Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Amusing, silly sequel has a bit more edge than original.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 71 parent reviews
Parents say the sequel to the first film features a charming cast and entertaining music that appeals to family audiences, though it draws mixed opinions regarding some inappropriate content and its overall messages. While many find it a fun and cute film for kids, others express concern over suggestive themes and outdated humor, leading to a divided reception among viewers.
- fun for families
- concerns over content
- cute characters
- mixed reviews
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 114 kid reviews
What's the Story?
After an onstage mishap, Dave (Jason Lee) lands in a Paris hospital, and the Chipmunks wind up under the care of his doofus cousin Toby (Zachary Levi). Going to school for the first time, brothers, Alvin, Simon, and Theodore discover girls, bullies, and peer pressure; Alvin (voiced by Justin Long) is coaxed into joining the football team, which takes him away from his singing duties. Meanwhile, evil talent agent Ian (David Cross) returns -- having discovered all-girl chipmunk singing group The Chipettes -- and uses his same old nasty tactics to catapult the girls into the limelight. Trouble comes when Alvin's first big game falls on the same day as the big school talent show ... and The Chipettes are the main competition.
Is It Any Good?
This "squeakquel" from director Betty Thomas (The Brady Bunch Movie, Dr. Dolittle) is not so much good as it is low-key, amusing, and painless. It has enough funny one-liners and bits of physical humor to entertain both kids and parents (especially if the parents are already Chipmunk fans). Crude humor is kept to a minimum, but Alvin's attempts at teen hipster talk may annoy parents and inspire impressionable kids to imitate him. And the Chipettes' dancing is designed to suggest many of today's pop starlets (Beyonce, Shakira, etc.) with some suggestive hip-wiggling.
But these quibbles come surprisingly infrequently. Overall, the movie doesn't try too hard for viewers' affections (it doesn't jump in your lap like a yapping puppy) and moves with speed and confidence. The songs are fun, the chipmunks are likeable, and the movie seems to have its heart in the right place. It may inspire some giggles and unexpected smiles from the whole family.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about peer pressure. Why did Alvin join the football team, especially when he knew the game would conflict with the talent show? What did he hope to gain? Were the bullies really his friends?
How does the movie approach the subject of body image? Would it be different if the characters dealing with the issue were human instead of chipmunks?
Cousin Toby has spent a lot of time playing and mastering video games, but what good has it done him?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 23, 2009
- On DVD or streaming : March 30, 2010
- Cast : Jason Lee , Justin Long , Matthew Gray Gubler , Zachary Levi
- Director : Betty Thomas
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s)
- Studio : Twentieth Century Fox
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Book Characters , Arts ( Music and Sing-Along )
- Run time : 88 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some mild rude humor
- Award : Kids' Choice Award
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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