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Movies / On DVD / Alvin and the Chipmunks
Alvin and the Chipmunks

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Alvin and the Chipmunks (2007)

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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.

Rated: U [See Full Rating] for some mild rude humor.

Runtime: 1 hr 32 mins

Genre: Childrens

Theatrical Release:21-12-2007

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

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Reviews for Alvin and the Chipmunks

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1 - 20 (sorted by fresh rating; UK critics are listed first)
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While sure to secretly entertain the child in all us adults, here’s a flick absolutely guaranteed to entrance the under-10s.

Full Review Source: Daily Mirror [UK] | comment Comment
12/21/07
Daily Mirror [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Kids will be nuts about this chipmunk movie.

Full Review Source: Sun Online | comment Comment
12/21/07
Sun Online
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

An endearing effort that will appeal to under-10s with its slight tale of the three all-talking, all-singing rodents.

Full Review Source: Financial Times | comment 1 Comment
12/21/07
Karl French
Karl French
Financial Times

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.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
12/20/07
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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’.

Full Review Source: Total Film | comment Comment
12/21/07
Total Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Fun musical numbers and cartoonish humour give way to a bland sermon about the evils of the music industry.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
12/20/07
Anna Smith
Anna Smith
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

It's one of those movies where the wretched actors have to pretend to know what's going on as the CG effects take place beside and around them. They do their best. But it's Alvin and co that toddlers will appreciate.

Full Review Source: This is London | comment Comment
12/21/07
Derek Malcolm
Derek Malcolm
This is London

It’s the kind of family entertainment that makes you reach for the shotgun.

Full Review Source: Times [UK] | comment Comment
12/21/07
James Christopher
James Christopher
Times [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

With such a thin plot, the CGI here is adequate yet underwhelming, and the same can be said for the gags

Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
12/18/07
Laura Bushell
Laura Bushell
BBC
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The acting is fine and the Chipmunks are cute but the script is poorly developed and there are very few actual laughs.

Full Review Source: ViewLondon | comment Comment
12/20/07
Matthew Turner
Matthew Turner
ViewLondon

Is it for kids? Adults? Marsupials? Martians? Who can tell. Jason Lee from My Name Is Earl stars - if that is the word - in this thoroughly brain-dead semi-animated family comedy.

Full Review Source: Guardian [UK] | comment Comment
12/21/07
Peter Bradshaw
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

At least this film, based on classic characters, is bright and energetic, because it's otherwise condescending, corny and utterly unfunny.

Full Review Source: Shadows on the Wall | comment Comment
12/12/07
Rich Cline
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall

If the idea of three squeaky-voiced squirrels as pop gods makes you shudder, Alvin And The Chipmunks won't make you change your mind - but there's enough spritely mischief in this flawed family comedy to provide some light-hearted fun.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
12/21/07
Saxon Bullock
Saxon Bullock
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Nippers will love it (it did incredible opening weekend business in the States) but adults may find themselves idly dreaming of gin traps.

Full Review Source: Sky Movies | comment Comment
12/21/07
Tim Evans
Tim Evans
Sky Movies

Pure hell.

Full Review Source: Daily Telegraph | comment Comment
12/21/07
Tim Robey
Tim Robey
Daily Telegraph
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Screen International | comment Comment
10/18/08
Screen International
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

At times funny, and even occasionally witty, Alvin and the Chipmunks is a lively, entertaining romp that will certainly bring smiles to the young ones this holiday season.

Full Review Source: Premiere Magazine | comment Comment
12/13/07
Andrew Grant
Andrew Grant
Premiere Magazine

It's a fine-enough kids movie. Cute. Nice lesson. And better than you'd think.

Full Review Source: Arizona Republic | comment Comment
12/13/07
Bill Goodykoontz
Bill Goodykoontz
Arizona Republic

Could've been a lot worse; it's a singing chipmunk movie, for Pete's sake.

Full Review Source: Los Angeles Daily News | comment Comment
12/14/07
Bob Strauss
Bob Strauss
Los Angeles Daily News

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.

Full Review Source: TheMovieChicks.com | comment Comment
12/14/07
Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone
Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone
TheMovieChicks.com
 
 
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