Campus Connection

Media Credit: www.babble.com

The children’s classic cartoon Alvin and the Chipmunks was brought to the big screen in 2007 and recently released to video. The movie modernizes the classic characters best known from the early 1980’s TV series. The three chipmunks, Alvin, Simon, and Theodore, are computer-generated in a live action film rather than appearing as animated characters in a cartoon.

In the movie, the chipmunks’ tree is chopped down and put on display as a Christmas tree in the lobby of a recording company where they encounter Dave Seville (Jason Lee), a songwriter down on his luck. The trio of singing chipmunks skyrockets their way to stardom, singing Dave’s songs. A devious record executive tries to separate the ‘munks from Dave for his own financial gain, but all is resolved in the end. The chipmunks return home with Dave, and Dave gets the girl.

This movie turned out to be a great family film, and  despite little furor at the box office, an instant classic. Most of the chipmunk’s song performances are classics from the original series, and therefore bound to remind adults of their own childhood. These tunes are just as catchy as ever, and are sure to entertain a new generation of children.

Lee is lovable as the down-on-his-luck sucker of the story, though it is an unusual role for him. Theodore is voiced by teen heartthrob Jesse McCartney.

The movie is filled with humorous prat falls and harmless butt jokes. There are a few laugh-out-loud moments in the film, most notably the chipmunks’ clever reinterpretations of Dave’s presentation figures. There’s also a split-second scene with a “raisin” that takes toilet humor to a new level.

The chipmunks are downright cute, and there are many adorable moments during the course of the film.  For example, in the scene when Theodore has a nightmare and wants to sleep with Dave, there was an audible “awww” in the room. The movie is a feel-good fun time for families.

Audiences should expect the common shortcomings of all family films: simplicity and predictability. The film is a must-see for families with children under the age of twelve, and for any adult who enjoys great children’s classics.

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