When I was a kid, my friend had an Alvin and the Chipmunks Christmas album (yes, album). We listened to it quite a bit. But other than that, I was never really a huge Alvin and the Chipmunks fan. So if it wasn’t for the kids I probably wouldn’t have gone to this movie.

But the kids saw the ads on TV and were dying to see it.

The movie is based on the 1980’s cartoon series about three musical chipmunks named Alvin, Simon and Theodore. Alvin (in red with a big A on his shirt) is the leader of the group and kind of a trouble maker. Simon (in blue) is the brains of the group. Theodore (in green) is the ditzy one who loves to eat. Justin Long, who has been in several movies, but will always be my Mac man, is the voice of Alvin. Matthew Gray Gubler, better known for his role in Criminal Minds, is the voice of Simon. And Jesse McCartney, the teeny-bopper musician, is the voice of Theodore.

The movie begins with Dave Seville (played by Jason Lee) falling on hard times. He’s an aspiring song writer who can’t get the record label to pick up any of his songs. Plus his girlfriend broke up with him because he can’t get his life together.

Then he discovers these talking chipmunks who are recking havoc on his kitchen. He boots them out. But when they start serenading him while standing outside in the rain, he gets an idea. He invites them to live with him as long as they will sing his songs.

Dave’s “friend,” Ian (played by David Cross) is a music producer and loves the chipmunks. At least he loves how much money they can make him. And he attempts to buy their love so they will go on tour for him.

It’s a cute story. I was a little disappointed in Jason Lee. I expect him to be funny based on his past roles. But in this role he was more of a father figure. Still I could have used a little more humor from him.

I also thought the story dragged a little in the middle. I thought the kids would say it was boring. But I was surprised to learn they LOVED it. Spencer said it’s the best movie he’s seen (at least as far back as his eight year old brain can remember). And the ending did have a great lesson about the importance of family.

And the graphics were fantastic. It was along the lines of Garfield only better. The interaction between the actors and the chipmunks was very lifelike. I was really impressed.

So, all in all, it wasn’t a fantastic movie, but it was better than average. I’d give it 3.5 beans out of 5.