Alvin and the Chipmunks 2 Review

Published by Jeff Leins on January 8, 2010

From the moment “We’re baaaack” is shrilly shouted over the opening credits, I knew sitting through this movie was a mistake.  Once again the three titular rodents are spotlighted on stage, squealing a harmonized “You Really Got Me” with rock band accompaniment.  At least they’re less computer modulated than Britney Spears.

Alvin and the Chipmunks 2 picks up right where the original left off, continuing the same silly sight gags, toilet humor, and slapstick fall-downs that children will love and parents will loathe.  If your kids were delighted by the first, they’ll giggle along with the “squeakuel,” but I suggest you wait for the rental to save yourself the money and the agony.

The CGI versions of Alvin, Simon, and Theodore are adorable balls of fur and predictability, breaking into song when the trite plot runs out of cliché ideas.  The chipmunk trio inexplicably go to high school where they encounter stock jocks, popularity contests, and their adoring fans.  The only thing more awkward than teenage girls fawning over half-naked rodents — “Theodor-able,” really? — is the chipmunks falling in love with female versions of themselves, the Chipettes.

Jason Lee returns briefly as Dave, their owner and music manager, over-emoting with all the skill of a high school drama student.  Watching him attempt to riff with imaginary chipmunks is about as torturous as listening to the high-pitched screeches of not three, but six separate chipmunks.  Luckily the screenwriters’ idea of a protagonist transition is putting a character or two in the hospital enclosed in neck braces, one of many cheap jokes involving life-threatening injuries.  Hilarious!

Taking care of the ‘munks in Dave’s absence is Tobey (”Chuck” star Zachary Levi), a gamer stereotype so into interactive entertainment that he neglects to turn on the Xbox 360 controller while playing.  Aside from the physical resemblance to Lee, Levi’s expressions are equally exaggerated, like a mime only more boring.

The hackneyed high school setup forces a singing talent showdown between the Chipmunks and the Chipettes, who are managed by the original’s villian, the nefarious Ian played by comedian David Cross).  Bobbing his head to high-pitched pop songs, you can almost see Cross’ dignity disappearing every minute.

The recycled kiddie bits are rivaled only in eye rolls by the chipmunks doing shrill impersonations of overused quotes like Apocalypse Now’s “I love the smell of ___ in the morning”, a The Silence of the Lambs “fava beans” line, and Taxi Driver’s “Are you talking to me?”  I was just telling someone kids movies need more references to violent classics.

2009 was an outstanding year for animation and Alvin and the Chipmunks 2 doesn’t belong in the same discussion as the plenty of other choices that provided more well-rounded entertainment for the entire family.  Here are a few better options for parents: Up, Ponyo, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Coraline, Astro Boy, and The Princess and the Frog.

1.5 out of 5.