“Alvin and the Chipmunks”
20th Century Fox Films
Directed by Tim Hill
Starring Jason Lee, David Cross, Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler and Jesse McCarthy
Rated PG

2 Stars

It’s unfair to ask film critics to review a silly little film like “Alvin and the Chipmunks” at the same time that we’re compiling our annual top ten lists. Let’s be honest, as likeable as Jason Lee may be, he and his animated chipmunk friends don’t stand a chance when held in comparison to the year-end onslaught of overtly artistic, Oscar-bait cinema.

Still, setting artistic pretensions aside, I’ve got to admit that there’s a goofy sense of fun that permeates “Alvin and the Chipmunks.” The story may be nearly non-existent and the acting pedestrian at best, but the chipmunks are just so darn cute that the film will make you smile—you may even sing along at times. I mean, a trio of rodents singing “Funkytown?” How could anybody resist that?

Based on Alvin, Theodore and Simon Chipmunk, helium-voiced characters created fifty years ago, the film stars Jason Lee as a struggling but kind-hearted composer who discovers three chipmunks in his kitchen one night. He’s a bit surprised to find out that these chipmunks can talk. Better yet, they are quite talented singers, so the composer agrees to let the chipmunks move into his home and they quickly become musical sensations.

David Cross plays the music executive who works the chipmunks too hard, but his villainous part seems like it was created in a desperate move to flesh out a story. It’s not really needed, as the film hinges entirely on the likeable composer playing father figure to three cute-but-mischievous rodents. Jason Lee’s laid-back persona makes a nice contrast to the frenetic mischief of Theodore, Simon, and especially Alvin.

Or should I say, “Allllllllllllllll-vin!”

The slapstick humor isn’t ever laugh-out-loud funny, but the animated chipmunks are cute and the music is bright and bouncy. “Alvin and the Chipmunks” isn’t going to make anybody’s top ten list, but it’s a sweet-spirited diversion that should keep the kiddies out of mom’s hair for an hour and a half.


Movie reviews by Sean, “The Movie Guy,” are published Wednesdays and Fridays in “The Port Arthur News.” He can be found weekly on KAVU-TV and KVIC Radio. Additional reviews can be found at www.rottentomatoes.com, www.panews.com or at www.myvictoriaonline.com. Sean welcomes your comments via email at smcbride@kavutv.com.