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.
I’d like to win.
My grandson loves the Chipmunks. Thanks for the giveaway.
cshell090869 at aol dot com
I would love to win!
These are great movies. My girls would love to have these in our movie collection. Thanks for the fun giveaway!
Looks like another winner, I our whole family loves the Chipmonks.
Would love to win. my little one loves Alvin!
Thanks for the fun giveaway and have a Happy!
I’d love to win! This movie was a ton of fun! Thanks for hosting this great giveaway! 🙂
You got to love Alvin and the chipmunks! My kids love them!
My boys would love this.
my family loves the chipmunks
Would love this for my nieces – they’ve always loved the Chipmunks Christmas song.
What a fun giveaway! I have always loved the chipmunks!
we would love to win Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked!
We love the Chipmunks.
My two boys would adore this movie!
I would love to win this for my son, he loves the chipmunks,Thank You for the chance
I’d like to win this for my daughter.
Our kids thought these movies were the best!
Our family really enjoyed these movies, hope the next one is great too.
I’d love to watch the first 2 DVDs and the Gift card would be great! Thanks!
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
I’d love this prize pack, DDs would be very happy!
I’d love to win! This movie looks fun.
I’m always looking for new enterteinment for when the grandkids spend the night.
Great giveaway!
My two little boys love the voices of the chipmunks, this would be great to have!
Would love to have this for my 2 kids!
would love to see this with my grandkids!
i would love to win this for my boys!
My uncle’s name is Alvin. We’ve loved all the movies!
My 2.5 year old son saw the preview for this movie and loved it. Would love to win it!
These look great! Would like to own them, hope we win.
My kids love Alvin and the chipmunks!
Our family cannot afford a trip to the movies right now, so this would be a great treat!
These are some of the funnest movie’s ever.
Ha-ha, love chipmunks.
Would like to win.
Funny movie, love it!
My son loves the Chipmunks and is so excited that a new one is coming out. Thanks for the chance to enter!
My kids love the Chipmunks movies!!!! Would love to win this for them!!!
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!
Id like to win this for my grandchildren ,they would love it at my house when they visit
vlbelk(at)hotmail.com
Our family loves these movies, they are so funny.
I love love love the chimpmunks! I would love to take my daughter to see the movie, how exciting!
We loved the first two movies! My son would love to see the next one at the theater! Thx for chance.
My kids like Alvin and the Chipmunks, and I’d like to win this for them. Thanks.
My daughter would love this – she heard the chipmunks singing lady gaga’s bad romance and thought it was hilarious!
We liked the first two movies. Thanks for the chance to win.
Looks fun, I would love to win!
my son would love this movie
nannypanpan at gmail.com
We juat love Alvin and the Chipmunks. I just adore Theodore. lol. Love to win!
Can’t wait to watch the movie with my kids!
My son would love this! Thanks!
fingers crossed. My nephews have been begging me to take them to see this movie.
xoxoxo
The chipmunks are the greatest!
We loved the first two chipmunk movies. Looking forward to seeing this one. 🙂
How fun! Please count me in. 🙂
My son and I love alvin and the chipmunks, they are fun and cute movies!!! 🙂
This would be a fun movie to see!
Of course I’d like to win!
Love Alvin and the Chipmunks. Thanks for the giveaway!
We would love to try Alvin movies with this one.
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.
Definitely a fun giveaway! My kiddos would love to see the new Chipmunks movie! 🙂