Third 'Chipmunk' Adventure Misses the Boat Yet Again

More singing. More mayhem. And this time not even an island can handle the chipmunks.

How both Alvin and the Chipmunks movies managed to churn out over 200 million dollars each time in exchange for cheesy and excruciating entertainment is downright mindboggling. But of course if two movies soar past that milestone, a third film is assured whether audiences like it or not. That brings us up to date with the latest Alvin adventure given the fitting portmanteau subtitle of Chip-Wrecked. 

If 2009’s Squeakquel wasn’t bad enough, the creative minds behind this franchise decided to combine the words chipmunk and shipwrecked to give said title. This second sequel is unlike the previous two films, leaving the music industry behind for open waters aboard a cruise ship. Dave Seville (Jason Lee), the Chipmunks and the Chipettes are on vacation, but after some seafaring hi-jinx, they find themselves overboard and washed up on a deserted island. Not only do they have to contend without the luxuries of their pop sensation lifestyle, but they also have former producer, Ian (David Cross), on their tail still seeking revenge.

Chip-Wrecked is surprisingly an improvement over the previous two films, mainly getting away from the dealings of the record industry and touring which we’ve already seen twice. A third time with a plot too similar would have been unbearable, but watching the gang survive an island sparks the minimal interest just this once. Director Mike Mitchell helms this third film, doing exactly what he did for Shrek Forever After back in 2010. That’s salvaging a creatively failing franchise that overstayed its welcome. Mitchell does what he can to keep the franchise healthy, but it’s not some turnaround miracle that will make audiences of all ages have new profound interest in the series.

Chip-Wrecked’s plot is awfully simplistic with the keyword is survival for an entire 48 hours on an island posing little to no threats except for an erupting volcano. Along the way, the Chipmunks and the Chipettes meet a resident who’s a little bit off. Of course there’s nothing wrong with talking to balls, unless to trying to be a cliché parody of Tom Hanks and Cast Away. And if that’s not cliché enough, add on some Lord of the Flies references and pop songs littering the story from beginning to end. 

Fans of the Chipmunks and the Chipettes know that singing is a staple of the characters, but you can only take so much of Destiny’s Child or Lady Gaga before you too go island crazy. For family entertainment, it’s not bad, but it’s not great either. But that’s to be expected when bringing these cartoonish characters into real life settings. The blend between cartoon and reality never emerges as a genuine attempt of reinventing a classic.

Even with all of its cheese, Mitchell still tries to shoehorn some Hallmark lesson about growing up and temporary detachment. It’s the typical half-attempted arc usually seen in these live-action and animation hybrids and comes off as totally predictable and self-containing to under a modestly paced hour and a half. Of course to make that work the characters individually have to come off as a product of that lesson, mainly Alvin and Simon. For a good portion of the film, Alvin comes off as childish,  rebellious and a bit of a jerk at times, which starts out annoying, but is subdued later on in the film. It’s difficult to get into the story if you’re not behind your main chipmunk. Simon’s changes in character are even more cliché, already done time and time again and while it gets a lame chuckle here and there, it’s not satisfying enough in the long run.

Chip-Wrecked slightly improves as the film goes on, as the scenes on the cruise ship came off as very fake. Once those rocking creatures hit the island and try to survive, it’s watchable and amusing in the most childish forms. This is an ideal stopping place for Alvin and the Chipmunks, ending the franchise on a much-needed high note instead of declining into even more asinine adventures.            

GRADE: C (5/10)
This review is also available on Blu-Ray.com