I was a fan of the Alvin and the Chipmunks show that originally aired in the eighties, and to be honest, hadn’t caught much of the Chipmunks revival fever that had gripped the country in the last few years. However, I was given a copy of the latest film – The Squeakquel – in the Blu-Ray and DVD combo pack. First off, the blend of real and CGI actors – a list that includes Justin Long, Jason Lee, David Cross, and Jesse McCartney shows that there is some serious starpower to be had.
Furthermore, the different tracks that are performed during the Squeakquel are similarly strong. Of particular note here would have to be a Chipettes (female Chipmunk analogues) version of Beyonce’s “Single Ladies†and Corinne Bailey Rae’s “Put Your Records Onâ€. The backing story that envelops these tracks is a little bit clichéd, but is completely serviceable for the younger set that would be watching the film. The Squeakquel’s dramatic conclusion seems to place the Chipettes against the Chipmunks, and the resulting conclusion brings both groups together to lay the foundations for Alvin and the Chipmunks 3D, which is slated to hit theaters on December 16th, 2011.
The combo pack can be found at many retailers for under $20, and provides viewers of the theatrical release with more than enough additional featurettes and materials. Of particular note to long-time fans of the Chipmunks has to be “Munk Historyâ€, which goes into detail about the varied history of Alvin and the Chipmunks and a quarter-hour breakdown of the different musical performances that are present on the film. “A-Nut-Omy of a Scene†showcases exactly how much work is done in creating a realistic and compelling scene, while there is a trivia track present on the Blu-Ray that may yet stump even the best fans of the series. Pick up this release today.
Rating: 7.3/10
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (Blu-Ray) / 2010 Fox / 88 Minutes / http://www.fox.com / http://www.chipmunks.com