Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
CGI critters are silly and sassy but mostly kid-friendly.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 5+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Alvin and the Chipmunks
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 32 parent reviews
Parents say this movie offers a mix of fun entertainment for children, showcasing the antics of the Chipmunks along with catchy music, but it raises concerns about its portrayal of women and messages around consumerism. While many enjoy the humor and view it as a family-friendly experience, others criticize it for sexist stereotypes and inappropriate content, suggesting it may not be suitable for younger audiences.
- fun entertainment
- catchy music
- sexist portrayal
- consumerism issues
- family-friendly concerns
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 107 kid reviews
Kids say the movie is a mix of silliness and inappropriate content, with many viewers expressing that while it's entertaining for younger audiences, it may not resonate well with older kids or adults due to its crude humor and high-pitched voices. Some reviews highlight the positive messages about family and loyalty, although others criticize it for sexualized content and lack of originality compared to the original cartoons.
- silly humor
- family values
- inappropriate content
- mixed age appeal
- nostalgia factor
Summarized with AI
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 the vintage Chipmunks hit "Witch Doctor" and Lipps Inc's "Funkytown" sends shivers of horror down your spine, this may not be 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...
Talk to Your Kids 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.
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 13, 2007
- On DVD or streaming : March 31, 2008
- Cast : David Cross , Jason Lee , Justin Long
- Director : Tim Hill
- Studio : Twentieth Century Fox
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Book Characters , Arts ( Music and Sing-Along )
- Run time : 92 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some mild rude humor.
- Award : Kids' Choice Award
- Last updated : February 2, 2026
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