Ross Bagdasarian, the creator of the 1960's original animated TV series The Alvin Show, was the beginning of the tiny voiced characters Alvin and the Chipmunks. Since then the series has spawned a TV series until the 1990's, and numerous musical albums and since 2007 a series of now four live actions/CGI films. The latest adventure was written by Randi Mayem Singer and Adam Sztykiel and directed by Walt Becker (Old Dogs, Wild Hogs). It follows the 2011 Chipwrecked using the same voice actors. It's an expected kind of family values movie, lending the idea that families are families no matter who the kids and the parents are, as long as they are together. In this world of people with political correctness phobias, it's a less than subtle reminders that one should practice what they preach.
The mischievous Alvin (voiced by Justin Long) and his furry brothers Simon the brain (Matthew Gray Gubler) and cute innocent Theodore (Jesse McCartney) have quit touring as a musical act while their foster dad Dave (Jason Lee) peruses his writing and producing music. Their companion group, the Chippettes (Christina Applegate, Anna Faris and Kaley Cuoco) are still touring and recording. The boys are feeling at odds with Dave being so busy lately. So Dave takes them out to miniature golf where they meet the rude and mean Miles (Josh Green). It's no surprise that Miles just happens to be the son of Dave's new girlfriend Samantha (Kimberly Williams-Paisley). Dave tells the boys that Samantha may be the one. They even see a ring that Dave locks in his safe. Dave has to travel to Miami for the album debut of singer Ashley (Bella Thorne's). Miles is to stay with the chipmunks while his mom is with Dave for the weekend. Believing that Dave is going to propose to Samantha, the boys decide to work together in order to stop the engagement as they don't like each other and don't want to be family.
As with all Chipmunks movies, plans go awry. They manage to sneak aboard a plane in Miles' luggage, then after mayhem happens, they are kicked off in Austin, TX while earning the ire of the Sky Marshall played for all his worth by Tony Hale. The Marshall chases them from Austin, to New Orleans, then to Miami as the four bond through their adventures. We learn why Miles has some issues with abandonment and had made the Chipmunks feel insecure by suggesting that Dave will leave them if he gets together with his mom. Through it all, there are musical numbers, and slapstick chaos that will highly amuse most of the kids and parents alike, if you are into that sort of potty humor and so five minute ago pop culture references. It's a rentable kind of movie, but with the holiday's it will get you and the kids out of the house if there's nothing else to do.
(Review by reesa)
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