ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: CHIPWRECKED (Released to Theaters USA 2011)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked—okay, suitable watch—has a cliched, stale storyline that borrows significantly from other marooned on an island films. Despite that, it still manages to keep its cute chipmunk charm.   Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  Dave and the chipmunks go on vacation.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Mike Mitchell for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Janice Karman and Ross Bagdasarian Jr. for making the film possible. Cast includes Jason Lee, David Cross, Jenny Slate, Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler, Jesse McCartney, Amy Poehler, Anna Faris, and Christina Applegate.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It may work well for hard core Alvin and the Chipmunks fans. It runs on a stale, cliched storyline. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE SQUEAKQUEL (Released to Theaters USA 2009)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel—improves on its prequel—has better writing, story, and acting than the first movie. It adds interest by including female chipmunks which adds appeal to the basic story. This is an enjoyable watch.  Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb Storyline  Dave Seville gets injured and while in the hospital tells the chipmunks that he wants them to go to school and the story is on.      Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Betty Thomas for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Janice Karman and Ross Bagdasarian Jr. for making the film possible. Cast includes Zachary Levi, David Cross, Jason Lee, Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler, Jesse McCartney, Amy Poehler, Anna Faris, and Christina Applegate.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a suitable family watch that serves all age groups' needs. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

 

THE EMOJI MOVIE (Theatrical Release USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.0|5.0 Starsììì

The Emoji Movie—good concept, great voicing—becomes quickly unrelatable. The main difficulty appears to be the use of the Meh Emoji for filling character cast. While Despicable Me works on every level, the same approach to this story falls flat. There needs to be more thought put into the character development to push this film into the watchable class.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Gene (voice of T.J. Miller), an emoji who does not behave in the ‘normal’ manner, becomes targeted by bots determined to eliminate and destroy based upon his unpredictable facial responses.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Tony Leondis for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Ben Waisbren for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Hi-5 (voice of James Corden), Jailbreak (voice of Anna Faris), Smiler (voice of Maya Rudolph), Mel Meh (voice of Steven Wright), Mary Meh (voice of Jennifer Coolidge), Poop (voice of Patrick Stewart), Akiko Glitter (voice of Christina Aguilera), Flamenca (voice of Sofía Vergara), Spam (voice of Rachael Ray), ‘Devil’ Steven (voice of Sean Hayes), Alex (voice of Jake T. Austin), and Addie (voice of Tati Gabielle).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The concept promises a GREAT movie, but the story falls flat.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS (Theatrical Release USA 2009)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs is an okay/suitable film. The animation is great. The concept of food raining from the sky is novel but the movie borders on boring. It's interesting to see Mr. T in the casting credits.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Young inventor Flint Lockwood (voice of Bill Hader) wants to help economically depressed Swallow Falls, his hometown. He invents a machine that takes two parts of hydrogen and one part of oxygen and turns it into food that accidentally rains from heaven.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Phil Lord and Christopher Miller for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Yair Landau for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Sam Sparks (voice of Anna Faris), Tim Lockwood (voice of James Caan), Baby Brent (voice of Andy Samberg), Mayor Shelbourne (voice of Bruce Campbell), Earl Devereaux (voice of Mr. T), Cal Devereaux (voice of Bobb’e J. Thompson), Manny (voice of Benjamin Bratt), and Steve (voice of Neil Patrick Harris).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The film is creative but at times that creativeness is swamped by a weak storyline that has significant flat spots.  

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers