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Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel
- Review Date: December 14, 2009
- PG
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 2009
Common Sense Media says
Amusing, silly sequel has a bit more edge than original.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakuel is low-key, amusing entertainment for both parents and kids, with a mix of verbal and slapstick humor and only a few crude jokes. With the introduction of girl Chipmunk group The Chipettes comes some flirting and suggestive hip-wiggling (similar to that of sexy starlets like Beyoncé and Shakira), which -- along with the infrequent use of phrases like "junk in the trunk" -- makes this sequel a little edgier than the original. But overall the movie focuses on family, togetherness, and acceptance and deals positively with school and peer pressure. Though the issue of body image comes up (at times, Theodore's weight is called to attention, as is that of his female counterpart, Eleanor), ultimately the message is one of liking yourself for who you are.
What's the story?
After an onstage mishap, Dave (Jason Lee) lands in a Paris hospital, and the Chipmunks wind up under the care of his doofus cousin Toby (Zachary Levi). Going to school for the first time, brothers, Alvin, Simon, and Theodore discover girls, bullies, and peer pressure; Alvin (voiced by Justin Long) is coaxed into joining the football team, which takes him away from his singing duties. Meanwhile, evil talent agent Ian (David Cross) returns -- having discovered all-girl chipmunk singing group The Chipettes -- and uses his same old nasty tactics to catapult the girls into the limelight. Trouble comes when Alvin's first big game falls on the same day as the big school talent show ... and The Chipettes are the main competition.
Is it any good?
Not so much good as it is low-key, amusing, and painless, this "squeakquel" from director Betty Thomas (The Brady Bunch Movie, Dr. Dolittle) has enough funny one-liners and bits of physical humor to entertain both kids and parents (especially if the parents are already Chipmunk fans). Crude humor is kept to a minimum, but Alvin's attempts at teen hipster talk may annoy parents and inspire impressionable kids to imitate him. And the Chipettes' dancing is designed to suggest many of today's pop starlets (Beyonce, Shakira, etc.) with some suggestive hip-wiggling.
But these quibbles come surprisingly infrequently. Overall, the movie doesn't try too hard for viewers' affections (it doesn't jump in your lap like a yapping puppy) and moves with speed and confidence. The songs are fun, the chipmunks are likeable, and the movie seems to have its heart in the right place. It may inspire some giggles and unexpected smiles from the whole family.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about peer pressure. Why did Alvin join the football team, especially when he knew the game would conflict with the talent show? What did he hope to gain? Were the bullies really his friends?
How does the movie approach the subject of body image? Would it be different if the characters dealing with the issue were human instead of chipmunks?
Cousin Toby has spent a lot of time playing and mastering video games, but what good has it done him?
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AGE
NO A TEACHING TOOL!!!
Our 5 year old saw this movie at school, yes public kindergarten. We were shocked to hear it was to teach them about bulling and teaseing. Yes it taught them how to do it!!!
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AGE
The true meaning of CRAP
Watching this film was:
a. painful
b. make you appreciatate the creativity, hard-work, and good film-making for films like Up, Wall-E, Ice-Age, etc.
This was horrible. No redeeming values for anyone. My kids will forget about this in less than 24 hours, and keep talking about good movies like Up. Don't waste your time. Buy a good DVD and stay at home.
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AGE
Not great, but not bad
Our daughter just turned 5, and every movie we've seen since she was born (including DVDs) we've seen as a family. I enjoyed this movie, and our daughter did within her limitations. Those limitations are that a feature-length film in one sitting is still a stretch for her, and she scares easier than many kids. At one point the Chipmunk character is threatened with mortal danger from a large predator--a teachable moment about movies and make-believe. Some of the main characters act in less-than-desirable manners during part of the movie, but they and the audience see the error of their ways by the end of the movie. In the end, I'd take the three of us again.
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AGE
a bit suggestive
in one part, the chipmunk's father calls and asks why his aunt can't come to the phone, and theodore says "she's practicing her pole dancing" and the aunt is in her 60's - 70's
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AGE
Sadly, An Average Film
Common Sense's reviewer, though mostly spot on about lessons learned, disappointed me in not mentioning what has become almost set in stone devices that every kid's movie has to have: someone getting an injury to the groin and at least one meaningless but blatant fart-joke. Why does a movie aimed at six years old have a ground level shot of a man lying on the ground with legs spread wide and a powerful motorcycle running into his crotch? I just don't understand the purpose of Theodore crawling under the covers with Toby and being gassed in his face? Other than appealing to the lcd of both kids and adults, why display such behavior?
The product placements were shameful as well. As far as I'm concerned, I don't care what is in films aimed at adults; do away with censorship and let the market decide. When it comes to kid's movies however, there should either be none allowed (not likely), or require a full disclaimer in all advertising (not likely either). Product placements aimed at children are a perfect example of corporate corruption accepted as an expected everyday event when it should be vilified and condemned. As parents my wife and I teach our kids to be skeptical of all commercials and to recognize product placements as the commercials they are.
All in all, when the description "…Only a few crude jokes…" is given as praise for a film aimed at this age group, I am saddened.
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AGE
This was a good movie and better than the second one. My only one problem is that the chipmunks could've been in middle school and not high school. Anyways, the only thing that you should be worried about is one scene Alvin says that their aunt is pole dancing (she really wasn't). It will go other the heads of 7 and younger. 6+
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AGE
Noisy garbage pretending to be "cute". Ugh!
Hated it! Since when are the Chipmunks in HIGH SCHOOL?! And why? They're chipmunks. Couldn't they be entering school for the first time? Attending a new school and all that goes with that? But high school? Just an excuse for LOUD music and the continued glorification of the 14-17 year old. Sure the "message" is Be Yourself...but the big "laughs", energy and focus go to just the opposite.
After a rowdy "rap" song opening Dave is injured so badly that he ends up in the hospital, in traction....in the first 8 minutes of the film. Then we watch Granny slowly roll backwards down a staircase in a wheelchair--all while looking horrified. My kids were scared. What was the purpose?
Why do the "Chippettes" (clever, huh?) need to be so suggestive? They're cartoons? Is this how far we've come? Girls are singularly "flirty", desperate for attention and in need of a boy for rescue?
Product placements galore, scary images of swooping eagles, references to pole dancing, an unnecessarily loud soundtrack and the celebration of snotty teens--who needs it? I wouldn't waste my children's time or my $ on this kind of junk food.
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| Topics: | book characters, music and sing-along |
| Studio: | Twentieth Century Fox |
| Director: | Betty Thomas |
| Cast: | Jason Lee, Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler, Zachary Levi |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 88 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | December 23, 2009 |
| DVD release date: | March 30, 2010 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | some mild rude humor |
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