Cute but not cool by any means - Film - Arts - Evening Standard
       

Cute but not cool by any means

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As the Chipmunks screeched their way through a song at the beginning of Tim Hill's film, the groans at the press show were audible. Wrong audience, no doubt.

But Alvin and the Chipmunks puts the creatures in among us humanoids whether we like it or not.

Jason Lee plays a bad songwriter who brings them home in a muffin basket, watches with horror as they trash his place and then decides that they might be just right to cheer up his unsuccessful numbers.

But, alas, wicked impresario David Cross comes along to exploit them to exhaustion with a worldwide tour, and Lee has to sweat to save them.

It's one of those movies where the wretched actors have to pretend to know what's going on as the CG effects take place beside and around them. They do their best. But it's Alvin and co that toddlers will appreciate.

It's an amazing fact that Ross Bagdasarian created them around 50 years ago. Since then they've won five Grammys and the final credits include the covers of all their records.

There will, of course, be a new one now. Good luck to anyone buying it.

Alvin And The Chipmunks
Cert: U

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