Alvin and the Chipmunks
January 25, 2008
Actors: Jason Lee, Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler, Jesse McCartney, David Cross, Cameron Richardson, Jane Lynch, Celestina
Director: Tim Hill
Writer: Jon Vitti
Music: Christopher Lennertz
Alvin and the Chipmunks, which had been released in theatres all over on December 17, 2007, is a fun filled family film that children would love to see along with their parents. It is all about the life and return of the musical group Alvin and the Chipmunks.
Three chipmunks (names Alvin, Simon and Theodore) find refuge in the house of a struggling song writer Dave Seville (played by Jason Lee) when their favorite tree is chopped. The story starts in a hill background in a snowy forest. The chipmunks can talk and even sing. After landing in Dave’s house, they lend their cute voices to his songs and fancy dance moves and turn them into chartbusters overnight. The record company executive Ian (David Cross) sees big money in his future and takes over the act and pushes Dave aside. Dave then tries to save his little family before they face a show biz disaster. This film serenades family values as invaluable, going beyond money, glamour and the glitzy glutton’s life.
Director Tim Hill, one of the most “well known infamous” cartoon workers of the 90s and 2000s, has tried to make it a perfectly enjoyable flick for kids and mildly amusing for parents. There is sweetness in all the funny activities of the chipmunks with Dave. The plot is a little pretentious, but the film has several funny moments thanks to excellent computer effects and the three cute stars. The movie is entertaining. Tim Hill had directed feature films such as Muppets from Space, Max Keeble’s Big Move and Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties.
Alvin and the Chipmunks has new versions of some old songs like ‘Witch Doctor’ and ‘The Chipmunk Song (Don’t Be Late)’. These songs in new versions leave behind freshness. It also covers versions of songs such as ‘Bad Day’ and ‘Funkytown’ and new songs like ‘Ain’t No Party’ and ‘Get Munk’d’. Other songs in the film are ‘Abyss of Death’, ‘Don’t Cha’ and ‘I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll’. Christopher Lennertz, a musical composer for films, television shows, and video games, has given music for the film. He was recognized for soundtrack for the film Medal of Honor. His collaboration on Ozomatlis Street Signs album garnered a Grammy Award.
