Morgan BellREVIEW: Alvin & The Chipmunks
September 17th 2008 13:12
A childrens movie with sophisticated humour to entertain adults . . .
Directed: Tim Hill (Garfield 2, Muppets From Space)
Written: Jon Vitti (The Simpsons Movie) - based on the original 1958 concept by creator Ross Bagdasarian Sr
Starring: Jason Lee (Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Almost Famous, TVs My Name Is Earl), David Cross (The Cable Guy, Shes The Man, TVs Arrested Development, TVs Just Shoot Me)
Voices:
Alvin - Justin Long (Jeepers Creepers, TVs Ed, poster boy for Apple Mac)
Simon - Matthew Gray Gubler (TVs Criminal Minds)
Theodore - Jesse McCartney (TVs Summerland, pop singer)
In the 1950’s, an innovative man by the name of Ross Bagdasarian, Sr. released records under the name of David Seville and the Chipmunks. To create the voices Bagdasarian recorded his voice and then sped up the playback. The success of the songs led to the creation of an animated series. The voices were all done by Bagdasarian, and his high-pitched characters earned him two Grammy Awards for engineering. Alvin, Simon, and Theodore were the names of executives for Bagdasarian’s record label.
In 2007 an acted film which used CGI animation for the chipmunk characters was released called Alvin & The Chipmunks. The film tells the story of how they first meet David Seville (Lee) who is a scruffy songwriter, and follows the lives of the chipmunks as they seek out a father figure whilst becoming embroiled in the callous pop music industry. As the talking and singing chipmunks rise to fame a music mogul called Uncle Ian (Cross) tries to take advantage of their talents and seperate them from their beloved Dave.
The things that really work in this film is the infectious music and the knock-out performances of comedy duo Lee and Cross. Songs include the traditional chipmunk classics "Witch Doctor", and "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas, Don't Be Late)", and some entertaining covers of disco hit "Funkytown", and Daniel Powter's "Bad Day". Jason Lee is perfectly cast as Seville, his trademark sarcasm, frustration, and general expressions of disbelief work in seamlessly with the naughty behaviour of his furry companions. David Cross plays the detestable manipulative villain so well, his lack of care or knowlegde about creative processes is hilarious, he doesnt know what a choreographer is, he represents the business side of the music industry and only cares about making money - at any expense!
I found this film surprisingly funny and very enjoyable to watch. The humour was quite sophisticated for a childrens film and the chipmunks actually looked quite cute and adorable (as opposed to that ugly unlikable CGI montrosity Garfield). It was a blast from the past to revisit our old familiar friends the chipmunks, yet somehow the modern take on the story let me reminisce while providing an overall refreshing feel!
watch Alvin & The Chipmunks sing "Funkytown" . . . in the nude! haha
Directed: Tim Hill (Garfield 2, Muppets From Space)
Written: Jon Vitti (The Simpsons Movie) - based on the original 1958 concept by creator Ross Bagdasarian Sr
Starring: Jason Lee (Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Almost Famous, TVs My Name Is Earl), David Cross (The Cable Guy, Shes The Man, TVs Arrested Development, TVs Just Shoot Me)
Voices:
Alvin - Justin Long (Jeepers Creepers, TVs Ed, poster boy for Apple Mac)
Simon - Matthew Gray Gubler (TVs Criminal Minds)
Theodore - Jesse McCartney (TVs Summerland, pop singer)
In the 1950’s, an innovative man by the name of Ross Bagdasarian, Sr. released records under the name of David Seville and the Chipmunks. To create the voices Bagdasarian recorded his voice and then sped up the playback. The success of the songs led to the creation of an animated series. The voices were all done by Bagdasarian, and his high-pitched characters earned him two Grammy Awards for engineering. Alvin, Simon, and Theodore were the names of executives for Bagdasarian’s record label.
In 2007 an acted film which used CGI animation for the chipmunk characters was released called Alvin & The Chipmunks. The film tells the story of how they first meet David Seville (Lee) who is a scruffy songwriter, and follows the lives of the chipmunks as they seek out a father figure whilst becoming embroiled in the callous pop music industry. As the talking and singing chipmunks rise to fame a music mogul called Uncle Ian (Cross) tries to take advantage of their talents and seperate them from their beloved Dave.
The things that really work in this film is the infectious music and the knock-out performances of comedy duo Lee and Cross. Songs include the traditional chipmunk classics "Witch Doctor", and "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas, Don't Be Late)", and some entertaining covers of disco hit "Funkytown", and Daniel Powter's "Bad Day". Jason Lee is perfectly cast as Seville, his trademark sarcasm, frustration, and general expressions of disbelief work in seamlessly with the naughty behaviour of his furry companions. David Cross plays the detestable manipulative villain so well, his lack of care or knowlegde about creative processes is hilarious, he doesnt know what a choreographer is, he represents the business side of the music industry and only cares about making money - at any expense!
I found this film surprisingly funny and very enjoyable to watch. The humour was quite sophisticated for a childrens film and the chipmunks actually looked quite cute and adorable (as opposed to that ugly unlikable CGI montrosity Garfield). It was a blast from the past to revisit our old familiar friends the chipmunks, yet somehow the modern take on the story let me reminisce while providing an overall refreshing feel!
watch Alvin & The Chipmunks sing "Funkytown" . . . in the nude! haha
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Comment by alt_ed
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Comment by Morgan Bell
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ill watch any movie anywhere!
the chipmunks are a million times better than that dud Shrek haha
Comment by Cibbuano
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It's notable, to me, because it marks the point where David Cross sells out for the big money...
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i did like it!
it was kind of like an episode of My Name Is Earl with some super cute singing furballs as guest stars!
David Cross really makes this film, he delivers all the big laughs and works up a great nervous energy!
this is probably the most major film role ive seen him in but he seems to have been edging his way towards commercial sucess for awhile
hi anonymous,
they are totally adorable!
you should give it a try, you might like it . . .