Movie review: Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked

A new dad gets plenty of firsts. First steps, first words and first joyless, soul-sucking children's movie. This one was mine. I had taken one of the monkeys to see Puss in Boots and we both enjoyed the heck out of that. So it's not like I roll my eyes at all children's films. I loved Megamind, Despicable Me, and anything by Pixar, but we had seen these on DVD, not in the theater. Taking the monkeys to the theater should be a treat for everyone.

This was like those carbon copy '70s Disney movies that bored parents and children alike.

Halfway through though, I was pleasantly surprised to see Jenny Slate show up. She was the Saturday Night Live cast member who got the boot shortly after using the F word on live TV. I was hoping she'd liven the movie up a little by letting loose a stream of obscenities. But no.

David Cross had some funny moments later on. Jenny Slate had some funny moments...umm later on. Jason Lee kept on looking at his watch because he wanted to get to the bank to cash his paycheck. My monkey was doing laps around the theatre but stopped for the climax which featured a volcano exploding, so the film gets credit for that. So if you're an hour late, just walk into the theater anyway.

Wait for the DVD, then wait another six months.

Notes:  They borrowed a plot point from "The Rescuers," and the music was by former Devo member Mark Mothersbaugh.

Also, does anyone else remember the Ralph Bakshi "Mighty Mouse" cartoon from the '80s which featured a parody of Alvin and the Chipmunks called, "Elwain and the Tree Weasels," and their song was "Twitch and Writhe."? I want to see that movie.