Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (PG, 2009)
common sense media says
Amusing, silly sequel has a bit more edge than original.
parents & educators say
- 39% say there are positive messages
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakuel is low-key, amusing entertainment for both parents and kids, with a mix of verbal and slapstick humor and only a few crude jokes. With the introduction of girl Chipmunk group The Chipettes comes some flirting and suggestive hip-wiggling (similar to that of sexy starletslike Beyoncé and Shakira), which -- along with the infrequent use of phrases like "junk in the trunk" -- makes this sequel a little edgier than the original. But overall the movie focuses on family, togetherness, and acceptance and deals positively with school and peer pressure. Though the issue of body image comes up (at times, Theodore's weight is called to attention, as is that of his female counterpart, Eleanor), ultimately the message is one of liking yourself for who you are.
Educational value:
Probably the most important lesson here is to avoid peer pressure and believe in yourself and/or your family, but it's not the movie's main focus.
Positive role models:
Alvin isn't an ideal role model, though he does learn his lesson and adjusts his arrogant behavior. None of the adult characters is really very admirable either, but Simon and Theodore continually show good, strong behavior -- they're the ones who emphasize family and call Alvin on his bad conduct. They also re-affirm confidence in personal body image, as well as cleanliness, politeness, and other positive attributes.
Violence & scariness:
Theodore develops a fear of being scooped up by an eagle, and there's some scary eagle imagery, but he eventually overcomes his fear. The movie has a jock bully in the high school scenes (with a couple of toilet "swirly" scenes), and there's an evil talent agent who locks his chipmunk clients in cages (though the scenes are all ultimately meant to be funny). Theodore feels alone and sad when Alvin and Simon argue, but the movie usually ends these moments with a humorous note.
Sexy stuff:
The Chipettes perform their act with some suggestive hip-wiggling. The boy chipmunks and the girl chipmunks all develop crushes on one another, but nothing more than some googly eyes and a bit of mild flirting results (in one scene, Eleanor trips and falls into Theodore's arms). Among the human characters, Toby has a crush on a former schoolmate, but he's too shy to act on it. They hug at the end.
Language:
Use of cruel comments. Some uses of the word "butt," and some "fat" jokes -- like "junk in the trunk." One character calls another one a "big jerk."
Consumerism:
Featured brands/products include Apple computers and iPhones, FedEx, YouTube, and Animal Planet. Characters also spend some time playing Wii (though the movie's attitude toward playing video games is that it's a waste of time).
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
Not applicable.
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Most useful reviews by all members
ironkid21
kid, 13 years old
kid, 13 years old
This was a good movie and better than the second one. My only one problem is that the chipmunks could've been in middle school and not high school. Anyways, the only thing that you should be worried about is one scene Alvin says that their aunt is pole dancing (she really wasn't). It will go other the heads of 7 and younger. 6+
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twiceascutekids
parent of 11 and 13 year old
parent of 11 and 13 year old
Funny family movie - geared more to tweens/teens
This is a good, funny, family movie, but I rated it 6 years and above because much of it will be over a child's head if younger. In fact, this seemed more geared to tweens and teens in my opinion.
The meanness of the talent agent when he locks the chipmunks in cages may upset younger ones, but the scene recovers in humor. Overall, good movie for the family to see.
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ChuckBV
parent of 6 year old
parent of 6 year old
Not great, but not bad
Our daughter just turned 5, and every movie we've seen since she was born (including DVDs) we've seen as a family. I enjoyed this movie, and our daughter did within her limitations. Those limitations are that a feature-length film in one sitting is still a stretch for her, and she scares easier than many kids. At one point the Chipmunk character is threatened with mortal danger from a large predator--a teachable moment about movies and make-believe. Some of the main characters act in less-than-desirable manners during part of the movie, but they and the audience see the error of their ways by the end of the movie. In the end, I'd take the three of us again.
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wayleft
parent of 10 and 12 year old
parent of 10 and 12 year old
Sadly, An Average Film
Common Sense's reviewer, though mostly spot on about lessons learned, disappointed me in not mentioning what has become almost set in stone devices that every kid's movie has to have: someone getting an injury to the groin and at least one meaningless but blatant fart-joke. Why does a movie aimed at six years old have a ground level shot of a man lying on the ground with legs spread wide and a powerful motorcycle running into his crotch? I just don't understand the purpose of Theodore crawling under the covers with Toby and being gassed in his face? Other than appealing to the lcd of both kids and adults, why display such behavior?
The product placements were shameful as well. As far as I'm concerned, I don't care what is in films aimed at adults; do away with censorship and let the market decide. When it comes to kid's movies however, there should either be none allowed (not likely), or require a full disclaimer in all advertising (not likely either). Product placements aimed at children are a perfect example of corporate corruption accepted as an expected everyday event when it should be vilified and condemned. As parents my wife and I teach our kids to be skeptical of all commercials and to recognize product placements as the commercials they are.
All in all, when the description "…Only a few crude jokes…" is given as praise for a film aimed at this age group, I am saddened.
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mikeyonker
adult
adult
The true meaning of CRAP
Watching this film was:
a. painful
b. make you appreciatate the creativity, hard-work, and good film-making for films like Up, Wall-E, Ice-Age, etc.
This was horrible. No redeeming values for anyone. My kids will forget about this in less than 24 hours, and keep talking about good movies like Up. Don't waste your time. Buy a good DVD and stay at home.
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theipodguy
teen, 15 years old
teen, 15 years old
a bit suggestive
in one part, the chipmunk's father calls and asks why his aunt can't come to the phone, and theodore says "she's practicing her pole dancing" and the aunt is in her 60's - 70's
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Mome1
parent of 6 year old
parent of 6 year old
NO A TEACHING TOOL!!!
Our 5 year old saw this movie at school, yes public kindergarten. We were shocked to hear it was to teach them about bulling and teaseing. Yes it taught them how to do it!!!
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Mr Dad
parent
parent
Noisy garbage pretending to be "cute". Ugh!
Hated it! Since when are the Chipmunks in HIGH SCHOOL?! And why? They're chipmunks. Couldn't they be entering school for the first time? Attending a new school and all that goes with that? But high school? Just an excuse for LOUD music and the continued glorification of the 14-17 year old. Sure the "message" is Be Yourself...but the big "laughs", energy and focus go to just the opposite.
After a rowdy "rap" song opening Dave is injured so badly that he ends up in the hospital, in traction....in the first 8 minutes of the film. Then we watch Granny slowly roll backwards down a staircase in a wheelchair--all while looking horrified. My kids were scared. What was the purpose?
Why do the "Chippettes" (clever, huh?) need to be so suggestive? They're cartoons? Is this how far we've come? Girls are singularly "flirty", desperate for attention and in need of a boy for rescue?
Product placements galore, scary images of swooping eagles, references to pole dancing, an unnecessarily loud soundtrack and the celebration of snotty teens--who needs it? I wouldn't waste my children's time or my $ on this kind of junk food.
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perfectionist
teen, 15 years old
teen, 15 years old
okay
Better than the first. But the voices of the chipmunks didn't stop giving me a head ache.
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Prototype79043
teen, 16 years old
teen, 16 years old
PERFECT FAMILY MOVIE
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snowballluver11
kid, 12 years old
kid, 12 years old
8 and up.
I would say the squeakquel it is a great movie!!! But I would have to say 8 and up=.
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Mary Daniels
kid, 11 years old
kid, 11 years old
not for teens not too bratty but kids
love this movie very perfect for little kids : )
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Christian_girl
teen, 17 years old
teen, 17 years old
Kids May Like the 'Munks More But Adults May Like It Too
I haven't seen the first film in a while, so I can't really compare the two movies. For those of you who wanted the comparison, come back after I see it again (if Commonsense still won't let me edit, then check my review for the first movie... once I write it). For those of you who didn't want the comparison anyway, this is the review for you! Let me make it clear, this movie is not people-who-don't-like-rodents repellent. I can't prove it by whether or not I liked it or not because I liked Ratatouille, Flushed Away, and Twilight, all of which have rodents as the main characters. Daddy liked it, so that's proof it's not people-who-don't-like-rodents repellent. Trust me, if you knew him, you'd agree. The Chipmunks fall for the Chipettes, but there's not much inappropriate that I can remember. **IS THIS A SPOILER?** Of course, the guy in the dress was pretty creepy. **WHATEVER IT IS, IT'S OVER** And Alvin does make a remark when he's on the phone with Dave. This movie's plot is kinda predictable but, hey, what kid's film isn't? It doesn't make it any less funny, which is what the movie was shooting for and I was looking for. What are the movie's messages? CSM can explain it better, and more quickly, than I can. So, uh, just scroll up. One more thing. For anyone who may agree with the review below the review below mine about Simon's smarts, I have a couple of things to say. In real life, most smart people don't talk in big words all the time. They're normal people so they normally talk somewhat normal. Also, it's just my opinion, but in kid's movies, the geniuses usually just aren't that funny. Only twice have I seen intelligent characters that were funny enough to stand up to the other characters: The Penguins of Madagascar and this movie. I don't wanna see smart PEOPLE, I wanna see smartELICS. Whoever can make a hilarious TV genius has my respect. You go, Squeakquel!
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nduns
adult
adult
You know what really pains me?
The fact that so many parents chose this, a poorly written, contrived cash grab over a well-written film, aka, The Princess and the Frog, and it's all thanks to this that Disney has changed the title of Rapunzel to Tangled and changed the main characters around while also taking away some of the serious nature it was originally supposed to have. Thanks, parents, thank you for making that happen. Now that the rant's out of the way, I must apologize. I don't normally take my frustration out on the audience as the writing staff play a bigger part in it. It just really saddens me that good companies have thrown away their talent in favor of mind-rotting bulltripe simply because movies like this do better at the box office. This is just showing how sad mankind has gotten. Now what can I say about the Squeakquel? Well, while I did find it a little better than the first one, it's still stupid beyond all belief. I still can't get over how they portray Simon in these movies. In the show, he could actually show us that he was smart. In the movies... okay, he uses big words, but that's about it. Other than that, he makes just as dumb of decisions as everyone else. They also took away everything that could have made Theodore likable as if having a personality would have made him less cute! Here's a message, parents: No sane person who watched these two would possibly think the upcoming Chipmunks 3D will be any good! We know it's only going to be a visual film and not a story-driven one! Pixar is releasing Toy Story 3 around that time! Take your kids to that instead and maybe Disney will be convinced not to cancel their upcoming King of Elves project like they've been rumored to be thinking of.
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lizatcoty
parent of 5 , 8 , 10 , 12 , and 17 year old
parent of 5 , 8 , 10 , 12 , and 17 year old
good for kids 6-9
the music is great. easy for little people to follow the silly story line.
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USMEagles
parent of 7 year old
parent of 7 year old
Our family loves this movie. The only problem I have is the selection of song "All the Single Ladies" by Beyonce. I think there could have been a thousand songs for them to sing. Now my 6 year old wants to hear that song all of the time and has no idea what it means. Would have been better to pick a song that was more age appropriate for little boys and girls.
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TtownPapaBear
parent of 6 and 8 year old
parent of 6 and 8 year old
Not a great movie, but safe for those 10+
I felt there was too much boy/girl stuff for my 4 and 6 year old. I also don't appreciate them using "catchy" little sayings like "shake what your mama gave you" that are just begging kids to repeat long after they have left the theater. Nevermind that the move was awful and not very entertaining.
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