Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Peril, cartoon violence in live-action/CGI buddy reboot.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 20 parent reviews
Based on 33 kid reviews
Kids say the movie mixes fun and nostalgia with a host of cameos, but many feel it falls short due to its disjointed plot and questionable character choices, particularly the portrayal of beloved characters. While some found it hilariously entertaining for families and appreciate the humor aimed at both kids and adults, others criticized its reliance on references and the underlying dark themes, suggesting it's not suitable for younger audiences without some parental guidance.
- funny moments
- mixed reviews
- character complaints
- dark themes
- parental guidance needed
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Chip (voiced by John Mulaney) and Dale (Andy Samberg) are childhood friends who grow up to become television stars on their own adventure series called CHIP 'N DALE: RESCUE RANGERS. When Dale sets out on his own with a spinoff show, the gang from the original series breaks up, and Chip and Dale go their separate ways. One day, both chipmunks receive a call from former castmate Monty (Eric Bana), who is hiding out from debt collectors that he's worried are after him. Sure enough, Monty soon disappears, and Chip and Dale are thrown back into their Rescue Ranger lives of sleuthing. They join forces with police detective Ellie (Kiki Layne) and Captain Putty (J.K. Simmons) to uncover a plot involving kidnapping characters, changing their appearance, and shipping them off to film bootleg movies.
Is It Any Good?
This film exploits a clever concept of combining animation and cartoon styles across a range of characters and eras in a detective tale starring humans and CG characters. The inclusion of dozens of past and present Disney characters, properties, and storylines on display in Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers can feel like an advertisement, one giant billboard or trailer. But there's visually a lot on offer here as well as some fun meta-commentary about what we're seeing, like characters and places representative of styles from specific moments in history. This film is for fans of the characters, of Disney, and of the evolving technologies fueling the animation industry, who can all feel like they're in on a big inside joke.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how a film is made with a combination of humans and animated characters, as in Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers. How could you learn more about this filmmaking process?
What other characters and Disney brands did you recognize? Were there references you only understood because you'd seen another movie or show previously?
What lessons do Chip and Dale learn about friendship?
The film spans a range of animation and cartoon styles. How would you describe some of the differences between characters' appearances?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : May 20, 2022
- Cast : Andy Samberg , John Mulaney , KiKi Layne
- Director : Akiva Schaffer
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Disney+
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic , Fairy Tales ) , Animals , Friendship
- Run time : 97 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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