Film Review: ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS MEET FRANKENSTEIN (1999)

ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS MEET FRANKENSTEIN *** USA 1999 Dir: Kathi Castillo 78 mins

Surprisingly (to some) the chipmunks have been around since the late 1950s when Ross Bagdasarian Sr. created a chipmunks novelty record, and from that was born a billion dollar franchise. In the 1960’s the chipmunks got a TV series called The Alvin Show, but it was arguably the 1980’s to early 1990’s animated show Alvin and the Chipmunks that really captured the imagination of children. After the success of the live-action CGI theatrical movies the chipmunks returned to the small screen in ALVINNN!!! and the Chipmunks. Before these new movies though was one of a few direct to video movies, one which was ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS MEET FRANKENSTEIN.
Whilst performing a concert at the Majestic Movie Studios, Alvin and his brothers Simon and Theodore have a small break so decide to venture through the park but get lost and locked in overnight. Seeing a light on at the Frankenstein’s Castle attraction they go in and end up disturbing Dr. Victor Frankenstein bringing life to his monster. What follows is the monster chasing the chipmunks out of the park. Theodore ends up dropping his favourite teddy bear and Frankenstein’s monster goes in search of the chipmunks. Though the monster is scary to look at he is clearly misunderstood as is revealed by him giving Theodore back his teddy bear and the chipmunks befriending the monster. Of course Dr. Victor Frankenstein doesn’t take kindly to the chipmunks making his fearsome monster a lovable cuddly monster, so he now seeks revenge on them. Nicely animated and with beautiful colouring throughout, this animated movie will appeal to children of a young age but it also will have an appeal to some adults, especially the nice homage to the early Universal Studios Frankenstein movies opening the animation. As with any chipmunk animation they do end up singing some songs which may have you humming the tunes throughout the day whether you want to or not. It also has a nice message which is: not to judge a book by its cover. The chipmunks squeaky little voices may end up driving adults insane but little monsters will find this colourful animation a joy to watch.

Review by Peter ‘Witchfinder‘ Hopkins