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Alvin and the Chipmunks (2007)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:98
Fresh:26
Rotten:72
Average Rating:4.4/10
Consensus: Though cutely rendered, Alvin and the Chipmunks suffers from bland potty humor and a rehashed kids' movie formula.
Australian Theatrical Release:
Jan 3, 2008 Wide
US Box Office: $217,172,612
Synopsis: This live-action/computer-animated update of Ross Bagdasarian's squeaky-voiced cartoon characters finds the chipmunks (in CGI form) transported from their woodland habitat to the city, where they... This live-action/computer-animated update of Ross Bagdasarian's squeaky-voiced cartoon characters finds the chipmunks (in CGI form) transported from their woodland habitat to the city, where they wind up in the home of Dave Seville (Jason Lee). Dave, a down-on-his-luck songwriter, realizes the potential of a singing chipmunk pop act, and becomes an unlikely mentor/father figure to feisty Alvin, brainy Simon, and dopey Theodore. Meanwhile, the threesome causes chaos in his life, leading to plenty of fun, frenetic scenarios. When a devious record executive (David Cross) enters the picture, however, Alvin and the Chipmunks must deal with both the trappings of fame and their loyalty to the amiable, hapless Dave. Directed by Tim Hill (GARFIELD: A TALE OF TWO KITTIES), ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS simultaneously modernizes and pays tribute to the classic title characters, who first appeared in the late 1950s and became wildly popular in the '60s. While Lee (MY NAME IS EARL) is well cast as the perpetually exasperated Dave, Long (LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD) steals the show as the voice of Alvin, who provides the group's lively spirit. Though some older viewers may wince at the prospect of their beloved Chipmunks rapping, the movie is generally respectful of the franchise's long legacy, and will easily win over a younger generation. [More]
Starring: Jason Lee, David Cross, Cameron Richardson, Jane Lynch
Starring: Jason Lee, David Cross, Cameron Richardson, Jane Lynch, Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler, Jesse McCartney
Director: Tim Hill
Director: Tim Hill
Screenwriter: Jon Vitti, Will McRobb, Chris Viscardi
Story: Jon Vitti
Producer: Ross Bagdasarian, Janice Karman
Composer: Christopher Lennertz
Studio: Fox 2000 Pictures
Reviews for Alvin and the Chipmunks
Filled with cheap slapstick, annoying high-pitched singing, and a variety of fart gags, all of which amused my daughter but not me.
Oh, come on. Do you really care? And even if you do, you shouldn't.
It's as if the capitalistic ventures of entertainment and the development of new technology have joined forces to ruin my childhood memories.
Hollywood continues its tired milking of old television properties with Alvin and the Chipmunks, a slick updating of the musical-cartoon franchise.
When Dave achieves such relative maturity, Claire likes him again, ensuring that you know he's appropriately heterosexual. What she thinks of mothering little furry creatures doesn't come up.
There is one surprise -- it's not as eye-gougingly awful as you might expect. It's simply mediocre and immediately forgettable.
Alvin And The Chipmunks moves, little children love it and it's not too painful for adults. All in all, an okay little hit of helium.
An endearing effort that will appeal to under-10s with its slight tale of the three all-talking, all-singing rodents.
Thank goodness Alvin and the gang are back so they can fart in Dave's face, say things like ''Sup playa?' and sing 'Don't Cha' in the shower.
It is hard to hate cute little talking chipmunks who love waffles, so maybe you can say I was annoyed.
The musical numbers are initially appealing – think close harmonies and smart foot stepping to the likes of ‘Funkytown’ – but the novelty is likely to wear thin for adults when the ’munks get kitted out as a street boy band.
Trite family values, mediocre CGI and a shallow anti-exploitation message do little to fill the fun-gap. Still, hard to deny the buck-toothed buggers their one moment of glory: an a cappella take on ‘Funkytown’.
While sure to secretly entertain the child in all us adults, here’s a flick absolutely guaranteed to entrance the under-10s.
Alvin, Theodore, and Simon have the only good lines or recognizable emotions, with Jason Lee and David Cross straining to flesh out their cardboard roles.
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