The Chipmunk Adventure (1987)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Janice Karman

Writers:

Ross Bagdasarian (characters) and
Ross Bagdasarian Jr. (writer)

Release Date:

22 May 1987 (USA)

Genre:

Animation | Adventure | Comedy | Family | Fantasy | Musical

Tagline:

At last! Alvin's first motion picture.

Plot:

Alvin has entered himself and Simon and Theodore in a hot-air balloon race around the world against...

Plot Keywords:

Diamond | Chipmunk | Balloon | Hot Air Balloon Race | Diamond Smuggler

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Ross Bagdasarian Jr.	...	David Seville / Alvin Seville / Simon Seville (voice)
Janice Karman	...	Theodore Seville / Brittany Miller / Jeanette Miller / Eleanor Miller (voice)
Dody Goodman	...	Miss Rebecca Miller (voice)
Anthony De Longis	...	Klaus Furschtien (voice)
Susan Tyrrell	...	Claudia Furschtien (voice)
Frank Welker	...	Sophie / Additional Voices (voice)
Nancy Cartwright	...	Arabian Prince (voice)
Philip L. Clarke	...	Additional Voices (voice) (as Philip Clarke)
Ken Sansom	...	Additional Voices (voice)
George Poulos	...	Additional Voices (voice) (as George Poulous)
Charles Adler	...	Additional Voices (voice)
Patrick Pinney	...	Additional Voices (voice)

Runtime:

76 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | West Germany:o.Al. | USA:G

Company:

Bagdasarian Productions

Trivia:

Production of the movie became too time consuming, and with the deadline for the completed project fast approaching, several scenes in the original script had to be re-written to make them simpler for the animators to animate (including the sacrificing scene), or cut from the script completely, thus resulting in a much shorter movie with fewer locations The Chipmunks and Chipettes actually visit.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Klaus is about to start the race we see Sophie holding the rope to the boy's balloon. In the next shot she has the rope to the girl's balloon as well.

Quotes:

[first lines]
David Seville: The taxi will be here any minute and I'm not even ready! Has anyone seen my tie?
Simon Seville: You're wearing it, Dave.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Alvin and the Chipmunks (2007)

Soundtrack:

Witch Doctor

THE CHIPMUNK ADVENTURE : A Childhood Favorite That Holds Up With Every Viewing...

THE CHIPMUNK ADVENTURE

There are some movies that I could watch all my life and never grow tired of them, and this nostalgic favorite is one of them. THE CHIPMUNK ADVENTURE was a 1987 attempt to bring the old favorites back to the forefront of animation, this time on the big screen. In an age when Disney dominated the film industry in terms of animation quality and box office, THE CHIPMUNK ADVENTURE stands as one of the best animated films that Disney didn't produce in the 80's.

The story is simple and elementary, having Alvin, Simon & Theodore compete in an around-the-world race with the Chipettes (Janette, Eleanor, & Brittany). However, as the chipmunks encounter exotic dangers, they are unaware that they are the pawns in a major diamond heist.

THE CHIPMUNK ADVENTURE never was and never will be a film that soars thanks to an engrossing plot. And to people who didn't love it as a child, the film will probably never be more then an enjoyable, yet forgettable, animated movie. But for me, it will always be a little known masterpiece. Something about the film just clicks for me in a way few films do.

Every song is fun, upbeat, and harmless. Highlights include the Chipettes in a slightly risqué Arabian dance to calm snakes. There's also a very sweet song in which the Chipmunks sing about traveling the world and we get to see them at major landmarks throughout the globe. One thing about the Chipmunk characters is that, despite the potentially annoying vocals, the songwriters always managed to write songs that were catchy without ever being grating. This film is no exception... it actually boasts one of the best Animated movie soundtracks of the 80's if you ask me.

Every joke is cute, sincere and amusing. The bits between the bad guys and a pampered puppy are very amusing. And the shock of seeing the Chipettes nearly forced into marriage by a child emperor is as well. The comedy manages to constantly play to the kids so that they don't miss anything, but everything remains charming for the adults with enough nostalgia to keep them entertained.

It's really just a fun trip that is completely humble in it's ambitions. THE CHIPMUNK ADVENTURE never aims to be anything more then it is, harmless fun. I'll be the first to admit this is a biased review because I have such a nostalgic fondness for THE CHIPMUNK ADVENTURE that I would never be able to give it a bad review... but nonetheless, it fills me with such a childish contentment while watching it. Everyone has their random favorite from childhood that no one knows, and for me it's this movie. And any film that I can watch over and over whether I am 5, 12, 23 or older is a great film in my eyes.

... A- ...