麻豆社

From the director of Garfield 2... Anyone still reading this? Well, welcome to the latest CGI ransacking of the TV archives, this time heralding the return of everyone's favourite shrill-voiced rodents Alvin, Simon and Theodore. The Chipmunks hit the big time with their first single release in 1958, were reincarnated on 1980s kids TV, and now star opposite Jason Lee as mischievous furry crooners who hit the big time with their first single release, this time with a bit more beat-boxing.

When their home becomes a Christmas tree for a record company foyer, the Chipmunks re-home themselves with the unwitting Dave (Lee), a struggling songwriter whose career is on the skids. But when the pests who've ransacked his kitchen start talking, and then singing, a large lightbulb illuminates in Dave's mind - these kids could be popstars. And soon they are, but under the influence of their nefarious producer (Cross) the Chipmunks soon lose sight of good old family values in the face of fame and fortune.

"ADEQUATE YET UNDERWHELMING"

Transposing their story into a modern setting, the Chipmunks become the victims of a fable on modern fame (no Britney-style meltdown here, although technically Chipmunks don't wear knickers either). Dave is their reluctant father figure and saviour, who teaches them (and the audience) that family values are way better than a big house, a Ferrari and a sexy cleaning lady. With such a thin plot, the CGI here is adequate yet underwhelming, and the same can be said for the gags. Alvin And The Chipmunks is inoffensive, lively, and even funny at times, but with smart and good-looking rodents like Ratatouille's Remy gracing the screen, a little bit redundant.

Alvin and the Chipmunks is out in the UK on 21 December 2007.