Bottom line: Alvin and the Chipmunks The Squeakquel finds our furry friends in a new adventure -- going to school. Kids will love the music and characters, especially in the school setting, and the introduction of the Chipettes!
MPAA Rating: PG, for some mild rude humorGenre: Comedy/Family
Runtime: Approx. 89 minutes
Starring: Jason Lee, Justin Long, David Cross, Matthew Gray Gubler, Jesse McCartney, Anna Faris, Christina Applegate, Amy Poehler
Release Date: December 23, 2009
Alvin and the Chipmunks The Squeakquel - Overview
Our furry little singing sensations are in for a new adventure when Dave is injured and his cousin Toby comes to take care of them. Since Dave wants the boys to live a normal life, he informs Alvin, Simon and Theodore that they will have to attend school. School life for the Chipmunks holds the usual problems with bullies, teachers, popular kids and more, but the boys are really thrown for a loop when three new students enroll -- the Chipettes.
As if three cute girl chipmunks wasn't enough, they sing, too, and they are now Alvin, Simon and Theodore's competition in a high school music competition. Oh, and it get's worse, the girls have been signed by Ian, the Chipmunks' shady former manager. Alvin disses his brothers, Simon can't get him back on track and all of this turmoil just might be too much for poor Theodore! But when things begin to go wrong for the Chipettes, the Chipmunks show what they are really made of.
Alvin and the Chipmunks The Squeakquel - Guide Review for Parents
Like the original live-action Chipmunks movie before it, Alvin and the Chipmunks The Squeakquel is a complete winner with kids. Adults, say what you'd like -- yes, the story is bogus, the high-pitched voices can be annoying, and for some of you, that 90 minutes might seem like a life time, but your kids will be having a blast. Tiny, cute, furry, personality-filled characters of both genders who sing, dance and get into a load of trouble are just irresistible to kids, and they will also likely want to buy the soundtrack.
As far as content goes, the film contains little content of concern, relatively speaking. Of course, what kids' movie could get by without some rude jokes concerning things like farting and food, as well as some put-downs and name calling? The movie also contains some cartoonish violence and bullying. A heavy focus is placed on entertainment, fame, and sexy dancing by the Chipettes. The movie does convey a positive theme, though, about friendship and family. For more detailed examples of possibly offensive or disturbing content in the movie, please see the "content overview" below.
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel - Content Overview
*May contain spoilers.- Violence (Low): Most of the violence in the movie is meant to get laughs or is cartoonish in nature. Dave is injured and hospitalized after an accident at a concert. An older lady in a wheelchair falls down some stairs. Some nasty games of dodge ball are played.
- Sex/Nudity (Medium): The Chipettes' dance movies are somewhat suggestive, imitating the way pop stars actually dance on stage.
- Drugs and Alcohol (None)
- Language (Low): Some rude words like "jerks" and "suckers" are used.
- Disrespectful/Imitative Behavior (High): Bullies engage in typical behavior like knocking others around, threatening other students, and playing pranks. Some crazy driving and other mild recklessness occurs. Alvin ditches his brothers to be part of the popular crowd.
- Scary Scenes (Low): Some children might be afraid for the chipmunks when they are put in peril due to a large bird. Some kids may also find some of the scenes involving Ian trying to take the Chipettes suspenseful.
- Sad/Unsettling Scenes (Low): The boys are sad when Dave is injured. Conflict occurs between Alvin and his brothers at various times in the movie.
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel Topics to Discuss
- After seeing Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel, kids may have questions about: talking animals, high school, bullies, bodily injury, the music biz, agents, fame.
Photo © 20th Century Fox
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel on Blu-ray
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel is available in a Blu-ray combo pack including the DVD and digital copy. The Blu-ray contains exclusive features and BD Live capability - although I'm not sure why they put the two deleted scenes in the BD Live section as opposed to just putting them on the disc. The scenes are quite short for the time it takes to get into BD Live and download them. BD Live also offers a look up feature to find out more about the stars and filmmakers, which is really cool for movie buffs.Bonus features, which are numerous, range from lame (how long can they go on about all the work the "Stuffies" do?) to fairly interesting. Some of the featurettes seem to go on and on saying the same thing over and over in different ways. Kids, though, will enjoy the features that contain making-of info about the process of putting the Chipmunks into the live action film, the voices behind the famous rodents, and more. Here is a quick rundown of the special features:
- Munk Music Machine: Watch the songs from the movie
- Music in a Nutshell Song Trivia: Pop-up facts about songs in the movie
- A-l-v-i-n-n-n-n!!! Album Maker: Choose moments from the movie to snapshot and create an album.
- Music Videos with Optional Sing-Along Lyrics
- 8 Nutty Featurettes: Learn facts about the history of the Chipmunks and the making of Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel
- Shake Your Grove Thing with Rosero!: Learn a few chipmunk moves and shake your grove thing.
- BD-Live: Features live look-up and a couple of deleted scenes
