Director: Betty Thomas
Duration: 93 minutes
Rating...
Originality & Concept: 1.5 / 4
Plot & Storytelling: 2.0 / 4
Visual Appeal: 5.0 / 6
Sound & Music: 4.5 / 6
Overall Rating: 6.5 / 10
Known as the world first "squeakquel", the next installment in the Alvin and the Chipmunks film offers a new setting with new characters. However, this new installment failed to offer an interesting story to hook anyone beside children.
Long story short, Alvin and his gang was sent to school after landing their dad, David, in hospital. They are now being taken care by David's cousin, Toby, who doubles as a video game fanatic and hopeless romantic. While in school, the Chipmunks found themselves having to face off Chipettes, who were led by Ian, in a singing competition while facing peer pressure and other personal problems.
While the point of putting the Chipmunks into high school seems logical and fresh from the Alvin and the Chipmunks movie point-of-view, it does seems like the movie is just using tried-and-true formulas from various movies and stitching them together and call it their own. The movie felt too similar to other musical films, such as High School Musical series and Bandslam.
Character-wise, this movie is too cramp. Not only does this movie features new characters such as the 3 Chipettes fighting for the spotlight, but also Toby, school principal Dr. Rubin but also the football gang. While most of the screen time is still devoted to the Chipmunks, the backstory and character development of the other supporting characters suffered. Toby's side story is shallow and boring and the movie is better off sticking to Dave instead.
I feel that since the Chipettes could have been given better treatment and more involvement in the story rather than just the love interest and rivals of the Chipmunks. Scenes of both groups interacting together felt too short seeing that this is the main attraction of the movie.
Perhaps the saving grace of the film is the mastery of the animators. The animation of the Chipmunks are much more refined than the original 2007 movie. Alvin, especially, were given more detailed facial expressions and the gang themselves are more easily distinguishable this time round. I also give my praise for the animation of the Chipettes as they feature more detailed clothing.
The dance sequence of the two groups were also nicely done and really make you wish that there were more. It is easy to see that the production crew has done a great job to bring out the best in the Chipmunks and Chipettes.
While the movie spot a great number of songs, their use in the film is so limited that you are better off listening to the soundtrack itself instead. I get the feeling that perhaps the animations of the dance sequence are too time consuming and that is why none of the songs are not fully featured. At the very least, the songs aren't abuse to make it look like a long music video.
Overall, for a soon-to-be 19 year old young adult, this movie does contain certain charm that allowed me to stay awake for 1 and a half hour in the cinema. It is funny and it looks great and I recommend parents to bring their kids to watch this fun-filled movie this holiday. But for everyone else, it is best to wait for the DVD or Blu-ray Disc to come out.
Links:
1. Review: Alvin And The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel Soundtrack
2. Official website: MunkYourself.com
3. Photos from The Internet Movie Database (IMDb)
4. Trailer from YouTube OfficialSqueakquel's Channel
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