Childhood memories are fragile things that require the sort of delicate touch that the Hollwood machine generally lacks, with its emphasis on the bottom line. How else does one account for the fact that Alvin and the Chipmunks 3 is already in development?
Flesh and bone actor Jason Lee appeared alongside the titular CGI critters in the first two Chipmunks movies and will do it again in a third big screen venture. Does it even need saying that this time moviegoers will “get” to see Alvin, Simon, and Theodore in 3D?
Lee broke the news about his involvement with Alvin and the Chipmunks 3 at a press conference to promote his appearance on the show Raising Hope this week. January 2011 will mark the start of filming on the threequel, which could be under the direction of Shrek Forever After helmer Mike Mitchell – a fellow who was responsible for the surprisingly decent superhero family adventure, Sky High (think X-Men: First Class, as done by the Disney Channel).
The titular, musically-inclined rodents – cocky Alvin, nerdy Simon, and fat innocent Theodore – were the creation of Ross Bagdasarian, Sr. back in 1958. Bagdasarian sped up the playback of his own vocals to create the high-pitched intonations of his creations, which ended up releasing a number of hit singles and albums through the 1960s- in addition to inspiring cartoon TV show and movie spinoffs during the 80s and 90s.
Fast forward to the year 2007 as a CGI/live-action Alvin and the Chipmunks movie hits theaters, with Lee starring as David Seville, the critter’s much put-upon manager and father figure. That film was a financial hit and spawned a follow-up bearing the wince-inducing title Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel, which sold lots of tickets at the box office during the 2009 holiday season and introduced the world to the CGI versions of “The Chipettes” (see below).
L to R: Eleanor, Brittany, and Jeanette, a.k.a. "The Chipettes"
We know that movies like Alvin and the Chipmunks, Yogi Bear, or The Smurfs are strictly for the kids and no one who goes to see them expects thought-provoking plot mechanics or Mametian dialogue (as hilarious as that would be). Is it too much to ask for some originality or a kid’s film that offers younger moviegoers a more substantial experience than that which they could get by staring at a shiny pair of keys for an hour and a half?
Pixar films are in general both fun for the little ones and deal with real-life issues that don’t go entirely over their heads either – the same goes for Dreamworks’ best works like How to Train Your Dragon or Kung Fu Panda. Those movies alone make it quite difficult to not be cynical about a project like Alvin and the Chipmunks 3 and dismiss those who defend it for pandering to the under-10 crowd.
"Kids' movie" is not synonymous with junk - case in point.
Production on Alvin and the Chipmunks 3 could finish in time for the film to hit 2D and 3D theaters by Winter 2011. Will you be going to see this one?
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I liked the first movie, but the sqeakuel wasn’t funny to me.
Hopefully the third will redeem themselves
Wonder what the title will be.
“Three Squeeks for Victory!!!” lol… I don’t know.
HAHA good one
…ugh
That’s as corny as it can get.
Probably a play on the word “trilogy”.
This movie has been on the books for a December 2011 release for a long time–as long as it has had an official title: “Chipwrecked” (I kid you not!)
Critics will sneer! Fans will cheer! The much awaited third film is coming out! Chip-wrecked deals a vacation gone wrong,boys and girls romantically noticing each other, and musical selections. Harmless fun! Like the Beach Blanket films! Thease characters have been around since 1958! They are globally loved and are money makers! Much like GODZILLA! They have staying power! Let the cinema dictators go mad,from their squeaky voices! I like this over the horrible remakes anytime!
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Second Squeakuel
I somewhat enjoyed the first film. If it wasn’t for the horribly remixed versions of the songs, then I would have enjoyed it more. I had no interest in the second, and will be skipping the third.
BTW, the Chipetters are f-ing creepy. Putting make-up on animals, and dressing them up like Britney Spears is just wrong.
I f-ing LOVE Britney Spears!
I think she’s alright. Very easy on the eyes, but not so much on the ears. However, that’s not what I’m talking about.
Admit it, you know you love Jeanette.
I have been over all happy with both films. They have stayed true to the characters and stories. If you are looking for something that is Oscar Caliber then you are looking in the wrong place. Movies like Alvin and the Chipmunks, Scooby Doo, and Yogi Bear will never be in that league. They are mindless fun the same way the original cartoons were. I think it is funny that some people take this stuff so serious. If you are taking these movies seriously then you need to go watch a movie with depth and substance. I want neither from these movies. Just mindless fun with 6 rodents that just happen to be able to do… well… everything a normal kid can do. How is that for realism?
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Well as far as kid’s movie’s go this one is alright, i havent watched the cgi movie’s alot but it is defanantly better than some other’s ive scene, i dont really care about how people think about the movie and jump to conclusion’s like “ohh it’s rated G it must be a 5 year old’s movie” or something like that, movie’s of that rating give us a chance to have some childish fun that this world need’s badly, i wouldent be embaressed to go see that movie at the age of 70 id get a good dose of stress reducing (therefore life preserving) endorphine’s
with that said hollywood’s track record with making old cartoon’s into modern CGI blockbuster-ish movie’s isnt very good, i think if it was ross jr directing and proofing the script it would probly be a great movie, but with that other director people keep chating about im kind of afraid to go see it……probly wont stop me though, i guess will know when a trailer come’s out a few months from now, we can then start to judge it on ‘what it is’ and not ‘what it might be’