Christmas Marathon: Alvin and the Chipmunks (2007)

ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS

Directed by: Tim Hill

Cast: Jason Lee, David Cross, Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler, Jesse McCartney

Based on the tv show, this is a movie version of Alvin and the Chipmunks.  Dave Seville (Jason Lee) is a struggling songwriter who meets 3 talking chipmunks and by some chance, ends up bringing them to his house.  When he first discovers them, he tries to make them leave his house.  He then discovers that these chipmunks, Alvin “the awesomest one” (Justin Long), Simon “the smart one”(Matthew Gray Gubler) and Theodore (Jesse McCartney) can also sing.  He asks them to sing his songs in exchange for giving them a place to live.  Its then he brings them to his song producer, Ian Hawke (David Cross) who tries to separate them from Dave and use them as moneymaking machines.  However, the question is: can Dave and the chipmunks bond like a family?

This movie is also one thats set during the holiday season and we have Alvin and the Chipmunks “The Christmas song, (Christmas Is Here) is the name I believe.  Here is the video in case you don’t know it.

This is one that I have mixed feelings about.  It has some nice little singing that I like to listen to but as for the acting, it was not too good.  I realized that I winch at Jason Lee’s acting in this one.  He just has such exaggerated expressions.  It makes it all feel so fake.  However, I have this thing with hearing chipmunks singing.  They do a few songs like Bad Day and Only You.  Its a fun movie as Alvin just like a bunch of mischievous and clueless and know-it-all and these embodies the attitudes of certain kids when they want to experience and learn more about their surroundings.  Also, as much as the voices don’t sound like the actors voicing them, I was drawn to the fact that Matthew Gray Gubler does Simon.  He sure has the image especially since the plays the young and gifted Dr. Reid in Criminal Minds, one of my absolute favorite shows on TV.  Also, Theodore is just the most adorable little chipmunk ever!

This movie is good for children.  Its fun and musical and it has the theme of family: being committed and sticking together as a family.  That definitely is something we want in a Christmas movie. However, this shouldn’t be pegged as a Christmas movie to some as it just is set in the first half during Christmas and we hit Christmas day.

Anyone watch this during Christmas? How about the song, does it bring back some memories? Any Alvin and the chipmunk fans out there? Which one is your favorite?

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