 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Alvin and the Chipmunks
- Review Date: March 31, 2008
- PG
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 2007
Common Sense Media says
CGI critters are silly -- but very kid-friendly.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
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.
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...
What families can talk about
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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AGE
I cried! Where are the real Alvin, Simon and Theodore?!
What a disappointment. I saw this with a friend so we could decide whether to take our kids (ages 6 and 7). I should have known with the most recent cartoon redos that this would be more of the same style updating. Crude behavior, sexy dress, and plenty of potty mouthed sexual innuendo to boot. The chipmunks that I remember were mischievous but more in a Dennis the Mennace sort of way. The Chipmonks 2007 are far too Bart Simpson. I'm not sure what movie makers are thinking. A film that is marketed towards kids would do much better at the box office if it really was a kids movie. I have 3 and I won't be buying tickets for them. I am part of several Mom's groups and have shared my opinions with other moms. When someone comes across something great for kids, we all jump at the chance to share the experience with our kids. When we come across something like this Chipmunk movie that is totally inappropriate for anyone in elementary school, we save each other the time and money that would have been wasted by attending.
Listen up Hollywood, You are capable of so much better. Why do you insist on throwing in the trash talk, scantily clad girls, and the sexual behavior? What about that says to you "Hmmm, this is what I want my kids to see"?
We will search for some of the old cartoons of Alvin and the gang and introduce the kids to them the right way. Save your money and spend your time doing something really great with your kids, trust me, this movie will leave you with much explaining to do. Why seek out that kind of headache? Go ice skating or bowling instead.
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AGE
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.
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AGE
The chipmunk fans
I loved the movie.It was so funny and i lovvvvve the chipmunks there the best.
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AGE
GREAT MOVIE! Language : "stupid", and "sucks" are said and the words "Oh my god!" and "Nombre de dios" may offend Christians like me. Violence : Some kids may be worried about Alvin and his friends when they almost get squished in the mall, Lots of slapstick cartoon violence but no blood, gore, or killing.
Sexual Content : Dave flirts with his girlfriend, What parents to realize is that The Chipmunks have always had more "bathroom humor" than sex. Bathroom Humor : Alvin farts in Dave's face, Theodore poops on the couch, The chipmunks write about "The size of Theodore's butt!". Consumerism : Cheese balls, Pringles, Dorito's, Spongebob Squarepants, and Nintendo just to name a few. Scary Scenes : The Witch Doctor song may scare young kids. Upsetting Scenes : Kids may cry when Dave almost smashes Alvin. Nudity : Alvin is shown in the shower but it does NOT however show his private parts. Bad Role Models : The Chipmunks get in a LOT of trouble but it is nothing your kids could imitate. That's right, that is the whole shoop-da-leup. Make sure to rent "Alvin and The Chipmunks" at your local movie store, see ya!
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AGE
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.
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AGE
I was PSYCHED but then was completely let down
I am a big time fan of the Chipmunks but this just sort of ruined it for me. There were many stupid PG jokes in the film and made the Chipmunks look like computer-animated rap idiots. I wish that people would just stop being so lazy and actually draw something by hand once in a while!
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AGE
I was disgusted with the backup singers/ dancers
This was a movie like many ruined by some of the content. The backup singers/dancers were dressed very provocativelyy. I did not appreciate my 11 year old boy being exposed to all the female skin and sexually provocative dancing that they produced. Just because it was in the background did not make it any less offensive. Another example of the media exposing our kids to things we wouldn't. They also included "bubbly" (champagne). Why do our kids need exposed to this? Because Hollywood wants to shape their values. We shouldn't fall for it as parents. Don't become numb by exposure.
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Kid, 12 years old
April 15, 2011
AGE
Very funny but watch the language
Loved this movie since I was 7 and I became a huge Chipmunk fan since I was 7 And I still love this movie! But the language is pretty bad, The word "Sucks" is a terrible word for kids to say, Theodore Poops in one part and Simon eats it, That is the most inappropriate thing I have ever seen but still a good movie!
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AGE
all ages admitted
They could have made this movie a little better. The movie was pretty obvious.
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| Topics: | book characters, music and sing-along |
| Studio: | Twentieth Century Fox |
| Director: | Tim Hill |
| Cast: | David Cross, Jason Lee, Justin Long |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 92 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | December 13, 2007 |
| DVD release date: | March 31, 2008 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | some mild rude humor. |
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