ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE SQUEAKQUEL

Based on the characters created by Ross Bagdasarian, the family flick Alvin and the Chipmunks (2007) showed the adventures of three young chipmunks that join the music world: Alvin, Simon and Theodore.
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Now, two years later, they're back: directed by Betty Thomas, Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (USA, 2009) brings back the three singing characters - and the Chippettes, the female chipmunks.
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After their guardian Dave Seville (Jason Lee) has to check in the hospital, the chipmunks are sent to live with Toby (Zachary Levi, from the show Chuck). On the second film, they're still singing, but there's a new adventure waiting for them.
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Alvin, Simon and Theodore have to go to school (and I still don't know why, they're sent to *high* school). There they'll meet the usual school characters: the bullies, the popular girls... And a group of female chipmunks: the lovely Eleanore, Jeanette and Brittany.
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The story is not really relevant. There's a singing competition coming and they're put on different sides by the big villain: Ian (David Cross), who wants a big comeback to the music business presenting the Chippettes.
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Frankly, I thought the first film was better. Not really because of Dave (who appears in only 4 or 5 scenes in this one), but because the story was more consistent. The second movie is more for the kids: the adults might not like it that much.

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But there are some good moments in The Squeakquel, like the Chippettes singing Single Ladies by Beyoncé (not as hilariously as Joe Jonas or Justin Timberlake, though) and even a moral lesson when Alvin has to choose between his family or his friends.

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There are important names on the voice cast: Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubbler and Jesse McCartney as the Chipmunks; and Amy Poehler, Anna Farris and Christina Applegate as the Chippettes. Which is a big question, why having all those big names (and paychecks) if the voices will be altered?

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But it doesn't seem to be a problem: The Squeakquel has already made US$ 364.7 million worldwide, against US$ 360.5 million from the first one. It's been doing very well commercially, even though it is not brilliant.

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My rating is 6: not brilliant and has its flaws, but okay. It kept me entertained for 1h30, so it's succeeded on it's objective. Take it easy on this one: it's just a light family movie to pass the time.

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>> ZÉ B. [6/10]

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>> iRaphael [5/10]

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IMDB link: HERE