Families come in many different shapes and sizes, but few humans consider rodents members of the family. Dave Seville (Jason Lee) is no exception, so when this flailing musician finds three young talking chipmunks gorging themselves in his kitchen cupboards, Dave is quick to question his sanity and then toss the offending chipmunks outside into the rain and restore order. When Dave hears the chipmunks singing outside his window, he realizes that that unusual trio might just be t Read more…
April 14th, 2010 on 10:15 pm
This review is from: Alvin and the Chipmunks (DVD)
This film teaches important lessons to children in a gentle and very entertaining way. Lesson One: Discipline is important to children. Lesson Two: Anything in excess, even fun, can ruin your life. Lesson Three: The entertainment industry, although glamorous, can be harmful. Stable family life is more important. And dads are important role models for young sons. Alvin and his companions Simon and Theodore learn these lessons from their surrogate father Dave and from the hard knocks they endure as they leave Dave and rise to recording stardom. Seldom have I seen such an entertaining film spell out such excellent values for young children. In terms of pure fun, the chipmunks are believable and so precious they can make you cry. Jason Lee is outstanding as the caring “dad”, Dave. The music is wonderful: great remixes of “Witch Doctor” and the Chipmunks Christmas song. Don’t listen to the critics on this one. It is amazing. See this with your little ones and talk to them about the lessons the chipmunks learn. Oh, and by the way, the movie makes everyone feel like a kid again! The munks version of Funkytown will make you want to get up and dance whether you’re 9 or 90. Highly recommended.
April 15th, 2010 on 2:20 am
This review is from: Alvin and the Chipmunks [Theatrical Release] (Theatrical Release)
An interesting cross-section of people attended the film at the same time my husband and I did. There was a group of college kids, parents with children, and Tony and I, who were going to see how faithfully a contemporary film translated a childhood cartoon hero. From the laughter, booing, and general merriment, I can tell you we were all having an excellent time. This definitely was not a performance that someone who likes to view films in quiet would have enjoyed. The story: David Seville (Jason Lee) is an advertising exec with dreams of becoming a songwriter. He’s got an ‘in’ with old college chum, Ian (David Cross), who is an exec with Jett Records, but still can’t produce anything that anyone would want to sing. It looks like David’s never going to be able to quit his day job until three chipmunks get their pine tree home chopped down and taken to the lobby of Jett Records office building. They stowaway in a basket of muffins David’s swiped from Jett in a fit of pique. A few hours later, David discovers he’s got an infestation of talking chipmunks–and the rest is pretty inevitable. He writes a song, they perform it, and become a true overnight success. I won’t spoil the rest of the story for you. This is a lighthearted film that you can take your young kids to without much problem. Those of you who grew up with the Chipmunks will be pleased with the treatment. The group sings some of the oldies, but they also strut their stuff on newer music as well.