Alvin and his brothers are back and up to their usual hijinks in the sequel to the hit film Alvin and the Chipmunks. This time, they have brought some friends in the form of the Chipettes, a girl chipmunk group that attempts to steal Alvin and the boy's thunder. Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel is a film that more than lives up to the original and delivers an action-packed, hilarious romp with great songs and many laughs.
Yes, the Chipmunks are back and this time they are being forced to attend school as part of Dave's attempt to give them a normal childhood. Being the superstar rock stars that they are, they are met with opposition from the boys and attention from the girls. This of course attracts the wrath of the star football player who up until the Chipmunks' arrival had been the big man on campus. Due to an accident caused by Alvin at the beginning of the film, Dave is injured and so the Chipmunks are left in the care of his cousin, Toby (played by Zachary Levi of TV's Chuck) who is not a very good guardian to the boys at all. This is where the film finds a lot of its comedy as Toby and the Chipmunks constantly screw things up or battle for supremacy. Meanwhile, the Chipmunks are entered in a district wide music competition to help save the music department. This is where the film's main conflict comes from as the Chipmunks are forced to compete against a new group, the Chipettes (voiced by Amy Poehler, Anna Faris, and Christina Applegate), who are under the management of the Chipmunk's old nemesis Ian Hawk (played by David Cross). Ian has been lying to the Chipettes to get them to hate the Chipmunks and want to take them down in the music competition. Of course, things do not go as planned, and the ending is filled with a happy resolution.
I will admit that the idea of talking, singing chipmunks is completely implausible, and Alvin playing on the school football team makes absolutely zero sense and strains the film's credibility just a little. However, on the whole, I think the film delivers exactly what it promises: a fun-filled, song-filled adventure for the whole family. This is what family entertainment is all about. There are moments for everyone from the little toddler to the teenage girl to the older parents who will be there for nostalgia reasons if nothing else. I myself am very familiar with the Chipmunks and remember their old animated TV series from the 80s. Therefore, I have a fondness and affection for this material from the beginning. If that makes me biased, then so be it. This is a film that more than holds up with the original and in some ways is better. The addition of the Chipettes was an inspired choice as they provide a suitable foil for the Chipmunks to spar with. Although this film doesn't have as many musical numbers in it, what it does have is well done and will have you singing along in your seat. If you can overlook the occasional toilet humor and the implausible story threads, you will have a good time at this movie. It's good, clean fun for the whole family and I highly recommend it for families who are looking for something that everyone will enjoy. Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel delivers on every front and will keep the kids laughing and the adults entertained and that is really all we ask for from a family film. Grade: A-
