It is hard to hate cute little talking chipmunks who love waffles, so maybe you can say I was annoyed.  

Jason Lee stars as Dave – an advertising exec who dreams of becoming a successful songwriter.  Just when it looks like he has run out of chances to impress record executive Ian (David Cross), Dave meets Alvin (voice by Justin Long), Simon (voice by Matthew Gray Gubler, whose next two movies are Pornstar and How To Be A Serial Killer) and Theodore (Jesse McCartney) – three singing chipmunks whose tree has been cut down and taken to the record company’s offices to be used as a Christmas tree. 

Dave immediately gets the inspiration he needs, and writes a surefire hit holiday song for the trio, but will the gang be torn apart by fame and money?  Will they stick together like a family?

Alvin and the Chipmunks is another in a string of animated movies that falls into the category of appealing to young children, and the parents who are only concerned with having a chance to get out of the house for a few hours and hear their young ones giggle.  It’s not Ratatouille.  It’s not even Shrek The Third or Bee Movie. 

The film gets off to a decent start playing on The Chipmunks’ natural cuteness, especially Theodore, who is so lovable you want to take him home with you, and your kids will be begging for the stuffed toy for Christmas.  Then, writers John Vitti, Will McRobb and Chris Viscardi head down the predictable road, which is paved with Alvin and the Chipmunks living a PG-rated Behind the Music existence with fame and money going to their heads, lots of slapstick wackiness, a bit of potty humor, and a sequence where The Chipmunks are in great peril, which might be a bit much for the young ones to handle.  Everyone tries too hard to modernize The Chipmunks and make them hip.        

Alvin and the Chipmunks is not really about the acting or the script, even though the writing team does try to throw in a few sly jokes for the adults who haven’t fallen asleep.  It’s low effort comedy for little kids. 

2 Waffles (Out of 4)

Alvin and the Chipmunks is rated PG for some mild rude humor. 

Copyright 2007 - WaffleMovies.com

Click here to buy posters