The Squeaquel Isn't Equal

On my last Random Tuesday Thoughts, I posted how I was bound and determined to let my kids see Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeaquel. I loaded the kids up one night and took them to the theater, only to be disappointed that the movie had sold out. I tried a couple more times on Tuesday and it seemed their hopes of seeing the movie in the theater were not going to happen. Finally, I was able to buy tickets for the 5 pm showtime. We got there half an hour early and were packed in like cattle to see the film. I'm not sure about other places where this movie is being played, but it's been sold out in our area for almost every showing. I'm not sure if it was due to Christmas break or if the squirrels really are that popular.

I've seen the first Alvin and the Chipmunks movie (on DVD, not the theater) . I don't recall a lot about it but I remember that it was a cute film for the whole family to see. After having seen both, I feel that the second one doesn't even come close to the first in terms of cuteness, funniness, or the Chipmunk-y music.

I'm not a movie critic, but the short synopsis that I got from the film is that Dave is in a mishap so someone else is left to care for the Chipmunks. They must go to school where all sorts of trouble ensues. To help save the music department, the chipmunks agree to take part in a singing competition. The Chipettes make their debut in this movie where they begin their singing career. It isn't until later in the movie when The Chipmunks and Chipettes come together and form a bond.

I've always imagined that Alvin, Simon, and Theodore are of grade school or junior high age, so I was quite surprised to see that their setting for education was high school. Bullies run rampant in this school and I was disturbed to see The Chipmunks go through the taunts and pranks of the high school bullies. One scene I did not care for was when one of The Chipmunks had his head dunked in the toilet and had it flushed on him.

There are the usual gags and stunts such as wedgies, accidental disasters, and falling. The movie had a moral in the end, that family is important and should stick together. But it was hard to sort through all the muck to get the warm fuzzy feeling in the end.

My 2 year old niece went to the movie with us and she was excited to see The Chipmunks on the big screen. She danced when the songs played, but got bored with the movie at the end. Both my boys really liked The Squeaquel and want to own it on DVD. In my opinion, it wasn't worth the big hype or packed theater. I would have been okay with just renting the DVD when it came out. An okay movie to pass the time....yes. Memorable and worth the price of theater tickets.....no.

The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not compensated in any way. Other people's opinions may differ.