Fun for the youngsters, the newest “Alvin and the Chipmunks: Road Chip” is now available on DVD plus Digital HD. It’s good family fun and features some real hip music to boot. The disc doesn’t stop with the story, it contains some cool special features as well. If you want to keep you children happy on a rainy day, this is one animated film that should be in the stack.
It’s Dave’s turn to whoop it up as he’s found a lady to give his daily routine some new life. Alvin, Simon and Theodore have no idea what this will bring as he introduces Samantha to the boys. She’s loving and pretty so the three chipmunks are open for this new adventure. That is until they find out she has a son Miles who wants no part of Dave’s fury charges. In fact he’s already picking on them.
Dave has an opportunity in Miami and the boys are excited for a trip to South Florida. However, Dave chooses Samantha for his companion and the boys find out he will be asking her to marry him. The boys get a little apprehensive when they are told that Miles will be staying with the three until they get back. Cornered with Miles who has become their arch rival, the boys decide to take a road trip to Miami.
The fun never stops as Miles joins Alvin, Simon and Theodore for the wacky trip where problems arise at every turn. It’s a lot of fun for the youngsters and fans of the Chipmunks. The silliness abounds as they cause trouble on an airplane and find themselves hitchhiking from Texas while in the meantime bonding with Miles.
The music is upbeat and fun and should have the over 3 to 12 year-olds dancing to songs like “Juicy Wiggle”, “South Side”, “Iko Iko”, and “Home”.
The DVD has some very good extras:
“Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Story So Far” it’s a five minute reflection on the beginning of Dave and the Chipmunks relationship to date. It includes bits of Alvin and the Chipmunks, The Squeakquel and Chipwrecked. You may want to play it for the kids before they watch “Road Chip”.
“Ultimate Play List” includes Music Machine, Music Videos with optional sing-along, and Lyric Videos.
“Bound for Georgia” a making of Road Chip
“Road Chippin Through Georgia” abouts sets, locations and the crews
Alvin and the Chipmunks: Road Chip has been rated PG for some mild rude humor. There is a scene where the air marshal drinks moonshine and gets drunk.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A very good film for kids that will not grow old. (B+)
Specifications and additional video information:
Cast: Jason Lee, Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler, Jesse McCartney, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Josh Green, Anna Faris, Christina Applegate, John Waters, Tony Hale, and Bella Thorne
Directed by: Walt Becker
MPAA Rating: PG for some mild rude humor
Genre: Family, Kids, Comedy, Animation
Running Time: 1 hr. 26 min.
Original Theatrical Release Date: December 18, 2016
Video Release Date: March 15, 2016
Language: English (changeable to Spanish or French)
Reviewed Format: DVD
Audio: English Dolby Digital and Descriptive Audio 5.1
Video: Widescreen 1.85:1, Full 16×9
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, French
Number of Discs: 1 Disc, Plus Digital HD download code
Distributed by: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
