In the 1980s, Alvin & The Chipmunks experienced a revival in popularity with a TV show and albums. Since everything, good or bad, goes in cycles, the release of the new movie has spurred the release of DVDs from the show and the movie Alvin and The Chipmunks: The Chipmunk Adventure that was first released in 1987.
Dave Seville, the Chipmunks manager and father figure, is traveling to Europe on business. The boys do not get to go for an unknown reason so he puts them in the hands of absentminded babysitter Miss Miller. Alvin, in particular, is not happy because he wants to see the wonders of the world and gets into an argument with Brittany, leader of the Chipettes, about who could really win a race around the world.
Two strangers, Klaus and Claudia, overhear the argument and devise a quick plan to smuggle their stolen diamonds using our heroes. They send the Chipmunks and the Chipettes on a race around the world, having them deposit dolls stuffed with diamonds at certain checkpoints along the way. The Chipmunks do not realize the dolls are carrying precious cargo; they feel that these two creepy adults are rich and bored. Besides, the winner will receive $100,000. Combine the prize money with the adventure and we are off. Alvin, Simon and Theodore set off in one direction while Brittany, Jeannette and Eleanor set off in the other.
The Chipmunk Adventure is filled with action and adventure and musical numbers. The musical numbers, as hilarious as they are, present my first sign of getting older. It was easier to understand what they were singing when I was younger. Maybe children can hear at a higher octave than adults can. Also, some of the songs are a little suggestive ("get lucky with you").
I noticed that the boys never understand the danger in what they did - leaving home, trusting strangers, lying to the adults. Other than Theodore mentioning the guilty feeling once and Simon bickering in the beginning, the boys never really acknowledge how wrong their actions were - and Dave doesn’t either. I know this is a cartoon, but cartoons are notorious for morals and lessons learned and I feel that this one could have established those a little better. Regardless, this is still a fun time and not something I would hesitate to place before my children. It was a highlight of my youth and I hope it becomes a highlight of theirs.
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