princess Lolly. As Larry gives up on his game, he looks outside hoping the rest of Bumblyburg is having a better day than he is. Unfortunately, for Larry, it wasn't good for Bumblyburg, and he and Alfred knew there was trouble. The episode was right with irony. And Larry decides, "Alfred, I've got work to do, consider our game, postponed!" It was so much fun for Phil Vischer to write for Larry with that much drama in his voice to say something like that. Mike Nawrocki stated in the commentary that they've gotten letters about Larry saying that sort of thing. Moving on.

Meanwhile, back downtown, Junior, now feeling betrayed wants to know why the Fib is doing this to him. The Fib states to Junior that that's the thing about fibs, they grow, and now that he's big, it's HIS turn to call the shots. "And you belong to ME!" This scared a few kids, can I go on record admitting that? Oh wait, Phil Vischer already said that.

"NOT SO FAST, MONSTER!" Here comes Larry-Boy to save the night! Percy hopefully says that if anyone can stop that Fib, Larry-Boy can. We'll just see about that. Larry-Boy demands the Fib to drop Junior, but the Fib just says "Why won't you come and make me, little purple man?" offending Larry-Boy. And the Fib decides to do the logical thing any giant monster would. Head for the Bumblyburg Water Tower!

As he heads for the water tower, Larry-Boy tells Alfred about what's going on, and they need to find a way to stop the Fib and save Junior. Alfred then gets his computer working on it right away. The problem is that the road is blocked and Larry-Boy wonders if he can go on foot. Alfred has another idea. He made a few modifications to the Larry-Mobile that might do the trick! Complete with the red button, the yellow button, the green button, and the blue button. Unfortunately, Alfred didn't have time to label them. You see? That is a source of potential energy, an inventor who forgets to label his buttons. And no, that's not an innuendo.

The Fib looks up at the water tower and menacingly says "Let's see if your little poyple friend can help you up here!" and laughs evilly.

Back at the Larry-Mobile, the three kids wonder what's keeping him. And Laura thinks that maybe he fell asleep, and Percy suggests that somebody should go wake him up, but it's too late because the Larry-Mobile started to go very, very fast! And we're off to the races. Don't try to figure out how long this road is, because it's only four blocks. Alfred suggests Larry-Boy tries the blue button, but all it does is activate the wipers, then he demands the green button, which just makes the car horn goes off, which results in Laura saying "He's honking." and Percy declaring "It's part of the plan."

Getting closer to the water tower, things go out of control and Larry-Boy shouts "I AM GOING TO DIE!" and Alfred yells back "Stop yelling at me! No yelling, yell, yell..........YELLOW!" Which results in Larry-Boy finally pressing the yellow button and what follows is the coolest animation bit ever.. Here are the screencaps.

"Well in the name of Fergus McDonaldson!" said Scooter. Truly, the Larry-Plane blasting off into the sky is so visually cool!

Everything's now cool and collected into the sky as Alfred talks about going through biochemistry, nuclear medicine, this and that. He checks his computer and reads that they know what the monster is now. It's a lie. Which results into Larry-Boy and Alfred doing a clever take on the Abbott and Costello routine of "Who's on First?" which ends with Larry-Boy saying "Oh my! Well, how do I stop it?" But Alfred unfortunately, they don't know the answer yet.

Meanwhile, at the Water Tower, a crowd gathered around and look on at terror at the Fib at the top of the Water Tower. several background characters include from left to right, Bob the Tomato, Mr. Nezzer, Frankencelery, The Scallions, the Grape Family (including Pa Grape), The Peach, Jimmy and Jerry Gourd, and Scooter, complete with the music, a men's choir and the bells of doom!

Dad Asparagus and Mom Asparagus arrive at the scene of the crime and Scooter warns them that it's not a pretty sight. And Junior's Dad sees his son, the Damsel in Distress, crying for help, resulting in him fainting. Big Idea got a lot of letters on that happening, because it wasn't a good role modeling of fathers to have him faint. Back up in the sky, Larry-Boy wonders if Alfred has any weapons for him, And although Alfred has all sorts of wonderful ideas, he didn't have time to make them, because he spent to much time on nuclear medicine. And Larry-Boy finally decides what he should've done in the first place, FLY! "Super-suction ears AWAY!"

The Larry-Plane flies around the Fib and Junior which I guess is suppose to be a take on a helicopter flying around him like a King Kong reference, and then The Fib sees Larry-Boy flies in kamikazi mode, the Fib is ready for him! He grabs him with his clutches and he squeezes one of his ears off! That was pretty bizarre, and it lands on the ground, which causes Dad Asparagus to faint again, which means it was even funnier the second time. Larry-Boy thinks now is a good time to figure out how to stop the Fib, and according to Alfred's calculations, Larry-Boy can do.........nothing. Nothing? Yes nothing. Why didn't he tell Larry-Boy that in the first place, because his calculations were not yet finished.

With Larry-Boy devastated that he can't do anything to stop him, he hears the Fib tell Junior that even a little lie can get really big really FAST! And a big lie can just swallow you up, and that Junior has made a REALLY BIG LIE! As the Fib laughs evilly, Alfred calls Larry-Boy once again with more information.

It turns out, according to Alfred's computer, Larry can't stop the lie, but someone else can. Larry-Boy is amazed by this news and wants to know who. Alfred doesn't know yet, but the computer's working on it right now!

Meanwhile, as Alfred's computer doing all the work, the Fib is about ready to choose which one of the two Junior or Larry-Boy should he eat first! Larry-Boy is worried that they have no time! The monster then decides to eat Larry-Boy because from the looks of his outfit, he sort of looks like candy, despite the fact that it's spandex and it's quite bitter. That's pretty funny.

Alfred's getting a reading! As the computer scans who can stop the Fib, his over-the-top panic goes so far that his chair accidentally unplugs the computer, causing him to scream! I don't think he understands the purpose of screaming. You scream when you're in trouble, you're not the damsel from the Dover Boys cartoon. Yes, that was a Doug Walker reference, sorry mom. But anyways, Alfred plugs back in his computer which results in a rather funny shot hear.

Look at that. the happy mac! Oh the computer humor!

The big reveal!

As Larry-Boy says "Good-bye, Bumblyburg!" Junior overhears from Alfred over Larry-Boy's belt that only he can stop the lie! If you look, Larry-Boy is just being chewed on, and if you look, the monster has no teeth. There's no damage being done.

Having no choice, Junior FINALLY says that HE broke the plate! Which causes the Fib to spit out Larry-Boy. The more Junior tells the truth, the more smaller the Fib gets until he's finally gone to another dimension. With Junior free from his curse, Larry-Boy decides to help Junior get back on the ground.

Back on the ground, Junior apologizes to his Dad about what happened. And his dad assures him that he's sure it was just an accident and that Junior's more important than any old bowling plate. And here's the best part, the twist is that what he's been through today with being captured by the Fib was punishment enough. What a twist! (insert Robot Chicken joke here) And Junior's dad decides that from now on, they should get the true story the first time, and they get a group hug. Scooter finds this beautiful and decides to thank Larry-Boy for all the hard work, but he's already disappeared back tot he Larry-Cave, resulting him saying "Hop! There he goes again." And everyone just goes home. The end.

But first, let's look at the verse and the music video.

Now, let's talk about the music video, "The Larry-Boy Theme Song."

The music video was written by David Mullen and Phil Vischer, which they would later go on to write a few songs for Jonah like "Second Chances" and "Jonah Was a Prophet" and this song was performed by Christian pop singer, Nicole C. Mullen, who is also David Mullen's wife. The music video was great! The visuals are great, the music is great, and even the lyrics are great. The music had a good mix between rock and roll and big band, especially with a saxophone solo. and not to mention, Larry the Cucumber's JJ Walker costume. "DYNOMITE!"

So, bottom line, this is a terrific episode! A perfect episode to come out around the time when Big Idea Productions company started to grow, because it has concept artists like Joseph Sapulich, Daniel Lopez Munoz, and Aaron Hartline. And even a few new animators like Cara Bukovski, Joe McFadden, Lena Spoke, Nathan Tungseth, and Jon Gadsby.

The episode is full of action, adventure, comedy, and danger! I highly recommend you check the episode for yourself if you haven't seen it already.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVxZ9S920TI

Or if you want to see the televised version with a few stuff cut out, click here.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5lnj85