All the single chipmunks

Alvin and The Chipmunks 2: The Squeakquel

Let's be honest, the first time around my kids loved this movie.  I mean LOVED IT!  At the time there were few contenders in the G movie stakes.  This time there are a slew of new movies: 'Cloudy with a chance of meatballs' and 'Planet 51,' both of which are great holiday fare for small people (and the grown ups who must accompany them!).

I hadn't expected much of this "squeakwel." I found the first one OK, but I am not their target audience - the small people that belong to me are, and they loved the second one as well.  They are still walking around and singing bits of Beyonce's "Single Ladies".  I'm not sure the boys know exactly what they are singing, but they love it anyway!

Jason Lee is back as the completely hopeless Dave Seville.  There must have been a few scheduling conflicts as he spends most of the film in a full body cast.  Also returning are Justin Long, Matthew Grey Gubler and Jesse MacCartney in the roles of Alvin, Simon and Theodore. David Cross is back as the evil ex record exec, Ian.  He gets most of the good lines, but isn't as funny as he was in the first movie.  To spice things up there are three new additions in the form of 'The Chipettes' who are voiced by Anna Faris, Christina Applegate and Amy Poelher; a pity we didnt get more from them as they are all fabulous comedians in their own rights.

The Chipmunks get to go to high school, and find out they are not as fabulous at school as they are out in the rockstar world.  They have a bit of a rude awakening after Dave is hospitalised and his selfish slacker cousin Toby (Zachary Levi from TV's 'Chuck') gets landed with daddy duties.  It all goes horribly pearshaped, and is made even worse by the untimely arrival of the very talented 'Chippettes'.  It all ends well with lessons learned about selfishness and the true meaning of family (awww...)

All in all, it's absolutely perfect family holiday fare.  Just not sure I can do the CD that goes with it...

By Anya Brighouse, 24 December 2009