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The boys must
put aside their new found music super stardom to return to school, and
are tasked with saving the school's music program by winning the
$25,000 prize in a battle of the bands.
But the Chipmunks
unexpectedly meet their match in three singing chipmunks known as "The
Chipettes" - Brittany, Eleanor and Jeanette. Romantic and musical
sparks are ignited when the Chipmunks and Chipettes square off.
For
a movie which took in over $360M worldwide... surely better minds could
have been put to work on this mind-numbingly poor sequel (which, itself, went onto make over $440M worldwide). The almost
embarrassing cheapness and laziness of the storyline (essentially High School Musical meets Glee... with Chipmunks) is at times, vile, once again promoting that pitiful American obsession with fame and popularity.
Yes
- the message comes through that "Remembering your family is more
important than being cool"... but if you really don't want kids to grow
up to be Paris Hilton... don't make that option look so damn appealing!
There
is the almost inexplicable inclusion (or lack) of Jason Lee's Dave
Seville. Clearly Lee couldn't get out of his contract for the
sequel after the backlash he received from the first, so his appearance
here is nigh-on pointless.
The late inclusion of Zachary Levi
(a third rate Zack Braff if ever I've seen one) is also beyond
comprehension - with his character so unlikeable or relevant that his
so-called "story arc" simply doesn't make sense.
And don't even get me
started on the bounty of Pop-Culture references totally irrelevant to
the target audience (and cringeworthy to those who "get it")!
The voice cast for the chipmunks is actually astounding (Justin
Long, Anna Faris, Christina Applegate, Jesse McCartney and Amy
Poehler), but seems like a complete waste of cash for two reason:
firstly, the target market has NO IDEA who these guys are... and more
importantly... the "Chipmunk" voice disguises the talent so much, you
could just as easily get the janitor to record a couple of lines and no
one would be any the wiser.
Now admittedly, all of these qualms
have little-to-no effect on the kiddies watching the movie itself. The
animated chipmunks are simply adorable and mesmerising, the tunes are
insanely boppy and the whole ordeal wraps up nice and quickly to avoid
a loss of concentration. They will love it.
However, parents also have to endure Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel as well... and they really will struggle here.
Do yourself a favour - rent the kids the far superior DVDs The Princess & The Frog or even Planet 51 these holidays... it's just as entertaining for the kids, and it won't give parents a brain hemorrhage.
DVD Special Features
There is plenty on offer here - but most annoying for parents will be the karoke function.... EARPLUGS... NOW!
Conclusion:
Movie 45% Extras: 60%
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