Good Things Come in Small Packages -- ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: CHIPWRECKED Movie Review

POTATO ON THE GO Review (Movie):

In animation and in live action, the whole world has fallen in love with Alvin and the Chipmunks.  For sure, following it up with a new movie sequel will be quite challenging for the producers.  How else can you make it more fun?  'But this is the challenge that 20th Century Fox accepted and perhaps they are jumping in joy right now with the success of their newest offering ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: CHIPWRECKED!

From 20th Century Fox and directed by Mike Mitchell, the movie stars Jason Lee as David and the voices of Justin Long as Alvin, Matthew Gray Gubler as Simon, Jesse McCartney as Theodore, Christina Applegate as Britanny, Anna Faris as Jeanette, Amy Poehler as Eleanor and Alan Tudyk as Simone (you'll meet him for the first time in the movie hehe).  Also in the movie are Jenny Slate as Zoe, David Cross as Ian Hawke and Andy Buckley as Captain Correlli.

In this movie, Dave (Jason Lee) is on board a luxury with Alvin and the Chipmunks and the Chipettes for a well deserved break.  While vacationing, the Chipmunks and the Chipettes turn the cruise liner into their personal playground until they find themselves chipwrecked on a remote island after going overboard during the trip.  As the 'Munks and Chipettes scheme to find their way home, they accidentally discover their new turf is not as deserted as it seems.  Thinking that they have found a tropical paradise, they soon found out that they are not alone.

Indeed, good things come in small packages!  Alvin and the Chipmunks, as well as the Chipettes may be tiny, but they brought the house down with their cool island adventure and crazy antics!  In fact, even while they're a the ship, they already kept everyone smiling, laughing and enjoying the ride (or the voyage!).  Theodore's (Jesse McCartney) character is one laugh trip while the Chipettes' dance scene is definitely a number to beat!  :D  In the island, everyone's amused on how these little chipmunks, who are used to the city life, survive the wild!  Oh well, the 'Munks and the Chipettes are that talented to face their new home but seeing them explore the world on their own, without the help of Dave, is one big adventure!

Who wouldn't be amazed with the small squeaking voice (which we have associated with these characters) and the all out performance of the Chipmunks and the Chipettes?  Their singing prowess combined with their stage presence, fantastic moves and admirable personalities make them total performers on screen!  The music, which is arranged in a Chipmunk way, was among the strongest selling points of the movie. Children, young and old, fall in love in each of their production numbers. 

The humor is something that keeps the movie going.  The characters, basic as it may seem, were well planted and played off well which made them really admirable.  The sudden twist of characters was also a delight, Simon was fun to see in his new get-up!  The so-called "brain damaging" effect of something in the wild is another thing that made everyone laugh.  You will find out for yourself!  :)

I may be hooked with the movie's fun and adventure as well as its dance and music, I can't help but observe as well the fantastic art direction employed in the film.  Of course, I was amazed on how they built the setting for the our little folks but another commendable aspect is the way how animation is polished and integrated with live action.  Actually, I wasn't able to notice that the two are from different worlds!  :)

Lastly, while we are toured with their awesome adventure and out of this world fun, ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: CHIPWRECKED teaches the audience of a valuable lesson in life which is love for the family.  That's why this movie is perfect not just for kids, but for the entire family.  Dad, mom, the kids, even lolos and lolas (grannies) will definitely become instant fans after seeing this movie.  

There's just one thing I would like to point out.  The Chipmunks have learned their lesson well in the movie, in fact the hard way.  So I guess making the same mistake, or making the fault repetitive for the sake of fun or consistency with the rest of the franchise, does not leave a good message to the audience, especially to the kids.  It has told a very good life lesson already and I suggest that it should end at that.  The writer should have thought of another way to end the movie in a fun way because if not, it will end up that after all the Chipmunks have went through, they did not learn their lesson after all.  

In general, I still consider the movie a worthy watch and a perfect way to start the family's movie year!  From a scale of 1 to 10 claps, I'm giving Alvin and the Chipmunks a 6!  From 20th Century Fox, ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: CHIPWRECKED opens January 8 nationwide in Metro Manila, Cebu, Bohol, Davao, Pampaga, Angeles, Baguio, Bulacan, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, Bacolod, GenSan, Laguna, Pangasinan, Naga, Laoag, Tacloban, Dumaguete and Batangas.