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The Chipmunks Go the Movies DVDs Reviewed: Funny, We Shrunk the Adults • Daytona Jones and the Pearl of Wisdom • Star Wreck
Alvin and the Chipmunks Go to the Movies: Star Wreck DVD Review
Thanks to J.J. Abrams and his 2009 blockbuster, Star Trek is cool (again?). Certainly it's the coolest of the seven feature film subjects affectionately parodied in previously out-of-print episodes of "Chipmunks Go to the Movies", the eighth/final season (or, if you wish, short-lived spin-off) of long-running 1980s cartoon The "Star Wreck" episode was actually one of three spoofs featured on the first "Chipmunks Go to the Movies" DVD all the way back in May 2007. Since then, that disc has been discontinued and Paramount has shown intent to release all thirteen of the marketable half-hour 1990 cartoons. In 2008, six of the episodes were released in two compilations. The number of in-print "Movies" episodes climbs to eight with this, as "Wreck" is now accompanied by Dick Tracy retelling "Chip Tracy."
Instead of including a third "Movies" installment here, the studio provides sixth season episode "Elementary, My Dear Simon." By 1988, still under its original title, "Alvin and the Chipmunks" had moved towards half-hour stories and spoofs of existing media. The Arthur Conan Doyle-inspired mystery may slightly predate its present company, but it's similar enough to fit in. And, with Robert Downey Jr.'s Sherlock Holmes movie opening on Christmas Day, it too has a major motion picture with which to draw parallels.
For those looking to own the full "Chipmunks Go to the Movies" run (a relatively expensive goal to be carried out by an audience not directly targeted), here is the breakdown of what's now on what: Funny, We Shrunk the Adults holds (#1) "Back to Our Future", (#2) "Bigger", and (#13) "Funny, We Shrunk the Adults". Daytona Jones and the Pearl of Wisdom holds its title episode (#5), (#4) "Batmunk", and (#7) "Robomunk". (#6) "Star Wreck" and (#10) "Chip Tracy" appear on the subject of this review. "Chipmunks Go to the Movies" didn't require an abundance of creativity to translate these major movies and universes into terms the Chipmunks and Chipettes could handle. At its laziest, the series basically recast the regulars characters as familiar heroes and villains, merely changing a letter or syllable. Even when the show is less than clever, though, it remains sufficiently entertaining. There are the pleasures gained from recognizing the story elements and personalities adapted. And even if they're removed from their trademark manners, the Chipmunks still show parts of themselves and offer a fun story plus one nifty cover of a pop song from the 1980s or earlier.
Here is a closer look at this disc's contents...
1. "Star Wreck(: The Absolutely Final Frontier)" (22:33) (Originally aired October 13, 1990)
2. "Chip Tracy" (23:06) (Originally aired November 10, 1990)
3. "Elementary, My Dear Simon" (23:34) (Originally aired September 17, 1988)
VIDEO and AUDIO
True to their original design, the episodes are presented here in 1.33:1 fullscreen and Dolby Stereo sound. There are a number of minor nuisances, most of which probably date back to production (like awkwardly frozen frames here and there, fluctuating colors on a boat in "Chip Tracy"), but some of which the DVD can be blamed for (such as a dropout at the end of the first episode's theme song, and the lack of end credits on the same episode). On the whole, picture is not too sharp or clean, but it is about as good as you can hope for on such a small-time DVD. BONUS FEATURES, MENUS and PACKAGING
No surprises here. Paramount's streak of no bonus features on TV Chipmunks DVDs continues with this release. I guess with the way the title episode is advertised, we should be grateful it's accompanied by two others.
Like Paramount's other 2009 Chipmunks DVDs, this one loads with a slightly outdated general promo for the franchise, which can also be viewed from the menu's "Previews" listing.
The DVD's only menu reformats the cover art to fill the 4:3 frame. Inside the case, a double-sided insert promotes a quartet of other Chipmunk DVDs and, with "Star Wreck" imagery, the official website.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Star Wreck is not the best Alvin and the Chipmunks compilation DVD out there and this is yet another release that's less than conducive to collecting. Unless you have a special fondness for these episodes or are commited to owning every Chipmunk DVD out there, you would be fine to skip or wait to find it cheap.
I can't help but think that Paramount continues to neglect the audience that would gladly shell out $20 for a complete "Chipmunks Go to the Movies" set on two discs. Most studios would probably give it that treatment, especially if they're going to put the money and effort into doing these 3-episode compilations anyway. With the slightest bit of thought, most potential customers must realize the value-to-cost ratio of such "bargain" DVDs is far less than those of more inclusive collections.
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DVDizzy.com: New and Upcoming DVD/Blu-ray Schedule | DVD and Blu-ray Reviews | UltimateDisney.com | Upcoming Cover Art | Search This Site
Alvin and the Chipmunks Go to the Movies: Daytona Jones and the Pearl of Wisdom • Funny, We Shrunk the Adults
New to DVD: Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Very First Alvin Show • Wizards on Deck with Hannah Montana • Thomas & Friends: Hero of the Rails
Alvin and the Chipmunks: Classic Holiday Gift Set • Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Chipettes • The Chipmunk Adventure (DVD + CD Combo)
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The ALVINNN!!! Edition • Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Mystery of the Easter Chipmunk • Freakazoid!: Season 1
Oliver & Company (20th Anniversary Edition) • The Jetsons: Season 2, Volume 1 • DuckTales: The Movie - Treasure of the Lost Lamp
Star Trek: Motion Picture Trilogy • Galaxy Quest (Deluxe Edition) • The Sylvester & Tweety Mysteries: Season 1 • The Tick vs. Season 2 • Newsies
Reviewed September 17, 2009.
Text copyright 2009 DVDizzy.com. Images copyright 1988-90 Bagdasarian Productions and 2009 Paramount Home Entertainment. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.