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Alvin and the Chipmunks — a Family Affair (with Giveaway)

December 12, 2011 by Jennifer Donovan

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

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Especially at this time of year, it’s easy to remember how far back Alvin and the Chipmunks go. “The Christmas Song” first debuted in 1958, and was actually the beginning of it all. Ross Bagdasarian was the original Dave Seville in the Alvin and the Chipmunks franchise, which first started with that song (after he first used the high chirpy voices in the “Witch Doctor” song).

His son, Ross Bagdasarian, Jr., has been running the Alvin franchise and trying to honor his Dad’s vision, since 1978. And it’s even more of a family affair, because his wife Janice Karman is not only is partner in life, but in this business.

I had the opportunity to talk with Janice and Ross, and I appreciated their commitment to making family movies. In fact, he said that when his dad first started making Alvin cartoons in 1961, there was a lot of that cartoon violence (“hurt animation”), and even then his dad purposed not to do that and make sure that Alvin wasn’t “mean-spirited.”

Chipwrecked is the 3rd in this type of Alvin movies, and I’m happy that it’s still family fun. I remember judging a book by its cover (or more accurately judging a movie by its poster) when the first Alvin and the Chipmunks movie came out, and I was little put-off by the gangster look (which is still a theme in the posters, though not in the movies).

In fact, not only are they not bad rebels as they might seem, Karman said that they make a concerted effort to get across the fact that Alvin mostly means well. He’s just in for a good time and often gets carried away. She doesn’t want him to cross that line to brattiness. Don’t we all know an Alvin-type kid? Either under our roof or in our circle of friends?

Once I saw them, I liked the first 2 movies and I like Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked as well. I appreciate that these movies have a great plot in the midst of kid-friendly humor and music.

The music is one thing that sets Alvin and the Chipmunks apart, and in Chipwrecked the music is better than ever. The songs are integrated into the plot so that it translates like a real musical. It’s like a squeaky clean Glee (pun completely and unapologetically intended!). We’ve been jamming out to the Chipwrecked Soundtrack, which includes some bonus tracks not included in the movie.

Whereas so many other movies bow to the temptation to get that PG rating that will presumably draw in more kids, Chipwrecked is rated G and fun for the whole family. There are nods to popular culture and movies that will add a layer of humor for adults and older kids, but they are in no way inappropriate for kids.

Movie synopsis: The vacationing Chipmunks and Chipettes are turning a luxury cruise liner into their personal playground, until they become ‘chipwrecked’ on a remote island. As the ‘Munks and Chipettes scheme to find their way home, they accidentally discover their new turf is not as deserted as it seems. Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked is in theaters nationwide December 16th.

We have a fun giveaway for one of you (US shipping addresses only). Leave a comment if you’d like to win. We’ll announce the winner in our Around the Blogosphere column on December 25.

  • Copies of the first 2 Alvin and the Chipmunks movies on DVD
  • a $25 Fandango gift card

 

*Twentieth Century Fox provided me with an all-expenses trip to L.A. to learn more about some of their holiday releases. My opinions — as always — are my own.

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About Jennifer Donovan

Jennifer Donovan has been a part of the 5 Minutes for Mom team since 2007. She writes product reviews, covers events, and manages the 5 Minutes for Books weekly column and website. She lives in Houston and blogs at Snapshot about life with her family.

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65 Comments

  1. Cheryl says

    December 10, 2015 at 8:25 am

    I’d like to win.

    Reply
  2. shelly peterson says

    December 9, 2015 at 12:36 pm

    My grandson loves the Chipmunks. Thanks for the giveaway.

    cshell090869 at aol dot com

    Reply
  3. BusyJulie says

    January 2, 2012 at 6:21 am

    I would love to win!

    Reply
  4. Sarah H says

    January 2, 2012 at 2:11 am

    These are great movies. My girls would love to have these in our movie collection. Thanks for the fun giveaway!

    Reply
  5. Kelly Ann T. says

    January 2, 2012 at 1:51 am

    Looks like another winner, I our whole family loves the Chipmonks.

    Reply
  6. Sus says

    December 23, 2011 at 10:08 pm

    Would love to win. my little one loves Alvin!

    Reply
  7. katklaw777 says

    December 22, 2011 at 12:37 pm

    Thanks for the fun giveaway and have a Happy!

    Reply
  8. Sarah says

    December 21, 2011 at 4:11 am

    I’d love to win! This movie was a ton of fun! Thanks for hosting this great giveaway! 🙂

    Reply
  9. Doris says

    December 20, 2011 at 11:42 pm

    You got to love Alvin and the chipmunks! My kids love them!

    Reply
  10. Karen says

    December 20, 2011 at 7:59 am

    My boys would love this.

    Reply
  11. samantha w says

    December 19, 2011 at 5:56 pm

    my family loves the chipmunks

    Reply
  12. Chris says

    December 18, 2011 at 5:33 pm

    Would love this for my nieces – they’ve always loved the Chipmunks Christmas song.

    Reply
  13. connie black says

    December 18, 2011 at 3:43 pm

    What a fun giveaway! I have always loved the chipmunks!

    Reply
  14. kathleen says

    December 18, 2011 at 7:45 am

    we would love to win Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked!

    Reply
  15. Ashley H. says

    December 17, 2011 at 6:15 pm

    We love the Chipmunks.

    Reply
  16. Jennifer Marie says

    December 17, 2011 at 5:37 pm

    My two boys would adore this movie!

    Reply
  17. Jamie Brigham says

    December 17, 2011 at 3:40 pm

    I would love to win this for my son, he loves the chipmunks,Thank You for the chance

    Reply
  18. Drina M. says

    December 17, 2011 at 12:19 am

    I’d like to win this for my daughter.

    Reply
  19. Chuck says

    December 16, 2011 at 9:52 pm

    Our kids thought these movies were the best!

    Reply
  20. Van says

    December 16, 2011 at 9:50 pm

    Our family really enjoyed these movies, hope the next one is great too.

    Reply
  21. Beth C says

    December 16, 2011 at 6:48 pm

    I’d love to watch the first 2 DVDs and the Gift card would be great! Thanks!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

    Reply
  22. Jessie C. says

    December 16, 2011 at 2:18 pm

    I’d love this prize pack, DDs would be very happy!

    Reply
  23. Mami2jcn says

    December 16, 2011 at 10:15 am

    I’d love to win! This movie looks fun.

    Reply
  24. riTa says

    December 15, 2011 at 9:56 pm

    I’m always looking for new enterteinment for when the grandkids spend the night.
    Great giveaway!

    Reply
  25. tarah rogers says

    December 15, 2011 at 6:03 pm

    My two little boys love the voices of the chipmunks, this would be great to have!

    Reply
  26. tiffany milburn says

    December 15, 2011 at 6:03 pm

    Would love to have this for my 2 kids!

    Reply
  27. janell wagner says

    December 15, 2011 at 6:02 pm

    would love to see this with my grandkids!

    Reply
  28. sarah buki says

    December 15, 2011 at 5:04 pm

    i would love to win this for my boys!

    Reply
  29. Barb says

    December 15, 2011 at 1:14 pm

    My uncle’s name is Alvin. We’ve loved all the movies!

    Reply
  30. Alison S. says

    December 15, 2011 at 1:10 pm

    My 2.5 year old son saw the preview for this movie and loved it. Would love to win it!

    Reply
  31. Garrett says

    December 15, 2011 at 11:58 am

    These look great! Would like to own them, hope we win.

    Reply
  32. Brooklyn D says

    December 15, 2011 at 11:40 am

    My kids love Alvin and the chipmunks!

    Reply
  33. Liz says

    December 15, 2011 at 11:01 am

    Our family cannot afford a trip to the movies right now, so this would be a great treat!

    Reply
  34. Don says

    December 15, 2011 at 5:54 am

    These are some of the funnest movie’s ever.

    Reply
  35. Isabelle says

    December 15, 2011 at 12:03 am

    Ha-ha, love chipmunks.

    Reply
  36. John says

    December 15, 2011 at 12:03 am

    Would like to win.

    Reply
  37. Natalia says

    December 15, 2011 at 12:02 am

    Funny movie, love it!

    Reply
  38. Staci A says

    December 14, 2011 at 9:16 pm

    My son loves the Chipmunks and is so excited that a new one is coming out. Thanks for the chance to enter!

    Reply
  39. Kelley F. says

    December 14, 2011 at 12:07 pm

    My kids love the Chipmunks movies!!!! Would love to win this for them!!!

    Reply
  40. Mandi says

    December 14, 2011 at 10:38 am

    My kiddos and I love the Chipmunks. They have watched the first 2 a billion times and have stuff animals of them all. Would love to take them to see the 3rd!

    Reply
  41. vickie couturier says

    December 14, 2011 at 10:37 am

    Id like to win this for my grandchildren ,they would love it at my house when they visit

    vlbelk(at)hotmail.com

    Reply
  42. June says

    December 14, 2011 at 7:37 am

    Our family loves these movies, they are so funny.

    Reply
  43. Tracy Koenig says

    December 13, 2011 at 7:19 pm

    I love love love the chimpmunks! I would love to take my daughter to see the movie, how exciting!

    Reply
  44. shelly says

    December 13, 2011 at 6:35 pm

    We loved the first two movies! My son would love to see the next one at the theater! Thx for chance.

    Reply
  45. Terra Heck says

    December 13, 2011 at 3:36 pm

    My kids like Alvin and the Chipmunks, and I’d like to win this for them. Thanks.

    Reply
  46. Idaho Jill says

    December 13, 2011 at 2:00 pm

    My daughter would love this – she heard the chipmunks singing lady gaga’s bad romance and thought it was hilarious!

    Reply
  47. LaVonne says

    December 13, 2011 at 12:27 pm

    We liked the first two movies. Thanks for the chance to win.

    Reply
  48. Katie says

    December 13, 2011 at 12:01 pm

    Looks fun, I would love to win!

    Reply
  49. nan says

    December 13, 2011 at 9:05 am

    my son would love this movie
    nannypanpan at gmail.com

    Reply
  50. Melissa P. says

    December 13, 2011 at 6:00 am

    We juat love Alvin and the Chipmunks. I just adore Theodore. lol. Love to win!

    Reply
  51. Nadia says

    December 13, 2011 at 1:45 am

    Can’t wait to watch the movie with my kids!

    Reply
  52. Amber says

    December 12, 2011 at 8:57 pm

    My son would love this! Thanks!

    Reply
  53. deanna says

    December 12, 2011 at 7:17 pm

    fingers crossed. My nephews have been begging me to take them to see this movie.
    xoxoxo

    Reply
  54. Angela E. says

    December 12, 2011 at 6:34 pm

    The chipmunks are the greatest!

    Reply
  55. Dianna says

    December 12, 2011 at 2:54 pm

    We loved the first two chipmunk movies. Looking forward to seeing this one. 🙂

    Reply
  56. Wehaf says

    December 12, 2011 at 2:53 pm

    How fun! Please count me in. 🙂

    Reply
  57. Ashley H. : ) says

    December 12, 2011 at 2:03 pm

    My son and I love alvin and the chipmunks, they are fun and cute movies!!! 🙂

    Reply
  58. Elisabeth says

    December 12, 2011 at 12:54 pm

    This would be a fun movie to see!

    Reply
  59. Jennifer Thomas says

    December 12, 2011 at 11:16 am

    Of course I’d like to win!

    Reply
  60. Christina Gould says

    December 12, 2011 at 11:02 am

    Love Alvin and the Chipmunks. Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply
  61. Jenny says

    December 12, 2011 at 9:38 am

    We would love to try Alvin movies with this one.

    Reply
  62. Van says

    December 12, 2011 at 9:11 am

    We really liked the 1st and 2nd Chipmunk’s movie. This should be great as well, we’ll have to and see it at the theater.

    Reply
  63. Kristie says

    December 12, 2011 at 9:02 am

    Definitely a fun giveaway! My kiddos would love to see the new Chipmunks movie! 🙂

    Reply

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