"Alvin and the Chipmunks"

**jennyk** · 12-20-2007, 11:02 AM

My review of Alvin and the Chipmunks is online.

Seeing the movie was a pleasant surprise - I was really expecting it to be awful. In fact, the only reason I saw it instead of "I Am Legend" to review this week is because Waterloo native (and fellow DeKalb High School grad) Tyler Fox worked on the animation for the movie. (An article about Fox can be found here.) His name was in the credits, which was incredibly cool. But, the movie was also entertaining and cute. I think it would be especially good for families with children - I think the kids would like the cute talking chipmunks and the adults would like the homage to the original songs, cartoon show, etc. It was an enjoyable experience.

Has anyone else seen the movie? What did you think? Do you like the original "Alvin and the Chipmunks" songs, cartoons, etc.?

(Also, for all of you Steuben County people, the Herald-Republican is running my movie reviews on Thursdays on the Life page beginning this week. The reviews can also be found on Thursdays on the Life page of the Evening Star, as well as online, obviously.)

**hideaway70** · 12-20-2007, 11:31 AM

I was actually not going to even give it a chance after the horrible movies that have been made based on cartoons recently (Underdog,Scooby Doo etc.), but I am thinking about giving it a shot based on this. I'm sure that, worst case, my four-year-old will like it.

**jennyk** · 12-20-2007, 04:24 PM

Originally Posted by hideaway70

I was actually not going to even give it a chance after the horrible movies that have been made based on cartoons recently (Underdog,Scooby Doo etc.), but I am thinking about giving it a shot based on this. I'm sure that, worst case, my four-year-old will like it.

I've avoided live action/cartoon movies like the plague, so I can't really compare it to Garfield, Scooby Doo, Underdog, et. al. However, I will say that the animation was better than Garfield or Scooby Doo (from what I could tell from their previews), and I'm glad they didn't use real chipmunks like they did in Underdog. (The animals with CGI mouths is WEIRD!)

I'm sure any four-year-old would enjoy it, but I really think that adults would like it, too. It's not perfect, but it's got a decent plot and some really great jokes. And, the main bad guy, record producer Ian, tends to steal his scenes. I wouldn't expect anything Oscar-caliber, but it was fun.

**hideaway70** · 12-21-2007, 07:00 AM

Seeing in your review that David Cross is the villian makes me want to see it for myself now. I think he's quite funny, especially when he isn't just trying to be Mr. Outrageous.

It also helps that this movie is something besides Thomas the Tank Engine...

**LuciusBeebe** · 12-21-2007, 07:37 AM

Agreed, David Cross is dee best. Ever since Mr. Show I can't ignore him.

**hideaway70** · 12-21-2007, 07:51 AM

I loved his "Slow Donnie" character on Just Shoot Me. He is very good as a scumbag.

**james_t** · 01-06-2008, 09:37 PM

We took the boys to see this at the matinee showing in Kendallville. The theater was packed - I guess everyone came out for the $3 seats.

My wife and I definitely would agree with the "better than we thought going in" statement, though she (the owner of several Chipmunks casettes) in particular was not too impressed with Jason Lee's Dave Seville. He definitely seemed to be underplaying the role.

The kids all gave it two thumbs up. This may be a shock to you, but apparently a movie that prominently features chipmunk gas, pellet eating and slapstick comedy in general has great appeal for 10-ish-year-old boys.

**jennyk** · 01-07-2008, 08:44 AM

Originally Posted by james_t

The kids all gave it two thumbs up. This may be a shock to you, but apparently a movie that prominently features chipmunk gas, pellet eating and slapstick comedy in general has great appeal for 10-ish-year-old boys.

I have been accused of having a sense of humor similar to a 10-year-old boy, so perhaps that is part of the reason why I enjoyed "Alvin and the Chipmunks."

**Night Fire** · 01-07-2008, 08:52 AM

Originally Posted by jennyk

I have been accused of having a sense of humor similar to a 10-year-old boy, so perhaps that is part of the reason why I enjoyed "Alvin and the Chipmunks."

Personally i felt that the movies comedy style was more adult than many of the years top contenders ie: Knocked up

**matt_s** · 01-12-2008, 01:18 PM

I took the 4yr old to see it today. It was fun. A little short, but a good time was had by all. I'm pretty sure my son is going to ask me to find the soundtrack from it for him.

I liked the redub of "Witchdoctor".

It was a good mix of slapstick for the kid and throwbacks for the adults.