PLOT:

The story begins in a hill backdrop in a forest during the winter. Three singing chipmunks named Alvin (voiced by Justin Long), Simon (voiced by Matthew Gray Gubler) and Theodore (voiced by Jesse McCartney) are singing Daniel Powter's "Bad Day". Alvin complains about the food storage when he accidentally empties their stock. He then complains about his own tough life to struggle for his survival and even calls their tree a "stupid, stupid tree". Then the tree shakes; Theodore thinks that Alvin has "made the tree angry." However, the tree is chopped down (with the trio in it), netted down to a truck, and driven to Los Angeles to become a Christmas tree. Meanwhile, struggling songwriter David "Dave" Seville (played by Jason Lee), is late for his meeting at JETT Records. Dave submits his song but is rejected by executive Ian Hawke (played by David Cross), who says he hates Dave's latest song. During Dave's meeting, the Chipmunks and the tree wind up in the lobby of JETT records; the trio manages to escape and get into Dave's car via a muffin basket he is carrying. When Dave gets home, he dumps the muffin basket in the garbage can and throws all his music equipment out the door. The Chipmunks set about raiding his cupboards while Dave watches television. When Dave discovers them, there's a scuffle, and Alvin finally causes Dave to lose consciousness by dropping a glass jar onto his head.

When Dave wakes up, he realizes that "squirrels" can talk, but Alvin corrects him that they're chipmunks. Dave then forces them to leave his house after they introduce themselves. Dave hears the Chipmunks singing The Platters' "Only You" (even though, Ringo Starr had the song on his album, "Goodnight Vienna"). After realizing that the trio can also sing, Alvin replies "that's not singing, this is singing", and they sing Lipps, Inc.'s "Funkytown". Enjoying their singing, Dave brings them back inside. Dave proposes a deal: if they sing his songs, they get to stay with him. Alvin then reminds him about his music equipment outside; frantically, Dave runs out in the pouring rain to retrieve the equipment.

Dave puts them to bed in an armchair; whilst the Chipmunks sleep, their snores accumulate into a song, sparking Dave's inspiration. He writes Ross Bagdasarian, Sr.'s The Chipmunk Song. When Dave awakens the next morning, the Chipmunks are trying to catch waffles shot out of the toaster, but when Simon tries to catch one, it drops right in front of him and he doesn't see it. Realizing Simon is nearsighted, Dave finds a tiny pair of round-framed glasses from a decorative Santa and gives them to Simon. With his new glasses, Simon can now see perfectly. The Chipmunks then sing Dave's song successfully.

Dave returns to JETT records and shows Ian his surprise: the three Chipmunks with his jingle in the background. Though the Chipmunks sang the song perfectly earlier, they get stage fright and refuse to sing; Ian thinks Dave is crazy and leaves. In the car ride back to Dave's house, they admit to Dave about their stage fright, and Dave sends them home. When Dave finally gets to his job, he begins presenting his advertising pitch about the "Goodable Energy Bar" commercial, but Simon calls him on his cell-phone: Alvin and Theodore are inside the vacuum cleaner and the house is flooding because Simon doesn't know how to turn off the sink faucet. Dave says he'll deal with the problems later and hangs up; however, when he begins his presentation, he discovers that the Chipmunks have drawn all over his presentation boards. Dave decides to clean out his office, as he knows that he is fired.

Dave is furious when he gets home. As he sits the trio down for a talk (after finding Alvin taking a shower in the dishwasher), Theodore elbows onto the phone's answering machine button. A message plays that reminds Dave that he has a dinner date with his crush, Claire Wilson (played by Cameron Richardson), and she'll be arriving at 7:00. When Dave realizes that it's now 6:30, Simon tells Dave to go get food for the dinner, and he and the others will clean up the house. Much to Dave's surprise, the house is spotless when he gets home from the grocery store, however, he soon realizes that the chipmunks have simply shoved the mess into the refrigerator.

During the dinner, Alvin attempts to "help" by playing music on the CD player, dimming the lights, and making a romantic fire in the fireplace, all to Dave's embarrassment and Claire's confusion. When Claire demands to know what's going on, Dave admits, "My life is being sabotaged by talking Chipmunks." Claire doesn't believe him and leaves, thinking he hasn't changed at all (a conversation earlier in the movie implied that their relationship originally failed due to Dave's immaturity).

The Chipmunks realize that Dave is mad at them and feel guilty; they then get an idea and leave the house. Meanwhile, Dave, completely exasperated with the three, puts together a box with waffles, a plastic water bottle, a blanket, and holes in the lid. He begins to write a letter of apology that their living arrangement is not working out. However, he changes his mind, crumples the letter up, and tosses it on the floor, where it rolls under his bed. Realizing that the chipmunks have left the house, he begins to search for them. Eventually, he gives up and goes to sleep. It is then shown that the chipmunks have taken a Cab to Ian's mansion. After singing Dave's Christmas song, Ian is impressed and responds, "Welcome to Jett Records."

The next day at the supermarket, while Dave and the Chipmunks are shopping, the Chipmunks' song plays on the store radio to Dave's amazement. Dave gets a call for Ian, who gleefully tells Dave that the chipmunk's song--as well as their video on youtube--is a hit. A montage follows, showing the chipmunks' increasing fame.

On Christmas Eve, Theodore tells Dave that he had a nightmare and that he wants to sleep with him. Although Dave tells Theodore that he can only if he stays on the other side of the bed; Theodore curls up on Dave's shoulder and Dave doesn't have the heart to make him leave. The next morning, Alvin and Simon wake up Dave and Theodore and they exchange gifts. Simon gets Dave a paper clip compass that he made, Alvin gets Dave his own wallet, and Theodore gives Dave a moving card with Pineapple-like images of the four as a family. Dave is firm that they are friends and nothing more, however, the Chipmunks continue to insist that Dave is their family. Dave gets the Chipmunks each a $100 savings bond, which they can spend in seven years, much to Alvin's displeasure. Ian bursts in (in his Santa Claus hat and carrying a bag stuffed with presents) and gives the Chipmunks lots of gifts, leading them to calling him Uncle Ian and making Dave's practical gift look bad by comparison.

One week later, Ian throws a launch party for The Chipmunks' new CD. At the party, The Chipmunks perform (where they sing Ross Bagdasarian, Sr.'s second, "Witch Doctor"), and Ian insists to Dave that they should market the boys more to make more money. Concerned for their well-being, Dave insists that The Chipmunks are "kids" and don't need so much craziness in their lives. After warning Dave that he "never loses," Ian tells The Chipmunks that Dave is holding them back and calls them "rats" behind their backs. The next day, Dave and The Chipmunks have an argument; in anger, Dave tells them that if they like "Uncle Ian" so much, they should just go live with him. That night, Theodore discovers the letter Dave wrote following the dinner disaster. The chipmunks believe that Dave meant what he said to them earlier and, saddened, decide to leave Dave and go live with Ian.

Although their life with Ian starts off great (they arrive at his mansion to a room full of expensive toys and the declaration is that the only rule is that there are no rules), after they set out for their coast-to-coast tour, Ian begins to change their image completely and overwork them to the point of exhaustion. A concerned Dave calls and asks to speak to them; Ian refuses, saying that they're too busy. When he gets off the phone with Dave, he lies to The Chipmunks, telling them that Dave said that he was doing great without them. After informing The Chipmunks that he sent Dave a ticket to their concert and Dave sent it back, Ian privately tells his head of security to not allow Dave into the concert for any reason.

Later, Dave sees Julian Reynolds on the news, who talks about the rumors that The Chipmunks are being overworked, however, Ian has assured the press that the boys are doing just fine. Reynolds also talks about how The Chipmunks are about to set out on their global tour, starting with a concert in Los Angeles. Dave realizes that he has to put a stop to this, and sets out to get The Chipmunks back.

Right before the concert is supposed to begin, a doctor says that the Chipmunks can't sing because their voices have given out. Ian doesn't want to hand out refunds and orders The Chipmunks to lip sync(which Simon calls "cheating"). Dave attempts to get into the concert and is helped by Claire, who provides him with her press pass. The Chipmunks begin their performance, and as Dave makes his way to the stage, he is grabbed by security. As he's being dragged away, Dave yells for Alvin. The Chipmunks see Dave being taken away and realize they've been tricked; they decide that they've had enough of Ian, reveal that they were lip-syncing, and run amok, ruining the concert. Dave escapes and makes it backstage, after a scuffle with security, Ian traps the chipmunks and locks them in a cat-carrier. Dave insists to Ian that since the Chipmunks ruined the concert, word will soon get out, and their popularity will decline. Ian however, remains unfazed by this, stating that because they are talking Chipmunks, people will still come.

The detained Chipmunks are left with Ian's luggage, next to a pile of talking Chipmunk dolls, while Ian quickly gets ready to board the plane to take the Chipmunks to Paris for their next concert. Alvin tells Simon to use his brain to think of a way out. Minutes later, Ian grabs the cat carrier, hops into his chauffeured car, and starts to drive off. Dave sets after him, determined to rescue the trio. However, Alvin, Simon, and Theodore stand up on the front passenger seat of his car and egg him on. Dave stops the car after realizing that the real Chipmunks are with him; Simon explains, "We're talking chipmunks, Dave. We can get out of a cat carrier.Not even hard to do it..." After admitting that they really are a family, the four drive home, by Dave letting Alvin steer, Theodore honk the horn, and Simon operate the window wipers. Later on, Ian looks into the carrier and is shocked to find three talking Chipmunk dolls instead of the real Chipmunks.

Later, Claire comes over, and Dave and the Chipmunks have prepared toaster waffles and champagne. Alvin tries to get the cork out of the champagne bottle, but when he succeeds, the cork flies into a glass china set, and all the liquid pours out of the bottle. Dave's patience is tested as he tries his best not to "say it". The spilled champagne then damages the power outlet, causing a blackout. Dave decides to "say it," and lets out his trademark "AAAALLLLVIIIIINNNNN!!" Alvin responds with "Okay!"

During the closing credits, a hopeless Ian is seen attempting to teach three squirrels to sing, but the squirrels do not respond, and Ian is forced down in tears as the credits continue.

REVIEW:

I was a fan of the chipmunks growing up in the 80s. I'm not well schooled on their origins, but from what I know, this film does them justice.

My qualm with this film is with the chipmunk's voices. They are up and coming stars in Hollywood, yet until you read their names in the credits, you would never know its them. Seems like a waste to me. The studio could have just hired Joe Schmo of the street, changed his voice and done that, rather than pay the ridiculous salaries these guys got for the voice overs.

Onto the positive, Jason Lee was inspired casting as Dave. There were times I thought I was actually watching the cartoon. He's spot on for Dave.

Cameron Richardson is a total hottie. Wish she could have gotten more screen time, but this is a family picture, so I'll allow it.

The animation of the chipmunks is superb. They didn't seem out of place the way some CGI objects tend to.

Plot-wise, I think there could have been more time spent on the developing relationship between Dave and the boys, rather than cram it all in as a montage, but that's just my personal preference.

If you were a fan of the cartoon, you won't be disappointed...and of course the most famous of Alvin & the Chipmunks' songs is included ad nausea in the film. lol

5 out of 5 stars

Born on September 11, 1979 Height: 173cm From Baton Rouge, Louisiana, just down the road from another blonde Ranked #52 on the Maxim "Hot 100 of 2005" list. See more @ AskMen.com See her in Entourage Episode 'Dog Day Afternoon', Episode 36 and 'Strange Days', Episode 29 of Season 3 Check out this Beautiful Woman at Daily Motion for her 'Rise Blood Hunter' scene (Warning: NSFW)

She has always been one of my personal favorites, and would love to see more of her. Let's hope she'll be back for more.

Direção: Tim Hill

Roteiro: Jon Vitti, Will McRobb, Chris Viscardi

Elenco: Jason Lee, David Cross, Cameron Richardson

Sabe quando você pega para assistir um filme e passa boa parte dele em um momento "oooooooooooo"? Posi é, esse é o caso de "Alvin e os Esquilos", já que a animação e a vozinha dos esquilos cantores é muito bonitinha e muito bem feita por sinal. Esse filme é uma homenagem aos 50 anos da criação de Ross Bagdasarian, que como diz nos próprios créditos, foi louco o suficiente para criar uma história de esquilos cantores na década de 1950.

O roteiro é bem basicão e é um prato cheio pra molecada e um alivio para os pais, pois as referências ao mundo adulto são bem pequenas, mas mesmo assim tem muito marmanjo e marmanja (se é possível isso) se derretendo pelas gracinhas de Alvin, Simon e Theodore.

Os três simpáticos esquilinhos moram em uma árvore e levam sossegados e cantando suas vidas de roedores. Até que na época de Natal, a árvore é cortada e os três são transportados juntos com ela para o edifício da poderosa gravadora Jett. Lá eles fogem do agora decorado enfeite natalino e caem na cesta do aspirante a músico Dave Seville (interpretado pelo Earl por Jason Lee). Dave concilia seu trabalho com o sonho de se tornar um compositor famoso, mas suas musicas não são comerciais o bastante a após mais uma tentativa fracassada, ele se depara com três esquilos com um talento muito grande para cantar. Após acolher os bichinhos, Dave grava uma música de Natal e no dia seguinte volta a gravadora Jett com os esquilos, mas o resultado é desastroso. Desapontado, Dave retorna ao seu trabalho, mas depois de uma péssima apresentação de um projeto é demitido. Vendo o amigo com a moral lá em baixo, so esquilos decidem ir na casa do produtor da Jett, Ian Hawke e dão um showzinho que agrada em cheio. A partir dai, o grupo Alvin and the Chipmunks se torna o maior sucesso comercial, aparecendo em programas de TV, fazendo shows e conquistando cada vez mais o público.

Os problemas começam quando Ian vê que Dave pode estragar seus planos de faturar muito em cima dos esquilos. Fazendo muita intriga e "comprando" os esquilos com brinquedos e o glamour da fama, Ian consegue com que eles abandonem Dave e sigam o que ele mandar. Feito isso, Ian começa a aproveitar ao máximo o trio, marca um show atrás do outro, gravações de comerciais, aparições públicas e em programas de TV e cansativas gravações em estúdio de novas canções. Com esse ritmo frenético os esquilos vão dando sinal de exaustão, mas Ian não quer saber de outra coisa a não ser faturar e cabe a Dave resgatar os seus "filhos" esquilos, dos olhos gananciosos de Ian.

A atuação de Jason Lee é um pouco controversa, gosto muito do cara, mas ele faz o papel do Earl nesse filme, um pouco dosado, mas é o Earl e esse estereótipo pode ser ruim para a carreira dele. Uma curiosidade é que o número da casa onde Dave mora é 1958, que foi o ano em que Ross Bagdasarian criou a animação.

Ok so let me start with...

It was supposed to be an AWESOME movie.... It won 2 Oscars with another 46 wins & 40 nominations. Am I crazy for not liking it? Maybe I am, or maybe the critics are on something. Give me some of what they have! I am VERY glad I did not see this movie in the theater (I had thought about it). I am a bit disappointed I rented it from Blockbuster and not Redbox because it would have been cheaper.

The movie was very slow. It jumped forward in time without making note of it. At times it had me scratching my head and WORST of all I thought the ending was so stupid.  The cinematography was good I will give the critics that but everything else pretty much blew. I liked the acting. I HATED the score (background music, sounds, etc). The movie gave me a headache.

Speaking of this movie. My husband came home yesterday and told me his co-worker bought There Will Be Blood. He then told me of the conversation that transpired.

 My husband: "did you open it yet?"

His co-worker "No... WHY?

My husband "DON'T, rent it first and then decide if you want to own it".

So it is not just me people. I give the movie 2 stars with a reminder to myself not to watch anymore Academy Award Winners before hearing a review from someone who has seen it first.

Next let's go with...

I saw the cover of this movie and thought "why have I not heard anything about this movie before". Usually that is a bad sign... though I have found a couple of good movies that way. The movie had some really good actors in it. One being Jennifer Connelly, who happens to be one of my husband's favorites because he thinks she is hot, not because of her acting skills (even though he will tell you otherwise). I do not think she is hot but I do like her acting.

The acting was pretty good. The story was ok nothing out of the ordinary. Everything else was alright. This movie was very depressing. After the movie ended I seriously was crying and I was feeling horrible. I was like WTF.  (read: I had no idea why I was crying). I do not know if I would have liked this movie more if I had not been a parent but since I am one I guess I will never know.

Note: I do hope I never have to find out what the parents were going through. I give the movie 3 stars. If you like depressing movies then watch this one.

Usually one saves the best for last but not me...

I was ALWAYS a fan of this T.V. show. I was very excited when I heard the movie was being made and even more so when it came out. I wanted to see it in the theater but never got a chance to, so when it came out on DVD I just HAD rent it. I wanted to buy it but my husband would not "let me" because he was did not have a much faith in the movie as I did. I am very glad he did not "allow" me to purchase it.

I was EXTREMELY disappointed in this movie. I did not like the acting (even though I like the actors), the music was way to trendy (I am not even that old), and a lot of the movie seemed forced (read: they were trying too hard). I think the movie was directed at the tween and teen age groups. I should have paid more attention to the movie poster. The movie was so bad my two children were not even interested in it... Let me take that back and instead say the only parts my kids liked were the singing ones.

I have one friend who LOVED this movie (she happens to be just outside of a teenager).  I think true Alvin and the Chipmunk fans will be just as disappointed as I was. This movie gets 1 star.

David Seville (Jason Lee) is a single guy struggling in the zany world of commercial jingles. After a bad meeting with his boss, played obnoxiously by David Cross, David heads home to mope. Once there he makes a shocking discovery to see three little stowaway chipmunks. These wacky rodents not only talk, but they can dance and sing harmony as good as any backstreet boy.

That night, while trying to sleep off the incredible events of the day, Dave keeps hearing a melody one of the chipmunks were singing earlier. He has a stroke of inspiration and stays up working on a song based on it. The next morning, Dave tells this new house mates the song and wants them to sing it. With no practice, they all start singing the song perfectly. Dave knows he just wrote a hit, and the chipmunks are going to be mega stars!

The film gets increasing worse minute by minute. Now I came into this knowing I wasn't going to see a movie like "No Country for Old Men" or "Se7en." However I expected better then the work of a middle school english student.

If you don't turn the movie off fast enough you'll see the chipmunks put on a concert with funky dancers and back up singers. You'll also witness a crazy custody fight over the rats. Let's not forget a sappy love story between Dave and his ex-girlfriend he still secretly longs to be with.

The movie is bad, bad, bad! My little girl loves it, God bless her. I'll let it slip and chalk it up to the colorful CGI animals (the singing doesn't hurt). The screen writers Jon Vitti, Will McRobb and Chris Viscardi should have their WGA membership's revoked for producing this script. With so many other quality children' movies out there, pass on this one. Alvin and the Chipmunks receives a half of star (and that is generous).

Date e orari delle proiezioni:

• sabato 1 marzo 2008, ore 21:00
• domenica 2 marzo 2008, ore 16:30 e 21:00

Scheda:

• Paese: USA
• Durata: 1h e 30'
• Genere: Fantastico
• Regia: Tim Hill
• Anno: 2007
• Distributore: 20th Century Fox

Trama

David Seville, musicista in ribasso tanto nella vita privata quanto in quella professionale, si vede invadere casa da tre scoiattolini affamati, pasticcioni e innamorati del Natale. Quando però scopre che i piccoli roditori, Alvin, Simon e Theodore, non solo sono in grado di parlare, ma hanno la musica nel sangue, sente che la svolta è vicina. Scrive una canzone per loro e organizza un minispettacolo che porta alla Jett Records, casa discografica che lo ha da poco scaricato. Ma lì gli scoiattoli si rifiutano di esibirsi, generando l'ennesima sconfitta per David.
Quando oramai per lui sembra tutto perduto, Alvin, Simon e Theodore vanno a far visita a Ian Hawk, responsabile dalla Jett, mostrandogli il loro show. Da quel momento arriva il successo e il denaro per tutti. Sedotti dal perfido Ian e dalla notorietà, le tre ministar lasciano David e partono per una tournee sfiancante, della quale ben presto hanno piene le scatole.

Sito ufficiale: http://www.alvinandthechipmunksmovie.com/

Christmas Don't Be Late
(All right you Chipmunks)
(Ready to sing your song)
(I'll say we are)
(Yeah)
(Let's sing it now)
(Okay, Simon)
(Okay)
(Okay, Theodore)
(Okay)
(Okay, Alvin, Alvin, ALVIN)
(OKAY)

Christmas, Christmas time is near
Time for toys and time for cheer
We've been good, but we can't last
Hurry Christmas, hurry fast
Want a plane that loops the loop
Me, I want a hula hoop
We can hardly stand the wait
Please Christmas, don't be late

(Okay fellas get ready)
(That was very good, Simon)
(Naturally)
(Very good Theodore)
(Ahhh)
(Ah, Alvin, you were a little flat, watch it)
(Ah, Alvin, Alvin, ALVIN)
(OKAY)

Want a plane that loops the loop
I still want a hula hoop
We can hardly stand the wait
Please Christmas, don't be late
We can hardly stand the wait
Please Christmas, don't be late

(Very good, boys)
(Let's sing it again)
(Yeah, lets sing it again)
(No, That's enough, lets not overdo it)
(What do you mean overdo it)
(We want to sing it again)
(Now wait a minute, boys)
(Why can't we sing it again)
[chipmunk chatter]
(Alvin, cut that out..Theodore, just a minute)
(Simon will you cut that out? Boys...)

Racconta a grandi linee la storia di tre scoiattoli parlanti che dalle foreste si ritrovano in città e conoscono Dave, un pubblicitario di scarsa passione con il pallino per la musica. I tre scoiattoli cantano da dio e quindi risolvono i problemi finanziari di Dave uscendo per Natale con una hit di sicuro successo.

Ma il produttore non è contento del poco profitto e vorrebbe di più: un tour mondiale e gadgets su Alvin, Simon e Theodor. Quindi lusinga il trio con il paese dei balocchi e loro lasciano Dave per poi ritrovarsi trasformati in animali da soma, con ritmi che i tre roditori non sono in grado di sostenere.

Alla fine fuggono alle responsabilità prese col produttore e tornano da Dave giusto per concludere un "felici e contenti". Valutazione: se vi avanza tempo e soldi guardatelo, carino ma niente di speciale. Non rimarrà certo nella storia del cinema :(

Forse sono troppo duro, ma è un film stupido anche per i bambini: non possono apprezzare la canzone Bad Day (D. Powter) cantata all'inizio, né ricordarsi del cartone animato trasmesso nel 1987. E' passato troppo tempo, suppongo. Curiosità: alla fine del film sono passate tutte le copertine dei dischi legati al soggetto di Alvin & the chipmunks, le prime degli anni '50. Si possono vedere le differenze tra i disegni dei vari anni, molto istruttivo! :D

Per il resto, mi rimane il dubbio di quanto siano alti questi chipmunks parlanti. Nel film hanno un'altezza pseudo-reale di uno scoiattolo, ma nei cartoni animati erano forse alti fino ad un metro e mezzo, più di alcune persone adulte che conosco :P ]]> http://paperhanger.wordpress.com/2008/01/16/alvin-and-the-chipmunks/ Wed, 16 Jan 2008 10:10:50 +0000 Paper_Hanger http://paperhanger.pt-br.wordpress.com/2008/01/16/alvin-and-the-chipmunks/ Jan 16, 2008 by

The film is really a tribute to Ross Bagdasarian Snr - Jnr produced the film - who wrote and was the voice for the chipmunks in the 1961-62 TV Series.

This time around Justine Long, Matthew Gray Gubler & Jesse McCartney are respectively: Alvin, Simon & Theodore. Jason Lee plays their manager Dave. Cameron Richardson plays Claire - Dave's on again off again girlfriend.

It is all very sweat and surprisingly watchable. OK the Chipmunks are computer animated and they have very squeaky voices, but there is something for everyone. There is humour for kids and adults - they don't over do the fart jokes. There is even a mild slapstick chase scene.

It is a bit predicatable: uncle Ian is the exploitative baddy - but you expect that; Dave and the Chipmunks do get back together, and Dave discovers commitment.

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