Alvin and the Chipmunks:

Squeakquel flop

Ruwini Jayawardana

Having successfully made their debut in the 2007 widescreen hit Alvin and the Chipmunks, it is clear that the trio apparently had nothing left to prove. This is evident by the forced humour and overrated scenes in its follow-up Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel.

As scenes unfold Chipmunk fans are left wondering why the producers decided to screen such a poor production in the first place.

The Squeakquel sees Alvin and his brothers: Simon and Theodore, enrolling in high school in spite of their lack of elementary-school education.

Though they are shunned by the ‘cool dudes’ of the school the boys score points with the female population. Realizing their strength, the jocks soon manage to include Alvin in their group.

Simon and Theodore are sadly left to seek console in Dave’s work-averse, videogame-obsessed cousin.

Well worn high school movie clichés are also regurgitated in The Squeakquel in instances like the jocks fearing romantic competition from the chipmunks, the bullying scenes, the instances when Simon and Theodore feel betrayed by Alvin and the entrance of the three attractive female chipmunks which draws more then mere curiosity from their male counterparts.

Enter the villain – David Cross – who takes form of an evil pop mogul. We see him lurking in the shadows after his humiliation seeking an opportunity for revenge when fortune befalls in the shape of three equally musical female equivalents: the Chipettes.

The only bright side of the movie is the introduction of the Chipettes, each who seem to be the female version of the chipmunks.

However the story turns sour when the girls are used as pawns to avenge the chipmunks.

After fierce competition the school finally arranges a competition to judge which group should provide music for their annual high school dance but the Chipettes soon find out that their saviour has big plans for them other than winning the musical contest.

It is a pity that director Betty Thomas even entertained the thought of putting this plot into animation let alone actually engaging in the process. The film not only tarnishes the image of the Chipmunk’s former movie but its overly vibrant setting and ear splitting tune-filled successor is not likely to win applause other than those from the kindergarten audience.

Yet even then it aspires noting more than a passable babysitter for kids.

Even Alvin’s peppy and magnet-for-disaster nature does not lighten the mood. A few reasons that this movie might have drawn crowds must have been the success of Alvin and the Chipmunks and the sequel’s catchy and infectiously hilarious subtitle, The Squeakquel. Other than that it falls into the category as one of those franchises in which the producers hastened to strike while the iron was still hot.