Reviewed by: Alexander Malsan
CONTRIBUTOR
Moral Rating: | Better than Average |
Moviemaking Quality: |
|
Primary Audience: | Kids Family |
Genre: | Family Animation Fantasy Comedy Music Sequel |
Length: | |
Year of Release: | 2011 |
USA Release: |
December 16, 2011 (wide—3,700+ theaters) DVD: March 27, 2012 |
Featuring |
Christina Applegate… Brittany (voice) Anna Faris … Jeanette (voice) Justin Long … Alvin (voice) Alyssa Milano … Daphne Snow Matthew Gray Gubler … Simon (voice) Jason Lee … Dave David Cross … Ian See all » |
Director |
Mike Mitchell |
Producer |
Bagdasarian Productions Fox 2000 Pictures Regency Enterprises See all » |
Distributor |
20th Century Studios, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Studios, a division of The Walt Disney Company |
Alvin and the Chipmunks (and the Chipettes, of course) are back! This time, they set sail on a cruise ship to sing at the International Music Awards. However, when Alvin’s antics go too far, the Chipmunks and the Chipettes are left stranded on a island. It’s up Alvin, the Chipmunks, and the Chipettes to work together to make it off and reach the International Music Awards on time.
Let me just start off by saying that I saw the first two movies; both were okay. However, the latest installment is better than I expected it to be. I was pleasantly surprised with this film and actually found myself laughing through parts of it. On another positive note, it was nice to see that the producers brought Jason Lee back for a bigger appearance in this third installment. The performances are good by all the actors and actresses. The camera work is decent. The music, apart from a couple questionable song choices, is good, as well.
Violence: Mild. There is a scene where Dave slips on the cruise ship deck. There are couple scenes where characters are hit in the head by small objects. Simon’s foot catches fire in one scene (this is brief,, and he is not injured). There is a scene where Eleanor falls from a zip line and breaks her paw. There are a couple scenes where the main characters are put in danger (these are brief and, again, no one is harmed).
Language: Most of the language is mild compared to what it could’ve been. Alvin mentions to Dave that when they get on the boat they should order a “pina colada.” Alvin slams into a tree while swinging on a vine and exclaims, “Oh my acorns.” The term “chicks” is mentioned a couple times in reference to women.
Sex/Nudity: There was no sex or nudity in the film, and I didn’t expect there would be in a G rated film. However, there are several things worth mentioning. Some women are seen on the ships in bikinis/swimsuits (I couldn’t tell which). The Chipettes sing a song about “wagging their tails back and forth.” Ian and Dave have a conversation, and Ian mentions not wearing anything underneath his costume. Lastly, Simon kisses Jeanette’s hand repeatedly.
Other: The song “Party Rock Anthem” by LMFAO is played during a scene at the ship’s casino. The Chipmunks and the Chippetes, once stranded on the island, sing part of “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga (in my opinion, not appropriate for a G rated film). “Fire work” by Katy Perry is also sung (some parents may find this objectionable). Eleanor mentions, after she and a few chipmunks walk across a log, that it’s a “good thing we don’t wear pants”
There are many positive elements to this film that are worth mentioning. Alvin, in this third installment, realizes that he has to become a more responsible chipmunk than he was in the past, once he, his brothers, and the Chipettes get stranded on the island. Dave learns that, after having a brief chat with Simon, he has to be more trustworthy when it comes to raising the Chipmunks and the Chipettes. The Bible talks about trust and how we should always trust in God for whatever or whenever we need him…
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him… and he will make your paths straight.” —Proverbs 3:4-6 (New International Version)
Overall, this installment of Alvin and the Chipmunks is fairly decent. In my opinion, it is slightly cleaner than the first two films. Will there be a fourth? Who knows? I can only recommend this movie with some caution, due to some of the objectionable items mentioned in the review. Be sure to stay through the beginning of the credits for an extra scene.
Violence: Mild / Profanity: Mild / Sex/Nudity: Mild
See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.
none
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My objections are those in the description above… gambling, immodest attire (even for a chipmunk), provocative dance, and so on. If you discuss this with your children or go without them, and if you view it as just another silly movie, you’ll enjoy it. If you look at movies with a very strict, conservative eye, you’ll definitely want to avoid this one. Take it or leave it. It’s cute, but that’s all… just cute.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Better than Average / Moviemaking quality: 4