Directed by: Mike Mitchell
Starring: Jason Lee, David Cross, Jenny Slate, Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler,
Jesse McCartney, Amy Poehler, Anna Faris, Christina Applegate
Distributed by: Twentieth Century Fox
MPAA Rating: G
Release Date: March 27, 2012
Running Time: 87 minutes
Film: 3 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3 out of 5 stars
So, how can the world benefit from a third “Alvin and the Chipmunks” movie? It really can’t, except maybe by keeping the kids busy for 90 minutes. Well even though the film doesn’t change film cinema, it was surprisingly not as bad as I thought it would be. That being said, it far from spectacular also. I really felt bad for Jason Lee and David Cross for having to act in this, more for the later since he has to where a chicken suit the whole movie. I will hate myself for saving this but I thought the Chipmunks were really cute, especially the Chipettes. The music in the film was fun and added a lot of the film. With over $300 million in the bank worldwide, I do not think we have seen the end of this franchise either.
In the third entry, Alvin, Simon, Theodore, Dave (Jason Lee), and Chipettes Brittany, Jeanette, and Eleanor go on cruise on the way to the International Music Awards but wind up trapped on a tropical island. Split up from Dave, our fury friends meet an island castaway named Zoe (Jenny Slate), who is looking for a buried treasure. Time is running out though as their is a volcano on the island that is looking to explode. The film runs a short 88 minutes and definitely doesn’t over stay it welcome too much. Kids will love every single moment of this film though for sure.
The Blu-ray presentation is also impressive for this kids title. The video backs a very col
orful and sharp 1080p transfer. I mean the film is shot in Hawaii, it is guaranteed to looks beautiful The audio track works perfectly with the music in the film, boasting a great DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. Along with the Blu-ray, this release also comes with a DVD copy of the film. It also comes with a digital copy as well but doesn’t take advantage of the recent trend of using digital streaming service, Ultraviolet.
The special features are aimed at kids mostly but still decent. The first feature is called “Munk Music & Dance Machine”, runs about 20 minutes and is sing-along to your favorite songs from the movie. “Going Overboard with the Chipmunks” is a chat with the film’s producers on the production. “Munking Movies in Paradise” talks about shooting in Hawaii. “Everybody Munk Now” is a behind-the-scenes look at the filming of the “salsa night” dance scene. “Alan Tudyk, Chipmunk Apprentice” is a feature on voicing Simon’s alter-ego “Simone” in the film. If you want more music there are three music videos with optional sing-a-long mode. There are eight extended scenes, running about five minutes, nothing special. Lastly there are two “Fox Movie Channel Presents” features presented only in standard definition, “Growing Up Alvin” and “In Character with Jason Lee”, not sure why these are not in HD but worth checking out.