Dark SIde of the Review: Alvin And the chipmunks 2: The squeakquel

One of many terrifying expressions made by these animated monstrosities.

I have to say, thank god for Pink Floyd, because I would have never made it through this turd without them. I’ve spoken to a few people who have seen all of the live action Alvin and the Chipmunks movies, and all have said that this was the worst of the four. And if you’re familiar with the rest of the series, you know that’s saying something. This being the first in an ongoing series of reviews, I should clarify that this is not a traditional review. I’ll be listing specific moments that synched up with the album particularly well, without giving a ton of context for both the film, or the album. I recommend that you get familiar with “Dark Side of the Moon” to get the most out of these reviews. I also feel the best way to experience these reviews is to read them, then try them for yourself; trust me, it can be super fun. Disclaimer: not that it really matters, but there will be spoilers in this review and in future similar reviews (but I mean for crying out loud, it’s freaking Alvin and the Chipmunks 2). With that all being said, let’s jump into it!

I started playing the album as soon as the first guitar power chord hits in the opening credits. As you would expect, starting the album at the right moment makes all the difference to how the soundtrack and movie synch up later. Now, here’s a list of what happened as the film went on:

- During the opening scene, Alvin is swinging on a chord dangling from the ceiling during a concert, with matches the swinging guitar sweeps of the second song, “Breathe”

- The lyrics “Breathe, breathe in the air” (“Breathe”) are sung the moment Dave is hit by a giant cardboard cutout of Alvin, which, ironically, sends him to the hospital.

- The lyrics “How you live, how you die” (“Breathe”) are sung as Dave falls asleep from a sedative, which the Chipmunks initially perceive as Dave dying.

- During “On the Run” there is a moment where someone is either exhaling or saying “Ah,” in such a way that it noticeably pierces through the tension building chord progression. This is also the moment where the Chipmunks’ elderly, wheelchair-bound aunt is pushed down a large set of stairs.

- Toby, (who was either the nephew or grandson of the aunt who got pushed down the stairs, frankly I don’t care enough to actually look it up) mentions how the aunt would be fine and that she wasn’t “gone.” As he says “gone” a plane can be heard crashing during “On the Run.”

- There is a tapping beat in “Time” that matches Alvin’s stepping to the beat of his rendition of “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees.

- The lyrics “Home, home again” (“Time”) are sung as soon as the Chipmunks step on to the school campus. While this may seem unrelated, I like to think that “home” alludes to the campus being the movie’s main setting.

- The soulful vocals, sung by the amazingly talented Clare H. Torry (a person I did bother to look up) begins as the jock characters realize they are being upstaged by the Chipmunks, as the camera zooms in on them dramatically.

- The second portion of the “woah” vocals in “Great Gig in the Sky” sound a bit like they are emoting struggle, which appropriately matches the visual of the Chipettes trying to break out of a package and failing to keep their balance.

- The vocals in "Great Gig in the Sky"also act like a sort of angelic choir as the antagonist Ian, who has been shunned from the music production industry (and lives under the production building itself for some reason; god this movie’s stupid), finally realizes his godsend with the Chipettes.

- Ian sees his big chance at redemption and has the Chipettes audition privately on the roof of the production building. As the Chipettes strike a pose and essentially begin their career, “Money” starts with a “ka-ching!” Out of all the moments that matched during this film, this was my favorite.

- “Us and Them” starts playing, during the scene where Ian is sneaking into a penthouse suite, further accentuating the fact that Ian no longer belongs with the rich high-roller crowd.

- The lyrics “In the end, it’s only round and round” (“Us and Them”) are sung at the exact moment when Toby is having a flashback of bullies giving him a swirly in high school.

- There are a few moments near the end of the album with the climactic songs “Brain Damage” and “Eclipse,” that fit the rising action of the movie, when Ian is victorious and successfully upstages the Chipmunks.

- After the album starts again, there is a voice screaming in the background of “Speak to Me,” which comically matched the moment when Theodore gets trapped in a “Dutch Oven” made by Toby.

- “Great Gig in the Sky” acts as a sad song of defeat as the Chipmunks suffer hard blows such as being booed off stage and Alvin acting selfish and missing the performance with his brothers.

- The movie ends as “Brain Damage” starts again…how fitting.

And that was my experience with Alvin and the Chipmunks 2 and Dark Side of the Moon. What can I say, this movie sucks. Throughout the film, you can never shake the feeling that none of the actors want to be there. You can practically hear the producers and studio executives greedily rubbing their hands together with every uncomfortable attempt at humor, every money shilling pop song, and every eye-roll inducing catchphrase spewed by Alvin and the rest of the five Chipmunks (Alvin is especially insufferable). I get that I am not the target audience for this film now, but I know I was when it first came out and I ate this garbage up like a McDonald's Happy Meal. Thankfully, studios have started to move away from this tired formula and started to make better quality films aimed at children. But, these dated relics of the past will still remain in my memory. Once again, thank god I had Pink Floyd to help me through this one.

Overall Rating: Freaking Awful

Entertainment Value (without Pink Floyd): Better Get Comfy

Pink Floyd Syncability: High