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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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81 - 100 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6 >> >|
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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.

Full Review Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune | comment Comment
12/13/07
Colin Covert
Colin Covert
Minneapolis Star Tribune

Sure, the jokes are obvious, the plot's a little corny -- but c'mon, it's a movie about talking chipmunks.

Full Review Source: E! Online | comment Comment
12/13/07
Dezhda Gaubert
Dezhda Gaubert
E! Online

There is one surprise -- it's not as eye-gougingly awful as you might expect. It's simply mediocre and immediately forgettable.

Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City | comment 1 Comment
12/13/07
Jeff Vice
Jeff Vice
Deseret News, Salt Lake City

It's all about good, clean fun, both for kids absorbed in the cuddly creatures (especially when they sing) and for their parents, unexpectedly hooked by the nostalgia they evoke.

Full Review Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | comment Comment
12/13/07
Sue Pierman
Sue Pierman
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

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

The sight of enhanced Alvin and the Chipmunks in the movie of the same name is far less squirm-inducing than one might have feared.

Full Review Source: Newsday | comment Comment
12/13/07
Gene Seymour
Gene Seymour
Newsday

It becomes a little difficult to distinguish exploitive "Uncle Ian" from the folks trying very hard to keep this fragile idea alive and making money. The big difference is that Uncle Ian wears out the Chipmunks and this movie wears out its welcome.

Full Review Source: Beliefnet | comment Comment
12/13/07
Nell Minow
Nell Minow
Beliefnet

What happened to Alvin, the rodent counterpart of Dennis the Menace? Was he declawed in the translation to CGI?

Full Review Source: Philadelphia Inquirer | comment Comment
12/13/07
Carrie Rickey
Carrie Rickey
Philadelphia Inquirer

The characters are underwhelming in their appeal, lacking the charm of their previous animated incarnations.

Full Review Source: Hollywood Reporter | comment Comment
12/13/07
Frank Scheck
Frank Scheck
Hollywood Reporter
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A harmless and frequently humorous trifle.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
12/13/07
Joe Leydon
Joe Leydon
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Children may laugh at the broad humor, but what's lurking underneath the comedy is dark and disheartening.

Full Review Source: DustinPutman.com | comment Comment
12/13/07
Dustin Putman
Dustin Putman
DustinPutman.com

The movie manages to charm us, solely because of the inherent cuteness of its CGI stars, the famous singing chipmunks.

Full Review Source: Internet Reviews | comment Comment
12/13/07
Steve Rhodes
Steve Rhodes
Internet Reviews

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

The little beasties in the new film are computer-generated, reasonably realistic (way ahead of Garfield) and cute. It's not their fault the humans, especially Jason Lee's Dave Seville, are excruciatingly boring.

Full Review Source: Charlotte Observer | comment Comment
12/13/07
Lawrence Toppman
Lawrence Toppman
Charlotte Observer

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.

Full Review Source: Metromix.com | comment 1 Comment
12/13/07
Matt Pais
Matt Pais
Metromix.com

CGI critters are silly -- but very kid-friendly.

Full Review Source: Common Sense Media | comment Comment
12/13/07
Sandie Angulo Chen
Sandie Angulo Chen
Common Sense Media

Thanks to Alvin and the Chipmunks, the Fab Fur make a comeback any pre-K kid would love.

Full Review Source: Orlando Sentinel | comment Comment
12/13/07
Roger Moore
Roger Moore
Orlando Sentinel

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.

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
12/13/07
Andrea Gronvall
Andrea Gronvall
Chicago Reader

What we get instead is Alvin, Simon and Theodore lovingly rendered huggably fuzzy in CG, which apparently sapped all the movie’s budget so that such things as continuity and art direction have gone out the window.

Full Review Source: L.A. Weekly | comment Comment
12/13/07
Luke Y. Thompson
Luke Y. Thompson
L.A. Weekly

Should be sent to the same movie pound as the recent Garfield pictures.

Full Review Source: Sun Publications (Chicago, IL) | comment Comment
12/13/07
Josh Larsen
Josh Larsen
Sun Publications (Chicago, IL)
 
 
81 - 100 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6 >> >|
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