Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel [Blu-ray]Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel [Blu-ray]
Studio: Tcfhe Release Date: 03/30/2010 Run time: 89 minutes Rating: PgDave (Jason Lee) isn’t exactly the typical father figure with an average family, but he cares deeply about his adoptive chipmunks Alvin (Justin Long), Theodore (Jesse McCartney), and Simon (Matthew Gray Gubler). While the performing life presents its own unique challenges, Dave always does his best to instill a sense of compassion and familial love into his young charges. When Alvin begins to get a little too caught up in h
Rating:  List Price: $ 39.99 Price: $ 10.43 The Young Victoria [Blu-ray]
Emily Blunt and Rupert Friend star in the lavish historical drama, THE YOUNG VICTORIA. Resolved to establish her authority over those who rule in her stead, a young and inexperienced Queen Victoria (Blunt) draws strength from the love of Albert (Friend), the handsome prince who’s stolen her heart. Based on the courtship and early reign of England’s longest-serving monarch, THE YOUNG VICTORIA is a majestic tale of romance, intrigue and power. Stills from The Young Victoria (Click
Rating: List Price: $ 34.95 Price: $ 14.88 |
(out of 75 reviews)
(out of 81 reviews)
Review by Dennis A. Amith (kndy) for Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel [Blu-ray]
Rating:
When Ross Bagdasarian Sr. created the Alvin and the Chipmunks, I often wonder if he knew at the time of how popular those characters, their music and the animated series would be for American pop culture.
Popular for the music, it was in 1961 when the three went from being puppets to an animated show. Bagdasarian using his stage name Dave Seville, the music composer and father/caretaker of three talented chipmunks who tend to get into a little mischief. The animated series “Alvin and the Chipmunks” is one of those animated series that has been part of the childhood of several generations. An even more animated series continued throughout the ’80s and ’90s.
And as “Alvin and the Chipmunks has been a part of the childhood of children for five decades, for this generation of children, they are now getting acquainted by Alvin, Simon and Theodore through their animated CG films. And what a remarkable success the first film had been for Twentieth Century Fox as “Alvin and the Chipmunks” made over $361 million worldwide (the budget of the film was $60 million).
Needless to say, “Alvin and the Chipmunks” earned their right for a sequel and before Christmas 2009, the $75 million dollar sequel “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel” made even more money than the first earning over $442 million worldwide and now, this popular film which introduces us to the female chipmunks ala “The Chipettes”: Brittany, Eleanor and Jeanette and featuring more star-power providing the voices for the characters.
VIDEO:
“Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel” is presented in 1080p High Definition (Widescreen 1:85:1). Immediately, the first thing that catches your attention is the wonderful CG animation of the chipmunks and how they flawlessly work with the real life backgrounds and props.
Many scenes are shot outdoors and with very good lighting indoors that a lot of the detail can be seen in the trees, the plants, outdoor areas to the pores in the skin of the humans and of course, seeing the fur of the chipmunks with such detail. The film looks absolutely vibrant and detail is very good for this film. Skintones are natural, blacks are nice and deep and I saw no problems with artifacts, DNR or blurring.
AUDIO & SUBTITLES:
“Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel” is presented in English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, English 5.1 Dolby Digital Descriptiive Audio and Spanish/French 5.1 Dolby Digital. The film is dialogue and music driven through the center and front channel speakers. But there are special effects such as Alvin tossing a Wiimote into the TV, a wheelchair falling off Toby’s car and various sound effects like that. Surround channels tend to utilize the crowd ambiance much more in the film.
But since the film is primarily dialogue and music driven, dialogue is clear and understandable while the music definitely comes alive with the lossless audio soundtrack.
Subtitles are presented in English, English SDH, French and Spanish.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
“Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel” features the following special features:
* Munking History: 50 Years of Chipmunk Mischief, Mayhem & Music – (09:20) A special feature on the creation of “Alvin and the Chipmunks” and various clips of the chipmunks in animated format.
* Munk Music Machine – Allows viewers to select only the music-based portions from the film.
* Meet the Chipettes – (8:35) The Chipette voice talent Amy Poehler, Anna Faris and Christina Applegate talk about their characters and how and why Janice Karman created the Chipette’s.
* Rockin’ Rising Stars – (6:20) A featurette about the inclusion of the band Honor Society and singer Charice Pempengco into the film and their experience of working on a film.
* Music Mania – (9:02) The making of the music competition segment in the film.
* Meet the Stuffies – (3:08) The cast and crew talk about their experience working with the “stuffies”.
* Shake Your Groove Thing! with Rosero – (8:59) Choreographer Rosero and crew show off choreography for the song “Shake Your Groove Thing!”.
* Music Videos & Sing-Alongs – Featuring sing-alongs for “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It),” “We Are Family”,
and “Shake Your Groove Thing”.
* Music Videos – “You Really Got Me” featuring Honor Society & “The Song” featuring Queensberry.
* A-l-v-i-n-n-n-n!!! Album Maker – A feature that allows one to create an Alvin and the Chipmunks (or Chippetes) album maker. Your creations can be saved.
* Music In A Nutshell: Song Trivia – While watching the film, viewers can watch the film with song trivia.
* The Chipmunks: Behind the Squeaking – (9:40) A documentary like featurette about life outside of the movie. Talent and crew talk about their experience of working with Alvin, Simon and Theodore.
* A-NUT-omy of a Scene – (2:39) How the stuffed animals are used for the choreography portions on the film to help guide the animators and the talent.
EXTRAS:
“Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel” comes with a DVD and a digital copy of the film. The DVD is presented in widescreen 1:85:1, English 5.1 Dolby Digital, English 5.1 Dolby Digital Descriptive Audio, Spanish and French Dolby Surround. Subtitles are in English SDH, Spanish.
The digital copy works with portable Media Players and works with iTunes.
JUDGMENT CALL:
I grew up with “Alvin and the Chipmunks” and can easily remember watching the television series during my younger years and have watched a fair share of the anime series on DVD as well, introducing it to my seven-year-old son who absolutely loves the first film.
Sure enough, we watched “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel” and he was laughing and enjoying the film. As for me, I enjoyed the humor of the film and granted, I may not be the intended demographic for this film, but as a parent, watching my son and seeing him enjoy characters that I grew up with as a child was definitely a fun, family moment. In fact, he enjoyed the film so much that we watched it for a second time (along with the wife) and continued to laugh at the jokes and hijinks… “the dutch oven” joke was just hilarious!
I definitely enjoyed the picture quality of this Blu-ray release and how alive the lossless audio soundtrack (especially from the music) coming through my speakers. Needless to say, there are plenty of music featured in “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel” and again, watching my son bop to the songs, I have no doubt that this film will do the same for the children watching this film. Also, for parents, there are plenty of special features and fun sing-a-longs and if you are commuting, you also get a DVD and digital copy of the film as well.
Overall, “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel” was an entertaining film which I enjoyed much more over the first film. The addition of the Chipettes was pretty cool and definitely enjoyed the animation and overall storyline for this sequel. As mentioned earlier in my review, there is a good number of star power in this film and a lot of of music covers. Definitely interesting to see “Chuck” actor Zachary Levi in a more comedic role and also to see Filipino singer Charice Pempengco jamming on the film as well! But of course, the star power behind the voices of Alvin and the Chipmunks and the Chipettes did a wonderful job. For Amy Poehler, Anna Faris and Christina Applegate, the three did a wonderful job.
If you are a parent looking for a fun, family film…you can’t go wrong with “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel” and if you are an adult who grew up with Alvin and the Chipmunks, you’ll definitely enjoy this film as well! Definitely recommended!
Review by Arnita D. Brown for Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel [Blu-ray]
Rating:
Alvin, Simon and Theodore end up in the care of Dave Seville’s twenty-something nephew Toby. The boys must put aside music super stardom to return to school, and are tasked with saving the school’s music program by winning the $25,000 prize in a battle of the bands. But the Chipmunks unexpectedly meet their match in three singing chipmunks known as The Chipettes. Though the Chipmunks are confident they have the songwriting skills to steamroll the competition, a newly formed singing trio dubbed the Chippettes promises to give them some stiff competition on-stage. Brittany, Eleanor, and Jeanette are indeed the real deal, and the closer the competition gets, the more Alvin, Simon, and Theodore realize that in order to win, they’ll have to give it everything they’ve got. This is a great movie. If you liked the first one you will like this one. Your kids will love it and thats what the movie is for.
Review by I’d Rather Be Reading for Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel [Blu-ray]
We saw it at a dollar movie theater, so I couldn’t feel bad about the value. Might be worth adding to a kids video library, but it won’t be a top ten favorite, in my opinion.
Rating:
It’s a kids movie. My first grader liked it. That’s worth 4 stars. Very high “cuteness factor.” Lots of energy and silly antics, of course (isn’t that expected from Chipmunks?). Appealed to her and she was happy w/ the experience. I thought it was a little long (7 yo got wiggly) and the story was choppy, but I’m an adult, so who cares?
Review by DVD Lover for Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel [Blu-ray]
Rating:
If you liked Alvin and the Chipmunks, then you will love the Squeakquel! I think the Squeakquel was better and funnier than the first. I thought the Chipettes were great (especially Anna Faris)! Zachary Levi (Chuck: The Complete First Season) was also very good in this movie. David Cross (Scary Movie 2) was kinda freaky. This movie is great movie for the whole family! It is funny, silly, crazy, and outrageous! A very good kids movies!
(DVD FEATURES)
TBA
Review by Filipina Cupid for Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel [Blu-ray]
Rating:
The last time Charice came in 3rd in a contest she was 12. The Chipmunks pulled off an upset for a good cause – save their school’s Music Department. I really thought the Chippettes had it for a while. hehehe
Charice representing a rival school sings No One in the contest with the Cippettes singing background – great song! In fact the whole Alvin And The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is great – the little ones in my house play it constantly – great fun.
I like Charice not only for her talent but because she truly is a great role model for our children. She started singing in contests at age 7 to put food on the family table – literally! She has overcome so many obstacles to become successful and she did it the right way – a genuinely good person. For children over age 8, I recommend Charice’s new Pop Album; Charice – Charice’s new single, Pyramid [Featuring Iyaz] is #15 on the Billboard chart this week.
The Chipmunks burst right through the screen in Blu-ray – my kids and I just love it!!!! It is also on Standard DVD: Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (Single-Disc Version) AND Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (Two-Disc Special Edition) – Enjoy
Review by E. A. James for The Young Victoria [Blu-ray]
Rating:
The film takes a look at the year leading up to and first few years of Victoria on the throne of England. It shows the struggles, trials and tribulations of being a lonely child growing up under strict rule to being a young queen on the English throne, a queen that would have the longest standing reign in all of British history. The film also takes us into the life of a married monarch. A true love story for the ages, the marriage between Victoria, played by Emily Blunt, and Albert, played by Rupert Friend, was arranged prior to their eventual meeting. Their official meeting was scripted, but it was when both dropped the script and began to speak as themselves that the historic romance blossomed. The film is a wonderful depiction of the early life of the queen, showing how she became one of the greatest monarchs in British history.
Although I am not technically trained as an historian, I am as an actor and director and I found this movie worth its price at the theatre. Being one of many costume dramas that I have seen The Young Victoria has been by far most sound in design, screen capture, performance, and set. One must remember, though, that this is just a movie and in order for it to be completely historically accurate is reaching for the stars. This film was an interpretation above all; an inside look at the life of a young queen from an unfamiliar angle, her personal life. Though this is not the first film to do so, it is one of a few films that actually shows the passionate, loving and sexually driven young queen; not the prudish, “we are not amused” old queen we’ve grown to know. My rating for this film stands at a strong four star, and it is recommended that if you are able to let go of the idea of being historically accurate and allow yourself to enter the imagination of film makers you will enjoy The Young Victoria.
Review by Anonymous for The Young Victoria [Blu-ray]
Rating:
Well, I came to this one rather dreading it. National critics had given it something of a bashing. But it is super!
Young Victoria was the only surviving issue of several sons of George III (“Farmer George”). Two of her uncles, George IV (who made Brighton Pavilion) and his brother William IV (known as the “Sailor King” and “Silly Billy”), preceded her as monarch. Unfortunately for Victoria, her father, the Duke of Kent, died very early and her mother, the Duchess, fell under the spell of – not to put too fine a point on it – a conman in the shape of (later knighted as “Sir”) John Conroy. Sensing the prospect of power, the two of them raised poor Victoria in a repressive background at Kensington Palace, dubbing their tyrannical regime “The Kensington System.”
This is where the film starts. I loved it. Victoria is played with emotional literacy and verve by Emily Blunt. Miranda Richardson is restrained and blinkered as the Duchess and Mark Strong makes a villainous Conroy, slapping Victoria as she refuses to sign a document making him Regent.
Several of the other actors are so good that their identity in the cast list came as a PLEASANT SURPRISE (hence the title of this review). Jim Broadbent is great as crusty old William IV, asking God to let him hang on until May, when Victoria comes of age. (Thankfully, she did – and banished Conroy from her Court on her accession.) Michael Maloney puts in good work as Sir Robert Peel who Victoria clashes with politically. Paul Bettany is fabulous, if somewhat too young, as Lord Melbourne, Victoria’s adviser and crush.
But the honours go to the dashing Rupert Friend, wonderful as Prince Albert. Albert – German and Royal and not popular with Parliament – is utterly rehabilitated in this film. It’s a beautiful love story in a historical setting. The romance is made all the more poignant by the knowledge that Albert died after he and Victoria had ruled for 20 years. She mourned him for the rest of her life. On the morning afer their wedding night, he lies motionless in bed, almost a precursor of his death, as she passionately surveys him.
The loveliness of romance is underpinned by solid history and politics. The production values are superb, the research admirable, the storytelling gripping.
So what if it’s revisionist in some respects? I won’t be pedantic. But if you see it and like it, carry on to Christopher Hibbert’s superb Queen Victoria: A Personal History and the somewhat less marvellous Becoming Queen (a bit novelettish for me). There’s also a nice older TV version, Victoria & Albert with a cast including Diana Rigg.
Definitely one to enjoy.
Review by Mel Belle for The Young Victoria [Blu-ray]
Rating:
I recently got to see this film on an airplane as I was flying back to the US from England, rather ironically. I thought I’d enjoy another look at some of the English locations I had fallen in love with so recently, and it worked lke a charm. Stunning cinematography
Emily Blunt was superb as a young Queen Victoria. I know to the history buffs, the historical accuracy is not to be found, but truthfully isn’t everything conjecture? To get reality, you’d have to have been there.
I found it delightful to watch, and it is has further urged me to do more research on Victoria and Albert myself. I found this fresh take on their relationship compelling, and any film that makes me want to dig my heels in and do some reading, gets a positive vote from me.
Well done.
Review by Mama on the Go for The Young Victoria [Blu-ray]
Rating:
I thoroughly enjoyed this film! Emily Blunt gave a stunning performance as Victoria, but Rupert Friend totally steals the show as Albert, in many ways a much more challenging role, I think. Albert was a complex, private person and his relationship with Victoria is all the more interesting, because while he dutifully pursued marriage with Victoria as his destined “career”, he did not expect to fall in love or to be loved in their marriage. Friend does a marvelous job of portraying a very reserved, rational man suprised by his own powerful feelings, and of showing Albert’s very dry but keen sense of humor. Many biographers/historians have suggested that Albert did not love Victoria as she did him, but I think this has much more to do with Albert’s reserved, Germanic public persona than any historical reality, as is amply demonstrated in his letters and Victoria’s journals. Friend does a marvelous job of revealing an Albert who loved Victoria deeply and was willing to make great sacrifices for her, but who also had the strength to stand up to her strong will and fiery temper, and not be pushed around. Both actors obviously did their homework on Victoria and Albert and I think very much captured the essence of their personalities. I also very much enjoyed Jim Broadbent and Harriet Walter’s marvelous, feisty performances as King William and Queen Adelaide.
One aspect of the film I found a bit jarring was the portrayal of Victoria’s relationship with King Leopold and Baron Stockmar as being rather distant and hostile. While Victoria was quite determined to live her own life and not be a pawn in their (or anyone else’s) political schemes, she actually had a very affectionate relationship with her uncle Leopold both before and after her marriage, and Stockmar was a lifelong friend and confidant of both Victoria and Albert and helped them through many of their early marital difficulties. Their manipulative attitude toward Albert and their obsessive focus on grooming him for marriage to Victoria was historically accurate, and Rupert Friend’s portrayal of the young Albert’s attitude toward their “training” is one of the funniest parts of the film.
I highly recommend Stanley Weintraub’s biographies of both Victoria and Albert for those wanting the real historical background for the film. Sarah Ferguson’s book Victoria and Albert: Life at Osborne House is also a well-researched and beautifully illustrated book about their marriage and family life.
There is a bit of minor chronological rearrangement to cram about 5 years of historical material into less than 2 hours, for which I think Julian Fellowes can be easily forgiven, and some slight embellishment of real events for dramatic effect (eg Prince Albert did attempt to shield Victoria in the assassination attempt but was not actually shot, Albert was not present at Victoria’s coronation) but I didn’t find it detracted from the story. Much of the script is actually verbatim historical record (King William’s drunken outburst at the banquet, Conroy’s attempt to force Victoria to sign an order making him Regent) and Fellowes included these bits unaltered, to his credit–they are fabulously dramatic, just as they are.
Costuming is gorgeous and well-researched, the film is a visual treat. A real must-see!
Review by Elizabeth Smailes for The Young Victoria [Blu-ray]
Rating:
Movie critics seem to brush over the section of movie goers that can’t get enough of well done period dramas. The week before I saw YV I watched Avatar. Now, the critics love Avatar–new visual feats, jump scenes, apparent sex and vilification of the political right. What the critics hate is a beautiful well made film with monogamous relationships, real violence and a hero that actual existed. I suppose critics love the imaginative and spur the real, an interesting commentary on our society and its relationship to the beautiful.
This is the best period drama since the 6 hour Pride and Prejudice.