Alvin and the Chipmunks (2007)

A struggling songwriter named Dave Seville finds success when he comes across a trio of singing chipmunks: mischievous leader Alvin, brainy Simon, and chubby, impressionable Theodore.

Director:

Tim Hill

Writers:

Jon Vitti (screenplay), Will McRobb (screenplay),

Stars:

Jason Lee, David Cross, Cameron Richardson

2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jason Lee	...	Dave
David Cross	...	Ian
Cameron Richardson	...	Claire
Jane Lynch	...	Gail
Justin Long	...	Alvin (voice)
Matthew Gray Gubler	...	Simon (voice)
Jesse McCartney	...	Theodore (voice)
Allison Karman	...	Female Intern #1
Tiara Parker	...	Female Intern #2
Kira Verrastro	...	Female Intern #3
Veronica Alicino	...	Amy
Beth Riesgraf	...	Mother in Store
Adriane Lenox	...	Vet
Don Tiffany	...	Engineer
Lorne Green	...	Director

Storyline

In a tree farm, three musically inclined chipmunks, Alvin, Simon and Theodore, find their tree cut down and sent to Los Angeles. Once there, they meet the frustrated songwriter David Seville, and despite a poor house wrecking first impression, they impress him with their singing talent. Seeing the opportunity for success, both human and chipmunks make a pact for them to sing his songs. While that ambition proves a frustrating struggle with the difficult trio, the dream does come true after all. However, that success presents its own trials as their unscrupulous record executive, Ian Hawke, plans to break up this family to exploit the boys. Can Dave and the Chipmunks discover what they really value amid the superficial glamor around them?

---

Plot Keywords:

chipmunk | songwriter | nickelodeon | triumph tr4 | laptop computer | 

---

Taglines:

Things are going to get messy.

---

Genres:

Animation | Comedy | Family | Fantasy | Music

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some mild rude humor

Details

Official Sites:

20th Century Fox (us) 20th Century Fox [fr]

Country:

USA

Language:

English French Spanish Japanese

Release Date:

14 December 2007 (USA)

Also Known As:

Alvin et les Chipmunks

Filming Locations:

Walt Disney Concert Hall - 111 S. Grand Avenue, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$60,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£1,433,937 (UK) (21 December 2007)

Gross:

$217,326,336 (USA) (30 May 2008)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fox 2000 Pictures, Regency Enterprises, Bagdasarian Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Alvin wears the signature red baseball cap twice in the film.

---

Goofs

When Dave throws the basket of muffins in the metal trash can, one of the trash can handles is clearly visible as the camera zooms out. Moments later the camera zooms back in on the trash can and the handle cannot be seen.

---

Quotes

[first lines]
Alvin (singing voice), Simon (singing voice), Theodore (singing voice): [a capella] Where is the moment we needed the most/You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost/They tell me your blue skies fade to gray/They tell me your passion's gone away/And I don't need no carryin' on/Cause you had a bad day/You're taking one down/You sing a sad song just to turn it around/You say you don't know/You tell me don't lie/You work at a smile and you go for a ride/You had a bad day/You've seen what you like/And how does it feel for one more time/You had a bad day/...
[...]

---

Crazy Credits

During the ending credits, there are signs for the memory and dedicated that say "This film is dedicated to Ross Bagdasarian Sr., who was crazy enough to invent three singing chipmunks nearly fifty years ago."

---

Connections

Referenced in Atop the Fourth Wall: Robocop vs. The Terminator #1 (2012)

---

Soundtracks

"Mess Around"
Written by Ali Dee (as The DeeTown Syndicate for DeeTown Entertainment, Inc.), Nick Danzinger (as The DeeTown Syndicate for DeeTown Entertainment, Inc.) and Sarai Howard (as The DeeTown Syndicate for DeeTown Entertainment, Inc.)
Produced by Ali Dee (as The DeeTown Syndicate for DeeTown Entertainment, Inc.)

User Reviews

Harmless fun for a young audience.

I grew up watching the 80's version of the chipmunks, so when I first saw the trailer to this predictable but cute live-action update, I was somewhat happy. Although I knew that the humor would be targeted at a crowd under 10 years old, I still wanted to see it, especially since the 1980's animated film THE CHIPMUNK ADVENTURE is still one of my all-time favorite animated films.

THE PROS: Well I went and saw it, and my expectations were met. It was more for younger kids, but it was throughly enjoyable. It was good to hear the Chipmunks sing their classic Christmas song, there were plenty of funny (but not hilarious) moments, and the Chipmunks themselves were well-animated and undeniably adorable (particularly Theodore).

THE CONS: The story is predictable (although typical for most kid's films nowadays). Jason Lee is badly miscast as the Chipmunks' long-suffering songwriter and adopted father, David Seville. Also the "romance" between Dave and his neighbor is too clichéd. We don't need some sort of love story in every single film in my opinion.

Overall, there is nothing brilliant about this film, but it's still fun. It ought to please young children and their parents.

BOTTOM LINE: It's no Citizen Kane, but it's more fun than a Hula Hoop.