The Chipmunks are back in their third CGI adventure. Titled be-musingly with a play on the word shipwrecked, 'Chip-wrecked' instead finds the Chipmunks and Chipettes stranded on a tropical island after going overboard their cruise ship. With a premise that may appeal to younger audiences and provide a fresh story with the characters, the story never progresses beyond the unoriginal low brow humor of its animated main characters, a plague in most recent family entertainment (Smurfs, Zookeeper). Their dancing and high-pitched singing is ever present in the film, but is hardly as appealing as before.
In a season full of quality and fresh family entertainment (Hugo, The Muppets) Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked relies solely on its recognition as a franchise. Families who have seen the previous installments may find the film safe holiday fun and children may delight in seeing the Chipmunks back on the big screen, but to most the film is no better and is as tiresome as before. However to its credit the film doesn't have unnecessary 3D and runs for a paltry 87 minutes, something that may be appealing to families with young kids.
