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Alvin and the Chipmunks

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 0, age appropriate for kids over 5; suggested age 5.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    CGI critters are silly -- but very kid-friendly.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 5 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Dave learns that even chipmunks can become your family. The chipmunks discover that being loved and cared for by Dave is better than being treated like overworked rock stars.

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Dave angrily throws his music equipment out his door. A security guard tries to push Dave out of a concert. Cartoonish, slapsticky scenes involving the chipmunks and Dave (like when a jar falls on Dave's head and he passes out).
  • Sexy stuff:

    Female backup singers and partygoers wear tight, revealing clothes. Dave hugs and kisses Claire.
  • Language:

    Chipmunks make slightly inappropriate remarks, especially Alvin: "You're hot," "You're such a buzz kill," "She wanted you," etc. Ian calls the chipmunks "rats" and tells them to "make love to the camera" during a photo shoot. They also tell Dave his music "sucks."
  • Consumerism:

    Several scenes involve the chipmunks watching SpongeBob SquarePants or eating/heating Van's waffles. Also: Hummer, Porsche, Entertainment Weekly, Spin, Billboard, Apple laptop, Bose speakers, Tobasco sauce, Bob Dylan poster, and various recognizable toys and games.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Nothing notable: A glimpse of adults drinking champagne at the big launch party.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Alvin and the Chipmunks was written by Sandie Angulo Chen

Parents need to know that while this movie is mostly OK for little kids, there's some innuendo and sassy language that children might mimic. Alvin in particular says mildly off-putting remarks like "You're hot" to Dave's date or "She wanted you" to Dave. There's also a fair amount of slapstick/cartoonish violence. But overall, it's a mild kids' flick -- albeit one that's mired in product placement and overcommercialism.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about how the media generally portrays young superstars. Do you think this movie is a realistic look at what life is like for kid stars? What kinds of pressures do they face? Do you think kids in showbiz get to do whatever they want when they aren't working -- like Ian suggested -- or are they kept to a more "normal" routine, like Dave wanted? Kids: Ask your parents if they prefer the movie Chipmunks or either of the older TV versions.
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More on Alvin and the Chipmunks

What’s the Story?

Three chipmunks -- voiced by Justin Long (Alvin), Matthew Gray Gubler (Simon), and Jesse McCartney (Theodore) -- are kicked out of their pine tree home when it's chopped down and shipped to a record label's headquarters as a Christmas tree. They end up sneaking a ride with Dave (Jason Lee), a down-and-out song composer who's none too happy to discover he has new rodent pals. Eventually, of course, the trio starts singing and inspires Dave to write a Christmas song that wows an oily label exec (David Cross). The rest is chipmunk history.

Is It Any Good?

If the thought of high-pitched voices singing a rap version of vintage Chipmunks hit "Witch Doctor" and Lipps Inc's "Funkytown" (among other songs) sends cold shivers of horror down your spine, this may not be the family film for you. But if you and the kids are up for a silly adventure featuring cute, familiar characters, Alvin and the Chipmunks is a safe-if-not-stellar bet this holiday season, especially for the under-10 crowd.

The best part of the story is that kids will see the danger of living like a "rock star" all the time. Too many toys and not enough discipline -- not to mention way too much caffeine and too many late-night concert gigs -- make Alvin, Simon, and Theodore crave Dave's loving discipline. If only real children were as reasonable as fictional chipmunks...

Movie Details

Studio: Twentieth Century Fox, Director: Tim Hill
Run time: 92 minutes
Theatrical release: 12/13/2007, DVD release: 3/31/2008
MPAA Rating: PG for some mild rude humor.

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive consumerism
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    greatt

    Luv it!!!

  2. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title off for age 7 and give it 2.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative message

    Not good for 6 or under

    Don't like the suggestive language and clothing.

  3. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Negative role models

    Good for older kids!

    This movie is awsome. For littler kids, the only thing I am worried about is Alvin. Alvin is a little...er... full of energy. He can sometimes say things that are a little...inapproprite.

  4. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Negative role models

    Good for older kids!

    This movie is awsome. For littler kids, the only thing I am worried about is Alvin. Alvin is a little...er... full of energy. He can sometimes say things that are a little...inapproprite.

  5. I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 3.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive consumerism

    This is a good movie for kids 5+, with the exception of "You're hot," "She wanted you," and "Make love to the camera," but some of them will go over littler kids' heads. There are some funny scenes in the movie, but also there are a lot of cliches. Your younger kids or siblings will probably like the music, but be careful: don't let them get too obsessed with the music, those high rodent-pitched voices get annoying.

  6. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 3.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    Nothing really bad

    the movie was better then i remembered not amazing though. The only real innaproprite things were poop/ butt jokes. And two uses of S*ck.

  7. I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    best for all ages

    this is a great movie

  8. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Utah
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 2.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    Randy humor too old for children under 12

    My husband & I watched it trying to decide if we were going to let our 3 girls (7/01/12) see it. I realize I am in the minority here, stating that it's not appropriate for children under 13. It would be a completely harmless movie, perfect for children, with the exception of 2 or 3 comments. Those include 'You're hot', 'She wanted you', but especially the comment about 'Making love to the camera'. They could have made this movie completely kid-friendly except for those few comments - why were they necessary? Children don't need to hear such inappropriate comments.

  9. I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    a very enjoyable film

    i love this mvoie!! It is very enjoyable. But beyond the cuteniss and fun parts of the film there is some content that may be unsuitable for younger viewers. Such as: Alvin is a bad role model who makes unsuitable coments such as "your hot." "she is daves mate".... ECT. And for vilonce well there are some intense moments but nothing major. i say alvin and the chipmunks is OFF for ages 1-3 IFFY for ages 4-5 and ON for 6 and up.

  10. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Cute, with a few catches.

    It's adorable, though there's lots of drinking and advertising especially Spongebob.

  11. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Wyoming
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    I love it! the original tv show is better, This is pretty good!

  12. I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Hilarious!

    I think this was a very good movie for kids 7+ to see. A very good comedy!

  13. I rate this title on for age 4 and give it 4.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive consumerism
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages

    Fun and loveable chipmunks...with a rocker side!

    a great tale of friendship and is worth seeing a few times. funny and harmless humor!

  14. I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational

    My son loves this movie. It was on cable for a little while and then when they took it off he was sad, he kept asking for Alvin. It's so cute to watch him see the movie, he has even memorized some of the parts. There should be more movies like this one.

  15. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Negative role models
    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    love it

    that was an awesome movie. it was pretty cute and funny. My favorite part is when Dave gets fired, lmao! that was hilarious. i liked witch doctor, that was my favorite chipmunk song.

  16. I rate this title on for age 4 and give it 5.0

    Incredible family comedy!

    One of the best talking animal family movies in the history of movies! No swearing and no sex. Alvin and the Chipmunks is loads of fun for kids and adults.

  17. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Washington
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    TOTALLY ADORABLE!!!!!!

    So cute!!!! My parents loved it, and they are in their late 40's!! (A tip, just watch it, don't analyze it. It's more fun that way!) There is some bad stuff (skimpy outfits), lies, and stuff like singing, "don'tcha wish your girlfriend was hot like me". Also, later in the movie the chipmunks sing typical rap music, that contains iffy lyrics about how "smooth" they are with girls, and stuff like taht. (later in the movie, though, one comments how he doesn't like the new music) Other than that, ENJOY!!!! I heart this movie!!!!!!!!

  18. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 4.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    This is a very cute movie that is clean for the most part. I reccomend it.

  19. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Oregon
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    its okay

    i didnt really like it cause im twelve but for kids that are 10 and under love it and there really isnt any thing bad about this movie exept for a coment ian makes

  20. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    Lives in Illinois
    I rate this title on for age 3 and give it 3.0

    Appropriate...but the skimpy outifts aren't that bad...

    This movie was actually really good. It was stupid and funny; I loved it! Just watch it, and so you know, there are some girls dressed in skimpy outifts.

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