Rated G.
Starring Jason Lee, David Cross, Justin Long (voice), Amy Poehler (voice), and Jesse McCartney (voice)
Directed by Mike Mitchell (Shrek Forever After and Sky High)
I’d rather be shipwrecked than to sit through this movie again.
The vacationing Chipmunks and Chipettes are turning a luxury cruise liner into their personal playground, until they become ‘chipwrecked’ on a remote island. As the Chipmunks and Chipettes scheme to find their way home, they accidentally discover their new turf is not as deserted as it seems.
This past Christmas my family and I watched the original Chipmunk Christmas special. It was exactly how I remembered it. It all began with The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late), the hit novelty single written and recorded by Ross Bagdasarian Sr. in 1958 that sold millions and won three Grammy awards. While the song has endured, the live action-CGI Alvin has really been a disappointment.
Chip-Wrecked is highly annoying (for grown-ups) and wildly entertaining (for younger viewers). The problem is that even Jason Lee says “Chipmunks” is not just for kids. So there is a Sarah Palin joke, a Charlie Sheen wisecrack and a Lady GaGa song…come on!
The writers give us tired cruise ship gags, with the rebellious Alvin (Justin Long) wreaking havoc and the Chipettes wiggling their tails in a smackdown against a trio of Jersey Shore-esque female passengers.
Jason Lee and David Cross are usually pretty funny…unfortunately here they are another Chipwrecked disappointment.
After the Squeakquel, my kids didn’t even want to see this one. It’s a “Coaster.”
SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
This one is rated G and should be fine for most younger viewers.
Conversation Starter:
- Why is Dave always screaming “ALVIN!”?
- How do you—as a serious Christ-follower—feel about “following the rules”?
- What are some rules you don’t mind following? What are some rules that you “dislike a lot”?
- What are the benefits of following those rules?
- What are some of the consequences of breaking them?
Read Romans 13:1-5
1 Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. 2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. 3 For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. 4 The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. 5 So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.
- What does Paul tell us is the real benefit to following the rules?
- What are some rules you have difficulty following?
- How can I help you follow those rules?
