Alvin & The Chipmunks: The Chipmunks Go to the Movies

By Jane Louise Boursaw

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MPAA Rating: Not Rated

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DVD Release: May 22, 2007
Genre: Family, Animation, Comedy, Music
Runtime: 66 minutes

Synopsis: This DVD features three episodes from the cartoon series that ran from 1983 to 1991, revolving around brothers Alvin, Simon and Theodore, and their adopted human dad, Dave. This DVD includes spoofs of three classic movies: Star Wreck, Batmunk, and Funny…We Shrunk the Adults.

Sex/ Nudity: None.
Violence/Gore: Some mild cartoon explosions, fighting, and sibling rivalry.
Profanity: None.

Which Kids Will Like It?
Ages 3 to 7.

Will Parents Like It?
Yes. The chipmunks’ voices get ultra-annoying after an episode or two, but the writing is smart and funny – right down to chipmunks who look and sound like Spock and Capt. Kirk!

Special Features: None.

Kaboose Review: Created by Ross Bagdasarian, Sr. in the 1950s, the “Alvin & the Chipmunks” franchise revolves around three singing chipmunk brothers. Alvin is a mischievous troublemaker, but also the star of the group. Simon is a tall, bespectacled, brainy guy. And Theodore is a chubby, impressionable sweetie. The trio is managed by their adopted human dad, David Seville.

Some people might find the chipmunks’ squeaky voices ultra-annoying, but the writing is smart and funny, as displayed in these three episodes featuring Alvin as the dashing Captain Dirk, Simon as a caped crime-fighter, and Dave and Ms. Miller as tiny victims of an experiment gone oh so wrong.

Tweens and teens might feel they’ve outgrown the singing ‘munks, but younger kids will likely enjoy them. The stories include some sibling rivalry, but it’s clear that the brothers ultimately love each other. The adults are sympathetic and caring, as well. The episodes generally include a message, as well as various pop tunes squeaked out by the chipmunks.

Episodes include:

1. "Star Wreck" (orig. airdate, 10/13/90). Odd things happen where no chipmunk has dared to go – that would be outer space. Alvin stars as Captain Dirk, commander of the S.S. Boobyprize, Simon is Mr. Speck, and Brittany is Uhaha. Together, they must rescue fellow crewmember Dr. McRoy (Theodore), who’s been abducted by aliens. The chipmunks sing “Bad Moon Rising.”
2. "Batmunk" (orig. airdate, 9/29/90). In his most heroic role ever, brainy Simon plays the caped crime-fighter, tasked with stopping the villainous Jokester (Alvin) and his cult of crooked clowns from stealing all the toys in the city. The chipmunks sing “Highway to the Danger Zone.”
3. "Funny…We Shrunk the Adults" (orig. airdate, 12/1/90). Alvin starts an indoor musical skateboarding rally with Simon, Theodore and the neighbor kids. But things quickly get out of control when Simon’s shrinking machine accidentally shrinks Dave and Ms. Miller down to microscopic size. The chipmunks sing “Short People.”

Directed by: John Kimball, Rudy Larriva, Charles A. Nichols
Cast: Ross Bagdasarian Jr., Nancy Cartright, Dody Goodman, Janice Karman

Jane Louise Boursaw is a freelance journalist specializing in the movie and television industries. Visit her online at www.ReelLifeWithJane.com.