Young viewers will enjoy the slapstick, while parents will relate to Lee's amiable frustration as the trio's surrogate dad.
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
I was also grateful that Alvin wears a red sweater with a big 'A' on it as an aid to identification, since otherwise all the chipmunks seem to be identical, like Mutant Turtles or Spice Girls.
The script leans heavily on the pranks and big-eyed cuteness of the li'l guys and leaves the live actors with unfunny dialogue and nothing to do.
Will true love prevail? Will Dave grow a backbone (and some real songwriting talent)? And most important, will Alvin, Simon, and Theodore survive this bland new form of chipmunk mania? They shoot rodents, don't they?
Whatever residual affection you may harbor for the Chipmunks will vanish completely if you fork over good money to see this cheaply made and aggravatingly stupid movie.
I went into this movie with expectations that couldn't get much lower, but came out a fan of Alvin, Simon, and Theodore... and Dave, for making us care about them as much as he does.
That it is harmless entertainment for the youngsters is fine, but don't confuse this with quality entertainment.
By the end of the movie, even the Chipmunks' youngest fans will find themselves wishing that Alvin and the boys would get back to where they once belonged: a tree.
By far the funniest thing about this painful, if not quite insufferable, family comedy from Fox is its bold stance against merchandising and tie-in marketing.
Kids at the preview screening ate it up but everyone else will probably be shouting 'ALVIN!!! SHUT THE F*** UP!'"
I guess we should count it a Christmas miracle that the film is merely bad, rather than apocalyptically bad.
Tiny furry nut-gathering mammals trying to cheer you up via song turns out to be surprisingly merry.
It's telling when the biggest reaction from kids isn't from those high-pitched voices or the various goofy shenanigans, but instead comes from the sing-along theme song for Spongebob.
It is hard to hate cute little talking chipmunks who love waffles, so maybe you can say I was annoyed.
" ...even if Alvin and the Chipmunks has one hand reaching for your wallet, at the very least its heart seems to be in the right place."
The original recordings of Alvin were among the lowest moments in the history of popular culture. This soulless rehash, with its fart and poop jokes, proves that even one-note wonders can be diminished.
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