The second one from Universal Animation Studios. Unlike the previous one I have no nostalgia for it, and I have no experience with the franchise outside of these two movies. I am not one of the hordes of animation fanatics who hate this franchise due to “The Hipmunk” films beating the The Princess and the Frog at the box office and dooming 2d animation (its days ruling theatrical films was long over anyway, and it was not making a comeback.)
It came out in 2000 with the same team from last movie. I am happy to see John Loy is back. To what I can tell this got good reviews, so hopefully that is a good sign.
It opens with Alvin having a nightmare about a werewolf. On paper the opening is good, but I think it is too rushed. It is still decent. He blames it on their neighbor, Talbot. They are in a school play for Jekyll and Hyde, and I think this school setting is a big downgrade from last film’s theme park setting. I just do not find it that interesting. Why does a Jekyll and Hyde play have women in it? Did they not read the book and… Apparently this is adapting some adaptation instead of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classis.
I think the moral is about the balance of confidence vs humility. Alvin ( too proud) vs Theodore (too meek) with Simon having not much of a role. Alvin messes with production and blows up the theater. I feel bad for Dave. He sees the giant mushroom cloud, and he knows it will be Alvin’s fault.
Unlike last film “The Chipettes” have a role, and I do not like that, as I do not like their designs. The brothers look like stylized chipmunks. These look like small humans with weird noses. I think it is the hair.
Talbot’s introduction is good on paper, but it drags. Very obvious he is werewolf, and I think that is intentional. He is not happy with Alvin snooping around, as he does not want to accidently kill or infect them in werewolf form like he later does to Theodore.
Like last movie I like the small scenes, and that is important for a movie with this slow of a pace. It gradually builds tension through small character driven scenes. I like the three brothers, but Dave is a little frustrating, as he cannot see he is in a fantasy. It is another downgrade from last movie. Alvin is fired from the lead role, and Dave makes him go cold turkey on monster mania. I cannot blame the director for screaming in pain. Losing the star of a dual role is huge.
The first song is “Munks on a Mission.” It is too repetitive, and that is how I describe all the songs. They repeat the lyrics too much and sound the same. Simon is really inconsistent this movie. Sometimes he is gung ho on making Alvin go cold turkey and other times he supports his obsession. Also why does he have a sample of Talbot’s blood?
Theodore becomes a “werepuppy/werechipmunk.” Neither term is correct. “Were” means human. Those terms mean he is a human puppy or a human chipmunk. At least at first it does not make Theodore mean or anything like that. He is super fast and happy with that, and a meaner side only comes later.
One highlight is the werewolf reveal when Dave talks with Talbot. I like the werewolf face reveal. Sure it is a disappointing design, but the directing helps. It happens when Dave calls him “A civilized guy,” and the back is shown first. It builds up suspense slowly. Is running to the school the best idea? Well he is panicked.
It is a really underwhelming climax especially how one werewolf bites heals the other one for both. I like the falling action where Dave gets ready to beat Talbot (the new principal), and Alvin has to stop him. Then Talbot thanks Theodore for curing him. If they made a third one was Simon going to become the monster this time?
This is pretty good. It has no appeal to me as a 29 year old man, but I feel safe saying child me would have liked it, I just think the predecessor is its superior in every way. Three Tree stars.
Next time-
Abominable
The Animation Historian 