ironhorse_iv
This movie directed by Janice Karman, is one of my favorite guilty movie pleasure. Based off, the classic 1960s animated characters created by Ross Bagdasarian & way better than the recent loosely based live-action adaptation films came to ruin the long latest franchise for most fans; Alvin and the Chipmunks first feature-length animated adventure was not that bad. This movie follows the 1980's NBC show's revenue of the novelty music group to a t. It even introduce us, to the Chipettes, the female musical counterparts of the Chipmucks. Written and voiced mostly by Janice Karman and Ross Bagdasarian Jr, the movie tells the story of the two music groups, the Chipmucks and the Chipettes travelling the world in a hot air balloon race to deliver dolls at certain locations for a brother/sister team of European diamond smugglers, Klaus (Voiced by Anthony De Longis) & Claudia Furschtein (Voiced by Susan Tyrrell), in which, the winners will collect a prize of $100,000. Without spoiling the movie, too much, I found the mixer of author Jules Vernes 1873's novel, 'Around the World in Eighty Days', with the Chipmuck concept very weird and illogical, but somewhat entertaining. Don't get me wrong, the whole idea of diamond smuggling, could have work; only if the movie had a more realistic plot, in which the boys and the girls were smuggling them, during their own musical world tour, travelling place to place on plane. It makes more sense with the time of travel, and how many cities, they have to hit. After all, aren't these boys and girls, like famous singers, at this point, in the series!? Wouldn't some type of media, would had reported, the Chipmunks travelling the world in a hot air balloon? It doesn't make sense for their owner/manager, David Seville (Voiced by Ross Bagdasarian Jr) not to know, about their hot air balloon scheme, way earlier in the film. After all, isn't he, their music manager!? Why is he going to a business trip, without them? Also, how in the hell, did Miss Miller (Voiced by Dody Goodman), not know of the balloon scheme!? Isn't she, the Chipette's guardian? This movie doesn't make sense. Another thing that really bug me, about this smuggling diamonds plot is how Klaus and Claudia believe, this uber-expensive and outdated form of transport, was going to work in a world-wide trip. It's clear, by this movie, that these things are not only, hard to control, but also clearly dangerous. There is no way, these balloons would survived in the hands of children for this long. Nor would they ever find each other. Sorry, Amazonian rescue scene. Also, who in their right mind, give two hot air balloons to untrained children!? In real-life, this plan would fail, very quick; because of child endangerment laws or the fact that the Chipmunks and Chipette are very well-known celebs. They would quickly get catch. No smuggler is willing risk, millions of dollars on a complex plan like this. Unless, it's short distance like the 1972 drug-heist film, 'The Big Score: A Ton of Grass Goes to Pot', with adult hot air ballooners. Another thing that bug me is where did all those dolls come from in the first place? I can accept that in-universe, The Chipmunks and The Chipettes would probably have merchandising, and perhaps Klaus and Claudia, being wealthy, could have bought a bunch of commercially-available/fully-licensed dolls to stuff diamonds in, but that doesn't explain how other people in their smuggling ring across the world also have the same dolls to stuff diamonds in, especially in the timeline in this movie is working it. Maybe, I'm thinking too much of the silly plot and should allow myself, to take it as it is. I would, if the movie wasn't full of negative stereotypes like 'white slavery' Arabs, Gun-shooting Mexicans, and Cannibal South Americans. This movie has a pretty mess view on other people culture, when you think, deep about it. You can also add, the weird sexual tone in, which this movie portray the Chipettes. Lots of shots of them in scantily clothes. Maybe, a little too sexual suggestive. Did we really need that much, panty shots? Despite that, the animation at the time was pretty good. Bagdasarian Productions picked up a lot of the Disney animators who were laid off after a number of Disney films flopped. Still, there were some noticeable inconsistencies with the character designs all throughout the movie. However, there are a few things, where this movie works best at. One is humor and the action. This movie is laugh out funny and intense at moment. Even, as an adult, I can still laugh at some of the jokes and be afraid for their safety. Another thing that I love from this movie is the music. Songs like 'My Mother', 'Off to See the World', 'Wooly Bully' and 'The Girls and Boys of Rock and Roll' can easily be heard in my playlist. I know, a lot of people might have mixed feelings about the squeaky high pitch voicing, but I didn't find them, to be that annoying. The only thing, I found somewhat irritating is some of the characters clichés stereotypical one-dimensional bickering and misbehavior. Overall: if you're not a fan of the Chipmunks music, the over the top action plot alone will not be enough to hook you. If you are, check this movie out. It's a lot better than the newer films, big time. Lots of fun for the whole family.
Max Davison (RockyHexorcist2785)
This was one of the best movies you could find as a child. I lived with The Chipmunk Adventure from 4 years old to 8 years old. The story of this film was: Dave's going on a business trip to Europe and sticks the boys with Miss Miller. While playing an Around the World in 80 Days video game, two villains, Klaus and Claudia (brother and sister), round the Chipmunks and Chipettes into an adventure in which the kids must hot-air-balloon their way across the globe. What they're unaware of is that the "game" is really a diamond-smuggling ring. And when found at the airport by the villains, a chase ensues! And which ends in Klaus and Claudia off to jail and Alvin, Simon, Theodore, Brittany, Jeanette, and Eleanor safe with Dave and Miss Miller. But I am warning you now, this is a musical and quite a damn good one at that. Most people hate musicals, but I am not one of those people, I frigging love musicals like Rocky Horror, Grease, Sound of Music, Cats Don't Dance, and just about anything (except for My Fair Lady). If you see this, share with your kids (if you got any)!
Zombafyed
Like many other reviewers of this film, I am an 80s child. At 21 now, I am still captivated by this extraordinary film. You see animated movies nowadays, and with some exceptions, are usually lacking substance, and clean fun. The Chipmunk Adventure is just plain fun. I, personally, found the chipmunk show boring when I was younger, and I don't remember how I ended up watching this movie. But I am really glad that I did. Not only is it great to keep and watch to remind you of childhood days past, but it is also a great film to keep in your family, and run through generations. I am keeping mine for me, and when my son gets old enough, we can enjoy it together. An adult who has not seen the movie before might find it boring, but if he/she does, then they are too warped by todays conception of what a 'good' animated flick is. There are no REAL celebrity voices, no fancy computer animated effects, just good animation, kick-ass songs, and a really solid, enjoyable storyline. The characters are impossible to forget, and the famous 'Boys/Girls of Rock 'n' Roll' seen has stuck with me for years. I love this movie, and I honestly can't think of why anyone would walk away from this movie disappointed. I give it a perfect score, because it is perfect for what it is.
