Review of 'Alvin and the Chipmunks'

Alvin and the Chipmunks (PG)

Released: 21st December 2007

Director: Tim Hill

Starring: Jason Lee, David Cross, Justin Long, Cameron Richardson

One of the multitude of Christmas offerings for the tiny people who live among us, Alvin and the Chipmunks is a modern CG/live action “re-imagining” of the classic singing critters first created by American songwriter Ross Bagdasarian. Many may remember them fondly from the cartoon series’ of the 60’s and 80’s, but if you’re hoping that this film will provide your own offspring with the same warm fuzzy feelings you remember from all those years ago I’m sorry to say you’ll be sorely disappointed.

For a start these chipmunks are not drawn they are computer generated. While there is much to be said for modern computer animation and its place in cinema these pixelated rodents are an advert for some of what is worst about the medium. The vague attempts at anthropomorphising the trio end up with something that looks more eerie than cutsie. Also, while children might be able to buy in to the idea that these little guys are really really in that kitchen, your average adult viewer will always feel a sense of disconnection from the action.

Personality wise the titular creatures are not as annoying as you might presume. Although they never really go so far as to endear themselves, their faux street-wise attitude combined with a childish understanding of the world is, at least initially, appealing. As far as un-imaginary actors go there is a little more hope. Jason Lee is tasked with holding things together for the first half of the film and does a passable job with what he is given script-wise. However you can’t help but notice an undercurrent of embarrassment in some scenes.

David Cross, on the other hand, provides the majority of the movies highpoints. His music mogul exaggerations and deadpan efforts to be down-with-the-kids are regularly hilarious. Heart achingly once the film lurches into its second half and story carrying duties are passed onto Cross the hilarity grinds to a halt. Cross, now devoid of opportunity for comedic improvisation, is left to wrestle his average acting talents around a frankly awful script. He quickly loses any goodwill he might have built up in the first 30 minutes.

The story itself is a morality tale about the evils of the modern recording industry and a parable for the good ol’ American family unit (albeit a unit made up of one unemployed musician and three talking furballs). Arriving in Dave’s (Lee) house they proceed to cause no small amount of mayhem and are duly cast back out onto the street. However when Dave discovers their hidden singing talents he quickly becomes surrogate father on the condition that they sing the songs he writes. Entranced by the warbling woodland creatures the morally questionable record company head Ian (Cross) signs them up immediately; while putting into action his own dastardly plan to claim the chipmunks for himself. While this might sound OK on paper, when it comes down to it this really isn’t interesting or well executed enough to maintain anyone’s interest – even the younger viewers. Alvin and the Chipmunks is not a long film (90 mins) but you’ll certainly be relieved once the credits roll.

Shoehorned in between all of this is the obligatory love story between Dave and ex Claire (Richardson), who is inexplicably often nearby wherever Dave happens to be. While Richardson does admirably well to inject a little sentiment into what is essentially an afterthought, there is little she can do to save it from bad writing and a distinct lack of any real conclusion.

It is not only the love story sub plot that suffers from a less than satisfactory ending. The last few scenes of the film feel like they were invented on the spot, when someone realised no one had thought how to conclude the film. Lacking in any sort of proper explanation or feeling of closure this will feel woefully inadequate to both big and little person alike. If you need a film to entertain the kids at this time of the year rent a Pixar movie instead.