The Benefits of Chipmunk Bites

Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet the Wolfman
(2000)


Yes, I went there...mostly because I wanted to know what the Wolfman had to do with Jekyll and Hyde. Confused? Read on.

This direct-to-video farce has the Chipmunks (and Chippettes) starring in a school production of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, with Alvin in the lead role. Alvin has a monster fetish and an active imagination - two not necessarily congruous traits. Apparently, Simon has been keeping a list of all the townsfolk that Alvin has accused of being monsters. His latest victim is the new next door neighbor, Mr. Talbot. Talbot is snooty, defensive, unfriendly and really likes lupine decor. Alvin sets out to prove his monster theory by ordering a book from a television psychic.

Meanwhile, Theodore is getting bullied at school. Through a serious of events, he ends up replacing Alvin for the role of Mr. Hyde (with Simon playing Dr. Jekyll). His casting was suggested by the soon to be retiring principal, who believes it will boost his confidence. This opinion is not shared by the melodramatic director (who is in possession of the world's only stand alone cappuccino urn that can dispense both coffee and frothed milk from the same spigot). Nevertheless, Theodore seems to morph into his role after a strange dog attack. See what I did there? Yeah.

Personally, I think it's kind of an improvement.

Anywho, Alvin and Simon scramble for a way to save their brother and the school play. Dave, their "dad" tries to smooth things over Mr. Talbot, after Alvin breaks the man's walking stick. That doesn't go so well but does produce the best line in the whole movie:

Mr. Seville do you realize that this cane is a family heirloom? The handle was made from the silver bullets fired at my grandfather by angry villagers.

 Yep, that's when I would've made my exit, but good old Dave stays for the whole unveiling.

After some chasing, and some unfortunate musical numbers, this ends with the most ridiculous, totally unexplained "cure" scenario ever. I was willing to forgive the idea of a werewolf using a silver-handled walking stick - WHEN THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE ALLERGIC TO SILVER - but this last piece was just completely inane.

Other annoyances:
Whoever designed these characters had obviously never seen a real chipmunk. I mean I loved the animation as a kid but when I finally saw a real chipmunk...those sucks are tiny. I hate to say it but the modern CGI versions are way more accurate and actually do them justice. Not only are the vintage (or in this case, second generation) chipmunks at least six times the size of a normal one, they also look more like bear cubs. I realize standards were different then but good grief.

Alvin's opening sequence dream was more frightening than this entire movie.