Munky Business
posted on Friday, January 18, 2008 in Movie Reviews
How does one begin to review a movie like Alvin and The Chipmunks? It is one of those movies that will undoubtedly do well, despite its quality. There is a powerful commercial underpinning to the film, a market-researched, focus grouped charm to it that will undoubtedly lead children into theaters, bringing their parents along, who are eventually appeased by the overt morality, the sheer nostalgia of it all and the easy enjoyment of their offspring. In that way, Alvin is a very successful movie, if a little empty inside. Dave Seville is a struggling songwriter who’s been told that he doesn’t have a chance in the industry because he writes songs that no one will sing. His fortunes change when he finds three talking (and singing) chipmunks in his home. With the chipmunks singing his songs, Dave finally finds some success and a little happiness, but a crooked record executive is set to try to tear their little family apart.
The story does manage to get in a few clever touches, like the origin of the classic “Christmas Don’t Be Late,” but generally, it’s just a paint-by-numbers plot that doesn’t offer any real surprises. Not that it matters, of course. This movie really just depends on its cuteness factor to get through, and honestly, kids will just love Theodore. Heck, even some adults might break down and awww over the pudgy little chipmunk.
In technical terms, the chipmunks are pretty well done. They did find a good balance between being cartoony and being realistic, and the result is pretty fun to watch. People will get a kick out of seeing these chipmunks sing. The rest of the film isn’t as technically sound, with some really baffling directorial choices and some pretty sub-par production design. There’s hardly ever anything interesting or eye-catching on screen when the chipmunks aren’t in the scene.
The cast does okay. Jason Lee was born to play Dave Seville. When he yells “Aaaalllviiiiiiin!,” he’s pitch perfect, and people might get a nostalgic kick from it. Otherwise, though, it really feels like he’s just going through the motions. David Cross is pretty funny as the evil record producer. He gives off just the right amount of smarminess to pull it off. It’s hard to judge the voice performances, since they’re all modified, but the actors seem to get the point across. That’s actually the general feeling about the performances in this film. The script doesn’t really call for the actors to stretch their acting muscles, so it feels like all they’re trying to do is get the point across. And they do that.
A lot of people were expecting Alvin and the Chipmunks to be an unmitigated disaster, but it isn’t nearly as bad as some people thought it would be. It still isn’t quite good, though, and all in all, there’s a sense of soullessness to the entire thing. It doesn’t quite feel like a film in that sense; it’s more like a business proposition, the first volley in what will undoubtedly be another line of merchandise that kids will eat up. It’s Munky business, and what good business it is.
My Rating:
Do you agree with this rating? Submit your own.
Read User Reviews
I'm looking for Alvin and The Chipmunks.
PLDT Watchpad
