ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: CHIPWRECKED (Mike Mitchell). 87 minutes. Opens Friday (December 16). For venues and times, see Movies. Rating: N
The third entry in the irritating Alvin And The Chipmunks franchise ditches the Behind The Music rodent pop star scenario in favour of a castaway comedy premise. Jason Lee’s human guardian tries to take the Chipmunks and Chipettes on a cruise ship, but through a series of ridiculous scenarios they all fall into the sea and end up trapped on a desert island with Jenny Slate (the former SNL cast member famous for her on-air F-bomb) as a treasure-obsessed recluse and series villain David Cross, who for some reason wears a bird costume.
The new setting means the Chipmunks do more slapstick than singing, while the three talented human actors are stuck looking befuddled or tripping over their CGI cast-mates. Only Cross is allowed to override the limp screenplay with a few smirk-inducing one-liners.
Alas, the filmmakers make no effort to enhance the Chipmunks’ lacklustre characterization or animation. But with over $800 million in box office receipts so far, no one’s anxious to fix this franchise. Preschool viewers might enjoy the movie, since they seem immune to the Chipmunks’ high-pitched squeaks, but after 20 minutes, everyone else will want to cover their ears to make the pain go away.
