CHIPMUNKS BACK FOR MORE

CHIPMUNKS ARE BACK FOR MORE

By Gary McPherson

I’ve always had great disdain for Alvin and the Chipmunks. Not really sure why.
Maybe it was the high pitched squeal of their voices. Or maybe it was the fact that Alvin was a self absorbed, ego maniacal little brat.
But of all the Chipmunk incarnations, the films have been by far the most entertaining.

“Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel” basically takes over where the 2007 original left off. The boys are living with their ‘father’, songwriter Dave Seville (Jason Lee), making music and wreaking havoc.

But this time things go a little too far and Dave gets laid up, forcing the little rodents to go live with Dave’s cousin Toby. Their music career gets put on hold when Toby, for some reason, thinks the ‘munks should go to high school to get an education. Really, who wants stupid chipmunks living in their house? Not me.
At school, the trio meet their match, the Chipettes. Brittany (Christina Applegate), Eleanor (Amy Poehler) and Jeanette (Anna Farris) are aspiring singers as well and that is where mean old Uncle Ian comes in, once again.

If you remember, Ian Hawke was the radio executive who tried to exploit the boys in the original film. Played by the ever awesome David Cross, Ian sets his eyes on the girls and pits them against the guys in a talent show.

“The Squeakquel” contains a mixed bag of jokes, some of which are designed just for the kids, but a couple which only adults will chuckle at.

The best thing about this movie is the CGI technology. When you sit down, you completely forget that these furry little critters aren’t real. The graphics are so seamless that you don’t question why a chipmunk would be breakdancing.

Often, computer generated characters are a distraction in their ineptitude. But when it comes to Alvin and the vermin, director Betty Thomas and her crew have done a remarkable job.

Grade: B-