Alvin, Simon, Theodore and the Chipettes are back in Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked.  Due to their rowdiness, the chipmunks wreak havoc – to themselves. They accidentally got shipwrecked after a huge accident in the cruise. They are marooned in the island of Scilly, where they met a castaway who are about to turn things around.

I was quite hesitant to watch this sequel because I was not able to watch the first and the second one. Although I’m quite familiar with the Chipettes, I thought there will be some plot  points that will not be clear to me. But after watching this film, I found out that the sequel can stand on its own. There was a little introduction about the Chipettes that would make those who were not able to watch the first movie still catch up.

Although it may not be at the same caliber as that of other well loved animated/semi-animated films, it was still able to entertain. There are just silly characters that I hope the producers would bury 10 feet under a dark, murky grave because they are just not necessary in the film. Some of the humor worked, some are just plain corny and creepy. I don’t think putting a psychologically disturbed castaway and a guy who will not take off his chicken suit would teach the kids any lesson at all.

Putting those two characters aside, I felt that Dave, Alvin, the Chipmunks and the Chipettes are better off without any annoying supporting actors. Watching the chipmunks stylize the island is just fun, and their humor worked for me. I must say that Theodore is one ball of cuteness all throughout the movie, well, all of the ‘munks did anyway.

In true blue ‘munk fashion, there are contemporary song and dance numbers that are cute and funny. They used some famous pop hits…and old ones. I personally loved Funky Town and Bad Romance.

Ultimately, you watch this film with the kids. This movie do not have any ambitions to bag an award or to amaze you with a smart plot, rather it is there to celebrate the well loved characters we all know as Alvin, Simon and Theodore. Maybe you can have space in your heart for the Chipettes too. :)

Rating: 2 spotlights

“Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked” opens January 8 from 20^th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros. nationwide.