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The famous trio of singing rodents are back! But this new movie manages to modernize the act while cleverly paying tribute to their amazing 50-year career

There really was a “David Seville” – a man named Ross Bagdadsarian, who in 1958 faced bankruptcy and spent his last $100 on a two-speed tape recorder. His song “Witch Doctor” led to a followup novelty record for Christmas that sold an amazing 4 million copies in just 7 weeks. And “Alvin and the Chipmunks” were born.

The new movie opens with the Chipmunks finally looking like real chipmunks, and they’re singing Daniel Powter’s “You Had a Bad Day” while stuffing acorns into a tree. When an over-confident Alvin loses all the acorns, their personalities start to emerge. (“Let’s take a break,” says Theodore, sweetly.)

But their tree in the forest is soon whisked away to the big city – Los Angeles – and they’re about to meet a struggling song writer who desperately needs a gimmick. Jason Lee from “My Name is Earl” always seems a little dazzled – and that’s before he discovers singing chipmunks are infesting his kitchen.

Throughout the movie, it’s always the chipmunks who get the best lines. (When Seville says he’ll ignore the impossible fact that they’re talking, Alvin retorts, “How’s that working out for you, Dave?”) But Dave discovers that these chipmunks really can make music – and specifically, the song “Funkytown” – and the trio and the songwriter realize they have something special in common.

I wish the CGI effects had been a little more effective. Like the Bullwinkle and Garfield, movies, “Alvin and the Chipmunks” brings these cartoon characters into the real world without becoming real. And film critic Richard Roeper complained that Jason Lee’s acting style doesn’t exactly compliment the computer-animated chipmunks, making it harder to suspend disbelief.

But the script was better than expected, giving each chipmunk a complete character and adding sentimental story elements about whether they’ll find a home with David Seville. There’s a greedy music producer named Ian (played by David Cross) who wants to launch them on a grueling touring career. It’s the earnest Dave who wants to rescue them, arguing that behind all the hijinx, “They’re just kids.” And yes, these chipmunks really do love Christmas.

The address of Dave’s apartment is “1958″, subtly reminding audiences that the Chipmunks have sung his song for nearly fifty years. The closing credits include an impressive montage of record covers from the Chipmunks’ multi-generational career. And of course, there’s a note applauding the original David Seville – for having a real-world faith in his strange singing novelty act.

But ultimately, the chipmunks have always been about music and fun. In a touching scene the Chipmunks win this Dave’s loyalty by singing a doo-wop version of the classic song “Only You Can Make the World Seem Right” while standing in the rain. And then, still standing in the rain, they segue into “Funkytown.” Despite the movie’s flaws, a lot of care went into the characters, the storyline, and even the choice of songs.

The obligatory Hollywood sub-plot isn’t as fun as it could be, and despite the high-pitched voices, the Chipmunk actors could probably have been a little funnier. Still, they found a way to bring the Chipmunks into the 21st century. And what’s Christmas without Alvin and the Chipmunks?