Alvin and the Chipmunks

NEW YORK (CNS) -- Those three familiar animated warblers, Alvin (voiced by Justin Long), Simon (voiced by Matthew Gray Gubler) and Theodore (voiced by Jesse McCartney) return -- this time, in computer-generated imagery -- to sing, dance and even rap in the live-action "Alvin and the Chipmunks" (Fox). Along the way, they also manage to send some messages that parents will appreciate.

When failing advertising executive and would-be composer Dave Seville (Jason Lee) inadvertently brings home three chipmunks who have stowed away in a basket of muffins, he can't get them out of his house fast enough. Discovering that they can not only speak but sing, however, he changes his mind and welcomes them back inside.

His new companions soon inspire Dave to write a Christmas song. They also manage to convince his skeptical friend, hard-bitten music producer Ian (David Cross), to let them record it, with spectacular results.

Realizing, as well, that Dave has never gotten over his relationship with Claire (Cameron Richardson), the ex-girlfriend to whom he could not commit, the chipmunks try to help him reignite their romance.

As they spend time with Dave, the three creatures -- especially nervous, nightmare-prone Theodore -- begin to regard him as a father figure. But the same instinct that led him to distance himself from Claire takes hold again, and he contemplates sending them back to the forest.

Dave's ambivalence leaves the chipmunks vulnerable to Ian's manipulations. And therein lies the conflict for the remainder of the story.

Director Tim Hill's comedy with music is full of enjoyable chaos. But this entertaining film also has a few serious points to make about family solidarity and rule-keeping from which younger viewers should profit if they're attentive.

The film contains some crude and scatological humor. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-II -- adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG -- parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

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Copyright (c) 2007 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops