So Alvin and the chipmunks return with the squeakquel. So here’s the premise. The chipmunks are getting a little unruly, which lands Dave in hospital, and so he sends them off to high school. Enter Dave’s cousin or some such relation Toby (Played by “Chuck” Star Zachary Levi). At the same time as this is all happening, naughty old Ian (The Chipmunks old and somewhat dastardly manager) discovers a female version of them and begins to exploit them in the same way he exploited chipmunks.
Generally these days when the studios make kids films they layer them so that it’s not a completely painful experience for the parents. So bearing this in mind, the second outing for Alvin and the chipmunks can best be described as barely bearable for the adults. Whereas I quite enjoyed the first one, I found the squeakquel to be extremely repetitive and highly formulaic.
However the only thing that stood this film apart from its predecessor is the addition of the chipettes. Brittany, Eleanor and Jeanette are female versions of the chipmunks. Of course they are exact female copies of each of the Chipmunks right down to ego and personality. Nothing very creative or even all that endearing in an animal personification kind of way.
On the plus side my 8 year old daughter loved it and described it as funny! Now I will admit there were some funny moments, such normally revolved around farts and pranks. So it was kind of like a jackass for kids in so many ways!
Mixed in with that is a strong message about cliques and bullying in school, which at a stretch could be used as a starter for such conversations with your kids and therefore an opportunity for some positive life lessons. I guess deep down there are also good moral thoughts in there about the family/friend group being more important than the individual. Hmm maybe I did get something out of this movie?
Overall I would suggest that you let the kids see it while you grab a coffee…
Reviewed by: Jon E Clist
Releases: 24th December 2009
Rating: G
Running time: 88 minutes
Genre: Comedy
Starring: Anna Faris, Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler, David Cross, Christina Applegate & Zachary Levi.
Director: Betty Thomas
