“Alvin and the Chipmunks” (20th Century Fox)
The Chipmunks Have Charm
When you hear Hollywood has made a movie about “Alvin and the Chipmunks” your first impression is to run for cover. How cute and how sticky sweet could a movie like that be Well the answer is not too much. The film is sweet and cuddly and all that you expect, but it is also charming and unpretentious which is a shock. The animated Chipmunks are fun to watch and keep the movie on a totally entertaining keel. Kids are going to love this movie, big time!
The story is very simple. Three talking/singing chipmunks live in a pine tree. It is chopped down for use as a Christmas tree forcing the chipmunks to find a new place to live. They spy a man carrying a basket of cookies and they hop in. When they get to his home they decide to live there. The man, Dave Seville (Jason Lee), at first says no but later changes his mind.
Dave is a songwriter so when the chipmunks sing along in perfect harmony he knows a good thing has arrived. He gets them signed with a recording studio run by his friend Ian (David Cross) and soon they are a major hit in the music world. This brings about some complications but the movie ends up happily.
Jason Lee is badly miscast as Dave. He is the weak point of the film. He just doesn’t have the warmth or the likeableness required of his character. He may be perfect for “My Name Is Earl” but not so for “my name is Dave.”
The animated chipmunks are adorable in every way and quickly establish their unique personalities. The big question is since the chipmunks speak in high-pitched squeaks why was it necessary to use name actors such as Justin Long, Jesse McCartney and Matthew Gray Gubler for their voices
The film is rated PG for some mildly adult humor but all members of the family can enjoy the film.
Don’t pre-judge this film based on its title alone. Give it a chance and you and your kids will be greatly entertained. These chipmunks could warm the coldest heart and charm the socks off anyone. They can sing, they can dance, they can make jokes; and they do it all naturally.
Pack up the family and go to see this one. It will certainly brighten up your holiday spirit. You will find yourself singing along when those chipmunks start rocking out on their “Christmas Song.”
I scored “Alvin and the Chipmunks” a squeaky 6 out of 10.
