Alvin and the Chipmunks (2007)

Director:

Tim Hill

Writers (WGA):

Jon Vitti (screenplay) and
Will McRobb (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

14 December 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Family | Fantasy | Music

Tagline:

Here comes trouble.

Plot:

A struggling songwriter named Dave Seville finds success when he comes across a trio of singing chipmunks: mischievous leader Alvin, brainy Simon, and chubby, impressionable Theodore.

Plot Keywords:

Chipmunk | Songwriter | Pineapple | Champagne | Wine

Awards:

2 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Jason Lee	...	Dave
David Cross	...	Ian
Cameron Richardson	...	Claire
Jane Lynch	...	Gail
Justin Long	...	Alvin (voice)
Matthew Gray Gubler	...	Simon (voice)
Jesse McCartney	...	Theodore (voice)
Allison Karman	...	Female Intern #1
Tiara Parker	...	Female Intern #2
Kira Verrastro	...	Female Intern #3
Veronica Alicino	...	Amy
Beth Riesgraf	...	Mother in Store
Adriane Lenox	...	Vet
Don Tiffany	...	Engineer
Lorne Green	...	Director

Also Known As:

Alvin et les Chipmunks (Belgium: French title) (Canada: French title) (France) [fr]
Элвин и бурундуки (Russia) [ru]
Alvin és a mókusok (Hungary) [hu]
Alvin Superstar (Italy) [it]
Alvin a Chipmunkové (Czech Republic) [cs]
Alvin a Chipmunkovia (Slovakia) [sk]
Alvin e os Esquilos (Brazil) [pt]
Alvin ja koopaoravad (Estonia) [et]
Alvin ja pikkuoravat (Finland) [fi]
Alvin och gänget (Sweden) [sv]
Alvin og de frække jordegern (Denmark) [da]
Alvin og gjengen (Norway) [no]
Alvin und die Chipmunks (Germany) [de]
Alvin ve sincaplar (Turkey: Turkish title) [tr]
Alvin y las ardillas (Argentina) [es]
Alvin y las ardillitas (Venezuela) [es]
Arubin - Utau shimarisu 3 kyôdai (Japan) [ja]
I Alvin kai i parea tou (Greece) [el]

MPAA:

Rated PG for some mild rude humor.

Runtime:

92 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

USA:PG (certificate #43659) | Ireland:G | Singapore:PG | South Korea:All | Malaysia:U | UK:U | Switzerland:0 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:0 (canton of Vaud) | Germany:o.Al. | Portugal:M/4 | Argentina:Atp | Philippines:G (MTRCB) | Sweden:Btl | New Zealand:G | Australia:G | Brazil:Livre | Finland:K-3 | Denmark:A | Norway:A | Canada:G (all jurisdictions) | Hong Kong:I | France:U | Iceland:L

Filming Locations:

Canoga Park, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Fox 2000 Pictures

Trivia:

Justin Long (the voice of Alvin) went hoarse frequently during the recording sessions due to the fact they had to pitch up each sentence of dialog so that the voice altering methods would sound more natural.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Dave is discovering the chipmunks, the bowl in the middle (while upside down) changes position between camera shots.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Alvin (singing voice), Simon (singing voice), Theodore (singing voice): [a capella] Where is the moment we needed the most/You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost/They tell me your blue skies fade to gray/They tell me your passion's gone away/And I don't need no carryin' on/Cause you had a bad day/You're taking one down/You sing a sad song just to turn it around/You say you don't know/You tell me don't lie/You work at a smile and you go for a ride/You had a bad day/You've seen what you like/And how does it feel for one more time/You had a bad day/You had a bad day/
Alvin: [pushing the last of the acorns into the tree] It's going, It's going.
[gets sucked in and falls out with all of the acorns]
Simon: And it's gone.
Alvin: [from inside the tree] Whatever!
Theodore: Maybe we should take a break.
[an acorn hits him on the head]
Theodore: Ouch!
Alvin: That's it! I can't take this anymore! I can't! I give up! I'm sick of struggling for survival! Competing with gophers and earthworms, and that loser sparrow who always takes my nuts! And I'm especially sick of this stupid, stupid...*tree!*
[...]

Movie Connections:

References Die Hard (1988)

Soundtrack:

How We Roll

After 50 years Alvin still has it

(Synopsis) Three chipmunk brothers, Alvin, Simon, and Theodore are living their lives in the forest storing nuts away for the winter when one day their tree is cut down and carried off into the city to become a Christmas tree. They must find a new home and they end up at Dave's house. The only thing that makes them different is that they can talk and even sing. Dave Seville (Jason Lee) is a struggling song writer who has a great idea about making the chipmunks a new show act, singing his songs. The only thing is that you must remember is that they are chipmunks and they act like chipmunks by tearing up Dave's house and interrupting his love life. However, they also begin to bond as a family with Dave becoming like a Dad. The chipmunks become a big hit and superstars with cute voices and fancy dance moves. The record company executive Ian (David Cross) sees big money in his future and takes over the act and pushes Dave to the side. Dave must try to save his little family before they becomes a show biz disaster.

(My Comment) I enjoyed this movie because it brought back good memories. I can't believe that their first song was recorded 50 years ago. They have that certain sound that just makes you smile when you hear them. You recognize their sound immediately. The animated characters of Alvin, Simon, and Theodore are lovable now as they were 50 years ago. I always liked it when Dave would scream the name of "Aaaaalviiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnn!!!" and Alvin would say "OooooK!!!" Those two words just make you smile. Children of all ages can see this movie without any problem. I am sure that all the parents will like it, and I know your child will, because it is a fun movie. (20th Century Fox, Run Time 1:30, Rated PG) (8/10)