Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked (DVD + Digital Copy)

You know what you're getting with Alvin and the Chipmunks: squeaky-voiced little cgi chipmunks who get in trouble for the amusement of your child. I'm scoring this based on children's amusement, because no adult would watch this on their own (I hope).

Both the Chipmunks and the Chipettes, plus the hapless Dave, go on a cruise ship for a combination holiday and awards ceremony. (Don't ask.) They cause trouble, with some predictable slapstick moments, plus some singing and dancing.

Then they all get lost overboard and wash up on a desert island. ("Chipwrecked", geddit?) Dave is separated from them, along with the evil record producer guy from the earlier movies, who for some reason is dressed as a giant bird. (Don't ask.) So the Chipmunks have to look after themselves. And here comes the moral of the story: Alvin has been told off for being irresponsible, so now he has to take respnsibility and try to sort things out, because sensible Simon has been turned crazy by a spider bite. (Don't ask.)

To cut a short story even shorter, there's some mysterious buried treasure, a volcano, some chipmunk-romance, and more slapstick and dancing. Oh, and a really bad gag based on the old Tom Hanks movie Castaway. (Don't ask.)

Anyway, by the end there's been some character development, everyone is happy, safe, and off the island. And then there's a big musical number. Beause, you know, just because.

Is it any good? Well, kids enjoy it, so that's the main point. As an adult, I didn't hate it, which is okay. I'd not want to have to see it again, though.

Alvin and the gang are back, and this time, they're off on holiday! Once again, Dave Seville is in charge of his young chipmunk band, and they are going on a lovely cruise, and Dave is hoping for some much needed downtime. Alvin, on the other hand, is sure he's going to do pretty much what he wants to do, whether Dave agrees or not. After a fun few days on the ship (causing mayhem of course), Alvin decides to be a bit cocky on a hand-glider, and ends up adrift on it with the rest of the chipmunks, landing on deserted island in the middle of the sea. The chipmunks are sure they're going to be stuck on the island forever, but Dave, who dove into the sea after them, has made it to the island too alongside old nemesis Ian who was aboard the ship, but can't find the chipmunks. Will the Sevilles be destined to remain on the island forever... chipwrecked?!

The main actor in the film is Jason Lee, who reprises his role of Dave Seville for the third time. He seems to be perfect for the role in my eyes, a bit dopey and placid, watchable and funny, and the children really seem to like him as Dave as well. Considering he's acting with computer animated characters who aren't there when he is saying his lines, he does really well performing alone, and it seems very realistic when you view it. I really like the chemistry he has with David Cross who plays Ian, the ex-record company owner who turned down the Chipmunks in the first movie. Ian is a hilarious character, destined to be the idiot of the bunch, and there are some great scenes between Ian and Dave in this movie on the desert island together. There is a new female character in the movie, Zoe, someone who has been stuck on the island for years, but isn't all she seems. She allows for some good humour, although is clearly a psycho, something even Harry could see!

The chipmunks, as usual, are perfectly animated and great to watch on screen. They're cute, they're funny, they sing and dance and captivate their young audiences from the minute they come on to the minute the credits roll. They all have an individual style, both the girls and boys, and it's easy for even the youngest of viewers to work out who is who. Alvin, who takes the lead for the first part of the film is typically funny and had Harry laughing out loud. However, I was surprised to see shy Simon take more of a front role this time, and I really enjoyed watching him. The female chipettes are voiced by some pretty big Hollywood actresses, Christina Applegate, Anna Faris and Amy Poehler, but of course their voices are so distorted you simply haven't got a clue who they are when you're viewing it.

The story itself is quite good, and allows for lots of things to happen to keep the young audience entertained. As per usual with Chipmunk films, there's quite a bit of singing going on, including songs such as Destiny's Child's 'Survivor' Lady Gaga's 'Born This Way', Pink's 'Trouble' and Rihanna's 'SOS'. I really enjoyed the soundtrack, and all the songs worked really well with their arrangements, even if the Chipmunks/Chipettes singing could be a little ear-splitting at times! The animation was really good throughout on the chipmunks, and the scenes on the desert island were beautiful, it was a lovely location and allowed for lots of strange goings-on. There was nothing really scary for little ones, just a bit of mild peril so it should be a film that is suitable for all ages that are able to sit through a 90 minute long movie! I found the pace didn't lack at all, and the story was simple enough for youngsters to follow without boring parents out of their brains too, so thumbs up for that.

Overall, I found the film to be a good watch, and is probably my favourite of the 3 Chipmunk films so far, and a huge improvement on the awful second movie. Harry really every second, even the bits toward to the end which scared him a little bit! The animation of the chipmunks is perfect which is of course very important seeing as they are the stars of the movie, and the actors do a great job working alongside the fictional creatures too! If you didn't like the first two films, I doubt you'll like this but remember it's all for the kids, and I'm sure they'll enjoy the funny action. As well as being an amusing watch, there's a pretty important message in there as well about stepping up to the plate and being the person you didn't think you could be when the situation calls for it, and I found a few bits quite touching, maybe I'm just too soppy! A very good kids movie though, and one I wouldn't mind be subjected to again if the occasion arose!

I took my 11 year old daughter and her friend to see this before Christmas.

Both girls found it hugely entertaining and full of laughs which is the object of the exercise as they are the target market for this film.

As an older Dad, I found it fun even though the plot was rather contrived and deeply silly. I also felt that it was probably the slightly weaker of the three Chipmunk films(and why are the baddies in these film always bald? We aren't all bad! ;-))

For my daughter, she gave this 5*****. I give it 3*** so we shall split the difference and call it a 4**** film!