The Chipmunk Adventure
{{short description|1987 animated film by Janice Karman}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2019}}
{{Infobox film
| name = The Chipmunk Adventure
| image = Chipmunkadventure1987.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = Janice Karman
| producer = Ross Bagdasarian
| writer = {{Plainlist|
- Janice Karman
- Ross Bagdasarian
}}
| starring = {{Plainlist|
- The Chipmunks
- The Chipettes
}}
| music = Randy Edelman
| editing = Tony Mizgalski
| studio = Bagdasarian Productions
| distributor = The Samuel Goldwyn Company
| released = {{Film date|1987|5|22}}
| runtime = 78 minutes
| country = United States
| language = English
| based_on = {{based on|Alvin and the Chipmunks||Ross Bagdasarian Sr.
Alvin and the Chipmunks||Ross Bagdasarian Jr.
Janice Karman}}
}}
The Chipmunk Adventure is a 1987 American animated musical-adventure comedy film based on the Saturday-morning cartoon series Alvin and the Chipmunks and the Alvin and the Chipmunks virtual band and media franchise created by Ross Bagdasarian Sr..{{cite book |last1=Lenburg |first1=Jeff |title=The Encyclopedia of Animated Cartoons |date=1999 |publisher=Checkmark Books |isbn=0-8160-3831-7 |access-date=6 June 2020 |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780816038312/page/173/mode/2up |page=173}} The film was directed by Janice Karman and written by Karman and Ross Bagdasarian Jr.. As the events of the film take place between the fourth and fifth seasons of Alvin and the Chipmunks, the plot follows the Chipmunks and the Chipettes as they go on a hot air balloon race around the world while their guardian David Seville is out on a trip, not knowing that it is a cover for a diamond smuggling ring. The chipmunks travel through a series of adventures in different countries while being hunted down by the diamond smugglers, Claudia and Klaus Furschtein.
After the success of the Alvin and the Chipmunks television series on NBC, several companies had been interested in financing an Alvin and the Chipmunks film. Bagdasarian Jr. and Karman decided to finance the movie themselves. Animators from The Black Cauldron (1985) worked on the film after its box-office flop caused many animators to get laid off from Walt Disney Pictures. The animation was provided overseas to several regions such as Utah and Canada. Randy Edelman composed the music after he was visited by Bagdasarian Jr. in London. Production of the film lasted for a year to be completed.
The Chipmunk Adventure was released on May 22, 1987, and grossed $6.8 million at the box office, making it a moderate box-office success. The film initially received mixed reviews from critics. Most critics praised the animation, visuals, and soundtrack, but the plot and voices of the Chipmunks and Chipettes were polarizing. The film's reliance on racial stereotyping was also criticized. Retrospective reviews of the film became more positive. It was the Chipmunks' first theatrical film; the franchise's second film, Alvin and the Chipmunks, was released on December 14, 2007.
Plot<!-- Per WP:FILMPLOT, plot summaries for feature films should be between 400 to 700 words. -->
When Dave Seville goes to Europe on a business trip, the Chipmunks—Alvin, Simon, and Theodore—are left home in Los Angeles with their babysitter, Miss Miller. Later, the Chipmunks and Chipettes—Brittany, Jeanette, and Eleanor—play an arcade game Around the World in 30 Days, and Alvin and Brittany argue over which would win an actual race around the world after Brittany wins the game. They are overheard by international diamond-smuggling siblings Klaus and Claudia Furschtein, who have $5 million worth of diamonds to distribute to buyers but no couriers who are unknown to their nemesis, Jamal. Claudia tricks the children into being unwitting mules, offering to arrange a real race around the world between the Chipmunks and Chipettes for a $100,000 prize. To participate, Alvin records a phone call to Dave and edits it to trick Ms. Miller into believing that Dave wants the Chipmunks to meet him in Europe.
The two teams set off by hot air balloon, each given a different route and twelve dolls made in their likenesses, which they are to exchange at designated locations for dolls in the likenesses of the other team to confirm they visited the locations. Unbeknownst to them, their dolls are filled with diamonds, and those they are receiving contain cash. The Furschteins' butler, Mario, is secretly an informant for Jamal, who dispatches two of his men to acquire the dolls. The Chipmunks' first stop is Mexico City, where they join in a fiesta. In Bermuda, the Chipettes scuba dive to make their first exchange in the sunken ship and Brittany is almost eaten by a great white shark. The teams continue their journeys, exchanging their dolls in various countries along the way. Jamal's men tail them, but fail to get the dolls due to various mishaps. The teams cross paths in Athens, where they try to outperform one another in a musical number at the Acropolis and are almost spotted by Dave.
Frustrated by his men's failures, Jamal enlists the aid of a young sheikh who has his mercenaries capture the Chipettes in Giza. Rather than turn them over to Jamal, the prince desires instead to keep the girls and marry Brittany, and gifts her a baby penguin. The girls perform a song to charm the cobras guarding their dolls, escape in their balloon, and detour to Antarctica to return the baby penguin to its family. Learning that they have deviated from their route, Claudia sends her thugs after them. The girls escape, but discover the diamonds and cash inside the dolls, realize they have been deceived and set out to find the boys.
Meanwhile, the Chipmunks take a shortcut through a jungle, where they are captured by a native tribe who name Theodore their "Prince of Plenty" and force Alvin and Simon to be his slaves. They soon learn that Theodore and soon them are to be sacrificed by being dropped into a pit of crocodiles on a full moon. By performing the song "Wooly Bully" to entertain the natives, they stall their execution and are rescued by the Chipettes.
Claudia discovers Mario passing information to Jamal, who is revealed to be an Interpol Inspector. The children land at Los Angeles International Airport at the same time as Dave's returning flight, and are chased by the Furschteins, who get them to surrender by lying that they have kidnapped Ms. Miller. Dave sees them being taken away in the Furschteins' car, and joins Jamal in pursuit. Ms. Miller is absentmindedly driving the wrong way on a one-way street on her way to pick up Dave, and accidentally runs the Furschteins off the road. They are arrested by Jamal, and the children are reunited with Dave. Alvin and Brittany argue over who won the race, much to the adults' frustration.
Voice cast
- Ross Bagdasarian Jr. as Alvin, Simon, and David Seville
- Janice Karman as Theodore Seville, Brittany, Jeanette and Eleanor Miller
- Dody Goodman as Miss Miller
- Susan Tyrrell as Claudia Furschtein
- Anthony De Longis as Klaus Furschtein
- Frank Welker as Sophie, Baby Penguin, Native Chief, and additional voices
- Ken Sansom as Inspector Jamal
- Nancy Cartwright as the Arabian prince
Production
= Origin and development =
After the success of the animated cartoon series on NBC, several studios were interested in financing the movie based on Alvin and the Chipmunks.{{Cite web |title=The Agony and The Agony: The Making of The Chipmunk Adventure |url=http://www.chipmunks.com/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130726084620/http://www.chipmunks.com/ |archive-date=July 26, 2013 |access-date=May 22, 2023 |website=Alvin and the Chipmunks}} The idea originated while Ross Bagdasarian, Jr. and Janice Karman built successful doghouses. Although Janice disliked the idea of creating and financing the movie themselves, they shortly found the film's director. The unknown director created story sketches that set the tone of the film. Two months after production started, the unknown director was replaced by Karman, who was pregnant with her first child at the time.{{Cite web |last=Nydell |first=Tim |date=May 31, 2022 |title=Janice Karman podcast interview |url=http://www.saturdaymorningrewind.com/janice-karman-podcast-interview.html |access-date=June 9, 2023 |website=Saturday Morning Rewind}}{{Cite news |last=Kuklenski |first=Valerie |date=July 3, 2006 |title=Oo ee oo ah ah! The Chipmunks are back with a bang |work=The Sacramento Bee |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/649417792/?terms=the%20chipmunk%20adventure&match=1 |access-date=July 6, 2023}} Karman was initially reluctant about being a director of the film.
= Animation =
The box-office failure of Disney's The Black Cauldron in 1985 had led to the layoff of a number of Walt Disney Productions animators (such as Glen Keane, Dan Haskett and Dave Pruiksma), whom Bagdasarian promptly hired to work on the film.
After returning the first part of the film to the overseas animation productions, Bagdasarian, Jr. and Karman only received six seconds of animation several months later and five minutes of animation a year later. It was due to the animators suffering from "sore hands." As a result, they hired another 150 animators to finish the film. Within nine months before the film's release, they sent animation to Canada, New York, Utah, Spain, and South Korea. Several parts that were difficult to animate or not close enough to be completed were cut from the script. Locations cut in the film include a zoo and Russia.
= Music =
{{Infobox album
| name = The Chipmunk Adventure: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
| type = Soundtrack
| artist = the Chipmunks and the Chipettes
| cover =
| alt =
| released = 1987
| recorded =
| studio =
| genre = {{hlist|Pop{{cite book |last=Herx |first=Henry |title=The Family Guide to Movies on Video |publisher=The Crossroad Publishing Company |year=1988 |isbn=0-8245-0816-5 |page=54 (pre-release version) |chapter=The Chipmunk Adventure}}{{Cite news |date=November 13, 1987 |title=Major Releases |pages=131 |work=Fort Worth Star-Telegram |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/640469919/?terms=the%20chipmunk%20adventure&match=1 |access-date=July 6, 2023}}|rock{{Cite news |last=Burliuk |first=Greg |date=November 13, 1987 |title=Playtime for kids, adults has lost all its old charm |pages=9 |work=The Kingston Whig-Standard |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/731866337/?terms=the%20chipmunk%20adventure&match=1 |access-date=July 6, 2023}}|children's music}}
| length =
| label = Buena Vista Records
| producer = Ross Bagdasarian, Jr.
Janice Karman
| chronology = The Chipmunks and the Chipettes
| prev_title = Songs from Our TV Shows
| prev_year = 1984
| next_title = The Chipmunks and the Chipettes: Born to Rock
| next_year = 1988
}}
Before the film's release, Bagdasarian, Jr. visited London to hire composer Randy Edelman and the London Philharmonic Orchestra to score the film. The soundtrack of The Chipmunk Adventure was performed by the Chipmunks and the Chipettes and includes a mix of original tunes and covers. Several songs throughout the film were performed by both the Chipmunks and the Chipettes. The soundtrack was originally done as a promotional tie-in to the film.{{Cite news |last=Thompson |first=Anne |date=March 8, 1987 |title=Animated films draw big crowds: 'An American Tail' sets record for earnings |pages=206 |work=Santa Ana Orange County Register |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/california/santa-ana/santa-ana-orange-county-register/1987/03-08/page-206/ |access-date=July 2, 2023}} The soundtrack was originally released by Buena Vista Records.{{Cite news |date=April 4, 1987 |title=Disneyland/Vista Set For Chipmunk Launch |pages=25 |work=Cash Box |url=https://archive.org/details/cashbox50unse_34/page/24/mode/2up?q=the+chipmunk+adventure |access-date=February 18, 2023}} On March 17, 1998, the soundtrack was released on CD by MCA Records.{{Cite news |date=April 3, 1998 |title=Stay In: Kid Videos |pages=30 |work=The Leaf-Chronicle |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/467691092/?terms=the%20chipmunk%20adventure&match=1 |access-date=July 6, 2023}}{{Cite news |date=April 6, 1998 |title=Video/Software |pages=117 |work=The South Bend Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/518805381/?terms=the%20chipmunk%20adventure&match=1 |access-date=July 6, 2023}} The CD was a bonus included on the VHS re-release of the film by Universal Studios Home Video. On April 1, 2008, the soundtrack was re-released on CD as a bonus of the film's special edition DVD re-release.
== Track listing ==
{{track listing
| headline = Side one
| extra_column = Performer(s)
| title1 = Chipmunk Adventure Theme
| writer1 = Randy Edelman
| extra1 = London Philharmonic Orchestra
| title2 = I, Yi, Yi, Yi, Yi/Cuanto le Gusta
| writer2 = {{hlist|Mack Gordon|Harry Warren|Gabriel Ruiz|Ray Gilbert}}
| extra2 = The Chipmunks
| title3 = Off to See the World
| writer3 = Randy Edelman
| extra3 = The Chipmunks & The Chipettes
| title4 = Weekend in France, Italy, England, Amsterdam, Greece...
| writer4 = {{hlist|Edelman|Ross Bagdasarian Jr.|Janice Karman}}
| extra4 = The Chipmunks
| title5 = My Mother
| writer5 = Randy Goodrum
| extra5 = The Chipettes
| title6 = Wooly Bully
| writer6 = Domingo Samudio
| extra6 = The Chipmunks
}}
{{track listing
| headline = Side two
| extra_column = Performer(s)
| title1 = The Girls of Rock 'n' Roll
| writer1 = {{hlist|Jay Levy|Terry Shaddick}}
| extra1 = The Chipmunks & The Chipettes
| title2 = Flying with the Eagles
| writer2 = Edelman
| extra2 = The Chipmunks & The Chipettes
| title3 = Getting Lucky
| writer3 = Barry DeVorzon
| extra3 = The Chipettes
| title4 = Mexican Holiday
| writer4 = {{hlist|Edelman|Bagdasarian Jr.}}
| extra4 = The Chipmunks
| title5 = Diamond Dolls
| writer5 = {{hlist|Donna Weiss|Elysee Alexander}}
| extra5 = The Chipettes
}}
Release and promotion
On February 28, 1986, the film was announced to be scheduled for a 1986 release.{{Cite news |last=Tattrie |first=Doug |date=February 28, 1986 |title=Adult, children's movies trend for 1986 |pages=15 |work=Fort McMurray Today |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-mcmurray-today-adult-childrens-mo/130270341/ |access-date=August 19, 2023}} The film was shown one year before its release, at the 1986 Cannes Film Festival.{{cite news |last=Coburn |first=Marcia Froelke |date=May 18, 1986 |title=Bashes 'N' Cash Amid Fears of Clash; Cannes Fest Lives Up to Its Hot Image |page=10 (Arts) |work=Chicago Tribune |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1986-05-18-8602040844-story.html |access-date=April 12, 2011}} The film was originally scheduled to be released in December 1986, but the film was still in-production at the time.{{Cite news |last=Mills |first=Nancy |date=December 21, 1986 |title=No Longer Denied as Leaders of Hollywood |pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-women-directo/130270539/ 206], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-womens-proje/130270482/ 208] |work=The San Francisco Examiner |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-womens-proje/130270482/ |access-date=August 19, 2023}} The Chipmunk Adventure opened on May 22, 1987, through The Samuel Goldwyn Company and Bagdasarian Productions.{{Cite news |date=April 23, 1987 |title=Alvin's Here! Meet Alvin and the Chipmunks |pages=15 |work=Madison Wisconsin State Journal |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/wisconsin/madison/madison-wisconsin-state-journal/1987/04-23/page-15/ |access-date=July 2, 2023}}
According to Anne Thompson of Special to the Register, it was initially predicted to outperform The Care Bears Movie, which was the most successful release distributed by The Samuel Goldwyn Company at the time. However, The Samuel Goldwyn Company spent $15 million to promote and market the film, compared to $24 million for The Care Bears Movie.{{cite book |last=Robertson |first=Patrick |url=https://archive.org/details/guinnessfilmfact00robe/page/27 |title=Guinness Film Facts and Feats |publisher=Guinness Books |year=1985 |isbn=0-85112-278-7 |page=[https://archive.org/details/guinnessfilmfact00robe/page/27 27] |chapter=The Industry: Publicity |quote=The largest publicity budget was the $24 million spent by the Samuel Goldwyn Co. on the launch of The Care Bears Movie (US 85). |chapter-url=}}{{Efn|According to the 1985 edition of Guinness Film Facts and Feats, the publicity budget of $24 million for its marketing of The Care Bears Movie was the largest publicity budget at the time.}} Promotional tie-ins include Burger King, French's, and the film's soundtrack. The Goldwyn staff decided that it would appeal to both younger and older audiences, including the audience for The Care Bears Movie. The Chipmunk Adventure opened at No. 6 at the North American box office on its first weekend, grossing at $2,584,720 from 916 venues.{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3108734465/weekend/|title=The Chipmunk Adventure (1987) – Box Office Mojo|work=boxofficemojo.com|access-date=June 17, 2015}}{{cite news|title= Weekend Box Office |work= The Los Angeles Times|date=May 27, 1987|url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-05-27-ca-1673-story.html|access-date=January 6, 2011}} The film grossed $6,804,312 in North America alone.
= Home media =
The film was first officially released on VHS on November 18, 1987, by Lorimar Home Video, pricing at $79.95.{{Cite news |date=November 6, 1987 |title=Coming Attractions |pages=192 |work=Chicago Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/113717929/ |access-date=July 6, 2023}}{{Cite news |date=November 13, 1987 |title=Home Video Guide |pages=120 |work=The Palm Beach Post |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/130469387/?terms=the%20chipmunk%20adventure&match=1 |access-date=July 6, 2023}} It first appeared on Billboard
On May 23, 2006, the film was released on DVD by Paramount Home Entertainment, pricing at $14.99.{{Cite news |last=Scott |first=Walter |date=May 21, 2006 |title=PersonalityParade |pages=48 |work=The Item |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/670228263/?terms=the%20chipmunk%20adventure&match=1 |access-date=July 6, 2023 |quote=The Chipmunk Adventure, a 1987 feature film, is due on DVD this Tuesday.}}{{Cite news |date=April 6, 2006 |title=Movies - Animation & Children |pages=33 |work=The Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/192693010/?terms=the%20chipmunk%20adventure&match=1 |access-date=July 6, 2023}} Bonus features include original artwork and story panels. A special edition DVD re-release of the film with a bonus CD (which is the same soundtrack disc) was released on April 1, 2008, which matches that of the live-action/animated Alvin and the Chipmunks and another DVD volume of Alvin and the Chipmunks Go to the Movies.{{cite web|url=https://www.dvdizzy.com/dvdschedule-april2008.html|title=DVDizzy.com DVD Release Schedule – April 2008 Calendar|work=dvdizzy.com|access-date=June 17, 2015}} On March 25, 2014, the film was released on Blu-ray for the first time.{{Cite web|url=https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-Chipmunk-Adventure-Blu-ray/86424/|title=The Chipmunk Adventure Blu-ray|website=Blu-ray.com|access-date=March 24, 2016}}
Critical reception
= Initial release =
Upon the film's initial theatrical and home video releases, it received mixed reviews. Rick Bentley of The Town Talk was enthused about the film, praising the animation as "first-rate", the story as "interesting", and soundtrack as "near-perfect". He concluded that the film is "entertaining for [the] young and old" and an "early [summer] treat [for this year]."{{Cite news |last=Bentley |first=Rick |date=June 1, 1987 |title='Chipmunk Adventure' treat for all |pages=23 |work=The Town Talk |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/216900645/?terms=the%20chipmunk%20adventure%20review&match=1 |access-date=July 7, 2023}} Janet Maslin of The New York Times commentated that the film is enjoyable for both parents and children.{{cite news |last1=Maslin |first1=Janet |date=May 22, 1987 |title=FILM: ANIMATED MUSICAL, 'CHIPMUNK ADVENTURE' |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/05/22/movies/film-animated-musical-chipmunk-adventure.html |access-date=October 22, 2017}} In his Family Guide to Movies on Video, Henry Herx deemed the film a "charming, lighthearted diversion for the younger set", and remarked that it resembled "a musical revue of pop tunes". Hal Hinson of The Washington Post called the film "a must-see, a romp, a delight and oh so chock-full-o'-fun."{{Cite news |last=Hinson |first=Hal |date=May 25, 1987 |title='The Chipmunk Adventure' (G) |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/thechipmunkadventureghinson_a0c968.html |access-date=July 2, 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}{{Dead link|date=September 2023}} Johanna Steinmetz of Chicago Tribune gave the film three stars out of four, stating that the inclusion of the minor characters (especially the villains) would "[keep] an adult viewer from insulin crisis."{{cite news |last1=Steinmetz |first1=Johanna |date=May 22, 1987 |title='Chipmunk Adventure' Circles Globe And Corrals Attention |language=en |work=Chicago Tribune |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1987-05-22-8702080734-story.html |access-date=October 26, 2017}} Jack Garner of Gannett News Service also gave the film three stars out of four, describing the film as "colorful, tuneful, and features inventive gags and robust villains."{{Cite news |last=Garner |first=Jack |date=June 26, 1987 |title=Film keeps kids happy |pages=69 |work=Florida Today |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/175016768/ |access-date=July 7, 2023}} In the Fort Worth Star-Telegram issue from November 13, 1987, a review on Major Releases rated the film a scale of 6 out of 10, commenting that the film blends "humor, adventure, and pop-oriented music to solid effect" and "benefits immeasurably from the vocal talents of Susan Tyrrell as [Claudia]."
Richard Freeman of Newhouse News compared the film to An American Tail as "less gloomily pretentious" and the Care Bears and Rainbow Brite cartoons as "less sickly-sweet". He described the animation as "not on a par with Disney[...] but better than Saturday morning TV" and praised the score and soundtrack of the film.{{Cite news |last=Freeman |first=Richard |date=May 26, 1987 |title=Cartoon adventure film is fun without the hard sell |pages=43 |work=Doylestown Intelligencer |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/pennsylvania/doylestown/doylestown-intelligencer/1987/05-26/page-43/ |access-date=June 11, 2023}} Lou Cedrone of the Baltimore Evening Sun praised the soundtrack, score, and voices, but stated that the animation "looks like [a] Saturday morning variety."{{Cite news |last=Cedrone |first=Lou |date=June 18, 1987 |title=Singing chipmunks are harmless entertainment |pages=61 |work=Doylestown Intelligencer |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/pennsylvania/doylestown/doylestown-intelligencer/1987/06-18/page-61/ |access-date=July 5, 2023}} George Williams of Special to the Register called the film "a hopelessly corny movie". He was questionable about the Chipettes' voices and their human form, but praised the soundtrack and its Dolby Stereo sound quality.{{Cite news |last=Williams |first=George |date=May 22, 1987 |title=A brand-new 'Chipmunk' off the same old block |pages=317 |work=Santa Ana Orange County Register |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/california/santa-ana/santa-ana-orange-county-register/1987/05-22/page-317/ |access-date=July 2, 2023}} Film critic Paul McKie praised the "superior" animation and the "delightful pair of villains", but criticized the Chipettes for not having personalities.{{Cite news |last=McKie |first=Paul |date=May 25, 1987 |title=Chipmunks enter '80s in cleverly made film |pages=21 |work=Winnipeg Free Press |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/ca/manitoba/winnipeg/winnipeg-free-press/1987/05-25/page-21/ |access-date=February 18, 2023}} A review on Madison Capital Times
Film critic Chris Chase gave the film {{frac|2|1|2}} out of 4 stars, stating that "kiddies [and Saturday-morning audiences] should love [the film]."{{Cite news |last=Chase |first=Chris |date=July 21, 1987 |title=Mini-Reviews |pages=329 |work=Daily News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/490945036/?terms=the%20chipmunk%20adventure%20review&match=1 |access-date=July 7, 2023}} Film critic Rochelle Flynn gave the film two stars, describing the film as a "cute enough cartoon, but nothing to go out of [the] way for [the film]."{{Cite news |last=Flynn |first=Rochelle |date=June 24, 1987 |title=Movie Reviews - Rochelle Flynn: Roxanne and Short takes |pages=30 |work=Wilmington Town Crier |publisher=Woburn Daily Times, Inc. |url=https://archive.org/details/Town_Crier_1987-06-24/page/n29/mode/2up?q=the+chipmunk+adventure |access-date=July 5, 2023}} Charles Solomon of The Los Angeles Times commented "listening to six little characters talk and sing in speeded-up falsetto voices for 76 minutes becomes a real test of the viewer's endurance." Solomon also said that the villains resembled those from a Ralph Bakshi film and did not fit with the world of the Chipmunks.{{cite news |last1=Solomon |first1=Charles |date=May 22, 1987 |title='Chipmunk Adventure' Just So Much Hot Air |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-05-22-ca-1178-story.html |access-date=October 22, 2017}} David Bianculli of Special to the Inquirer also gave the film two stars, critiquing that "without [very much of Dave Seville, the film isn't as] funny."{{Cite news |last=Bianculli |first=David |date=May 25, 1987 |title=3 decades later, another chip from The Chipmunks |pages=44 |work=The Philadelphia Inquirer |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/169471872/?terms=the%20chipmunk%20adventure&match=1 |access-date=July 6, 2023}} Greg Burliuk of The Kingston Whig-Standard reviewed that the film is "[more] on action than laughs". He questioned about the Chipettes and their human form, criticized the animation for losing most of the "romantic glamor" of the pyramids and cities, described the songs as "very mediocre", and praised the "Wooly Bully" sequence as "one magic moment". Roger Ebert commented that the animation is slightly better than the TV series, but criticized the film's "dumb and predictable" story, while Gene Siskel criticized the plot for being right out of a Saturday morning cartoon, especially through the film's introduction of the Chipettes.{{cite web |title=Beverly Hills Cop II, Amazing Grace and Chuck, Ishtar, The Chipmunk Adventure, 1987 |url=https://siskelebert.org/?p=4103 |access-date=May 18, 2020 |website=Siskel And Ebert Movie Reviews}} Both Ebert and Siskel also criticized the plot and the Chipmunks' voices, with Ebert comparing them to "fingernails on the blackboard". Siskel and Ebert ultimately gave the film two thumbs down.
= Retrospective =
The film reception was more positive throughout the years. On review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 75% based on 8 reviews, with an average rating of 6.6/10.{{cite web |title=Chipmunk Adventure (1987) |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/chipmunk_adventure |access-date=March 6, 2018 |work=Rotten Tomatoes |publisher=Fandango Media}} Randy Myers of Knight Ridder rated the film {{frac|3|1|2}} out of 4 stars, calling the film an "absolutely delightful continuation of the [franchise]". He praised the "spunky, tuneful, and funny" musical numbers, especially the Chipmunks' cover of "Wooly Bully". Eric Henderson of Slant Magazine gave the film three stars out of four.{{Cite web |last=Henderson |first=Eric |date=April 2, 2008 |title=The Chipmunk Adventure |url=http://slantmagazine.com/film/film_review.asp?ID=3588 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100107090442/http://slantmagazine.com/film/film_review.asp?ID=3588 |archive-date=January 7, 2010 |access-date=July 2, 2023 |website=Slant Magazine}} Nancy Davis Kho of Common Sense Media gave the film three stars out of five, calling the film a "mildly entertaining adventure set against a backdrop of international wonders", but warned that there are negative stereotypes of Arab thugs and some African cannibals. She recommended the film for ages 5 and older.{{Cite web |last=Kho |first=Nancy Davis |title=Parents' Guide to The Chipmunk Adventure |url=https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/the-chipmunk-adventure |access-date=July 2, 2023 |website=Common Sense Media}}
Notes
{{Notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Wikiquote}}
- {{IMDb title|0092752}}
- {{TCMDb title|70867|The Chipmunk Adventure}}
- {{mojo title|chipmunkadventure|The Chipmunk Adventure}}
- {{Rotten Tomatoes|chipmunk_adventure|The Chipmunk Adventure}}
{{Alvin and the Chipmunks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Chipmunk Adventure}}
Category:Alvin and the Chipmunks films
Category:1987 American animated films
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Category:1980s adventure comedy films
Category:1980s children's animated films
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Category:Films with screenplays by Ross Bagdasarian Jr.
Category:Jukebox musical films
Category:Race-related controversies in animation