If you’re looking for some G-rated family fun this weekend, ‘Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked’ hits theaters this Friday, December 16th.
“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.”
I was invited to screen the movie in Los Angeles before we interviewed Jason Lee (Dave Seville), director Mike Mitchell, and producers Janice and Ross Bagdasarian earlier this month. This third film focuses on Alvin’s desire to be treated like more of a grown up and Dave’s struggle to give Alvin that extra space and trust to make decisions for himself. The movie has a ton of laughs for every age – some of the adults in the theater were laughing louder than the kids, but it also has those sweet and heartfelt moments, too. Of course the music was a highlight – they did a great job of blending the songs in and making them part of the storytelling. (The end number is fun with a capital F). Without spoiling anything for you, the Chipmunks have a grand adventure and introduce us to one (and a half) new characters. Their journey is one that the whole family can identify with and is entertaining at the same time. Lots of typical Chipmunk-style hijinx, great music, and loads of laughs!
Ross Bagdasarian (the son of the original creator of Alvin and the Chipmunks) and his wife Janice shared with us the ways they try to stay true to Ross Sr.’s vision for Alvin and the gang. They work hard to make Alvin believable as an average ‘kid’, but never bratty and mean-spirited: “We struggle always to make sure that Alvin [voiced by Justin Long] doesn’t cross over that line of being bratty. And sometimes it slips in a little, but it’s important that he never is aware of the consequences. He goes into something thinking that everything’s going to be fine, and then later goes, “Oops. That wasn’t a good idea.” So, that’s the essence of what his father did with Alvin and Dave.”
They also shared why they created the Chipettes (Brittany, Jeanette, and Eleanor) 30 years ago: “When we were doing music, I wanted to cover more girl songs. In having more characters you can do more and you can have more antagonism with the characters. It’s sort of a love/hate relationship with the guys.
And for me, just to be able to get into that girl world and have characters that had personality but weren’t mean girls. “
Take a break from your holiday baking, shopping, and chaos and take the kids out for some fun with Alvin and the Chipmunks!
Follow Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked on Facebook, Twitter, and checkout the trailers here and here!
Images courtesy of 20th Century Fox
