Alvin and the Chipmunks Wallpaper
The Chipmunks have been a pop-culture phenomenon since Ross Bagdasarian Snr recorded his high-pitched vocals and sped up the playback to create a novelty record. Over the years, they've won five Grammy Awards and seen off rivals like the Nutty Squirrels.
This 2007 CGI/live-action adaptation stars Alvin, Simon and Theodore (voiced by Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler and Jesse McCartney) as three chipmunk brothers who live in a tree. Their tree is cut down and they are transported to Los Angeles, where they get a chance to make their mark on Jett Records by singing songs for the company's chief executive, Ian Hawke (David Cross).
After a series of test-drives, Dave Seville (Jason Lee) finally falls in love with them and decides to let them live with him. Initially, the trio wreak havoc, cause an uproar in his kitchen and get kicked out multiple times, but they gradually win his heart.
As they have in most of their movies, the Chipmunks are portrayed as precocious, mischievous children who rely on the comical antics of their fellow chipmunks to make them feel happy and cared for. This has resulted in a cartoon that's not entirely unsuitable for kids, but it also leaves much of the group's charm behind.
Although the gags are slick and mainstream in style, they're only appropriate for those who find the Chipmunks' precocious sarcasm refreshingly lighthearted. It's a shame the Chipmunks have been given the smart-alecky treatment to fit contemporary family entertainment trends, rather than being given a fresh voice and personality.