The Chipmunk Adventure

After years of appearing on TV in various specials (mostly airing during the Christmas season), Alvin and the Chipmunks finally hit the big screen in this 1987 animated feature film, which delighted young audiences without really adding anything new to the concept. Digitally remastered for this DVD release, the movie begins with David Seville (voiced by Ross Bagdasarian Jr., whose father created the Chipmunks franchise) leaving for Europe on a business trip and entrusting the care of his adopted chipmunk sons Alvin, Simon, and Theodore to Miss Miller. Jealous over being left behind, the three would-be travelers impulsively enter a round-the-world, hot-air balloon race. Their primary competitors are the Chipettes—Brittany, Jeanette, and Eleanor—who are also eager to win the $100,000 purse but are unaware that the race is a front for diamond smugglers. Animated with considerably more sophistication than the TV specials, The Chipmunk Adventure remains reasonably fun viewing for children. DVD extras include a photo gallery of original artwork. A strong optional purchase. (E. Hulse)[DVD Review—Apr. 1, 2008—Paramount, 76 min., G, $16.99—Making its second appearance on DVD, 1987's The Chipmunk Adventure sports a great transfer and includes a bonus CD soundtrack and an art gallery. Bottom line: if you own the initial release, this one's sole DVD extra is identical; however, it's nice to have the bonus audio CD on this so-so film released to tie-in with the Chipmunks new CGI-animated movie.]