2007's “Alvin and the Chipmunks” was an ugly exercise in low humor that had no business appealing to our children but succeeded thanks to the laziness of American parents; those unyielding masses who refuse to check what they expose their children to. That inability to nip the Chipmunks in the bud after one movie has led to a second film, not so cleverly dubbed “The Squeakquel.”
So, now the Chipmunks are back and somehow I am not clawing my eyes out. Don't misunderstand, I still am not willing to recommend the experience of these CGI rodents’ latest adventure but under the middling talents of director Betty Thomas, “The Squeakquel” is far superior to the execrable original.
As we rejoin the Chipmunks they are still huge international stars performing sold out shows in front of screaming teenagers. Naturally, Alvin (voice of Justin Long) remains his mischievous self, vamping for the crowd and generally calling attention to himself ahead of all else. Alvin's antics at a benefit concert in Paris get really out of control and lead to his adoptive dad Dave (poor, poor Jason Lee) nearly being crippled by an Alvin sign.
With Dave laid up in Paris for a while the boys are sent home to the care of their Aunt Jackie (Kathryn Joosten) until she too is laid up by accident, this one involving her layabout nephew Toby (Zachary Levi). This leaves Toby to care for Alvin, Simon (voice of Matthew Gray Gubler) and Theodore (Jesse McCartney) as they go off to school for the first time.
Yes, the Chipmunks are going to High School where they will encounter bullies, sports and most importantly girls and not just any girls, oh no dear reader, the Chipettes. Brittany (Christina Applegate), Jeanette (Anna Faris) and Eleanor (Amy Poehler) are talking female Chipmunks who also happen to be talented singers. Unfortunately, the girls are under the control of the nefarious record exec Ian (David Cross) who plots to use the girls to gain revenge on the Chipmunks (Ian was the villain of the first film, for those who were not aware).
All things come to a head, naturally, at a singing competition and charity performance that pits the Chipmunks vs. the Chipettes. Meanwhile, Alvin's ego after joining a popular group puts the boys’ performance in jeopardy. Can the Chipmunks overcome the odds to win the contest? Will Alvin learn a valuable lesson about family, loyalty and respect? Do you really give a damn?
There is only one question an adult should be asking themselves about a movie like “Alvin and the Chipmunks” and that is: Will it somehow corrupt my children? The simple answer is no, it will not. Though I find the film to be another dreary example of the decline of children's entertainment, Alvin is mostly inoffensive.
The very typical, simpleminded value reinforcement that is “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel” is just the kind of mild, forgettable distraction that works to anesthetize children for 80 minutes without turning them into murderers or thieves, a condition I honestly do believe involves exposure to lesser forms of entertainment like the previous “Alvin and the Chipmunks” movie.
Director Betty Thomas has never been a great director but she is a professional and far more caring than the director of the first film who shall remain unnamed by me. (It's not really a protest, I just don't feel any inclination to actually seek the name of the director of “Alvin and the Chipmunks.” Really, if you care to know, why are you reading this?) Thomas, at the very least makes this “Alvin and the Chipmunks” one that doesn't make me want to vomit. And that's something.
Ms. Thomas even made this film a charitable event. Making cameos in “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel” are a version of the wonderful Save the Music Foundation, a group dedicated to keeping the arts in school, and Toys for Tots, a tremendous organization that gives free toys to poor children.
Exposing these two groups in a major studio blockbuster damn near makes the mess of “Alvin and the Chipmunks” worth it. I still cannot recommend the film, especially while it competes with far superior family entertainment like “Princess and the Frog” and “The Blind Side.” However, for those so inclined to see “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel” you won't be offended and your kids will likely have forgotten about it by next week. That's really the best anyone can ask of this budding franchise.
BYLINE:
Sean Patrick Kernan is a film critic. Check him out at: http://www.myspace.com/number1ramjamfan.
2 comments:
I love when critics review kid movies. My 2 year old daughter loves the Chipmunks, even though it's stupid, little kids love it. But continue to waste your time silly film critic.
This is why cynical critics who lack an inner-child should not critique children's films.
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