The Squeakquel follows on from the hit film Alvin and the Chipmunks (2007), where the three adorable chipmunks meet frustrated songwriter David Seville (played by Jason Lee) and whilst wrecking havoc in his house, the chipmunks impress him with their unique vocals and soon become Dave’s fast track to success once again, gaining human and chipmunk’s praise alike.

In the sequel, the now famous pop sensations Alvin, Simon and Theodore decide to take a break from their music stardom to return to school and whilst at school they take it upon themselves to save the school’s music program, by battling it out against other bands to win a large cash prize. Little do they know, they’re against some tough and pretty stunning competition – The Chipettes – Brittany, Eleanor and Jeanette. Cue romance, sparks, and musical mayhem as the two bands battle and flirt it out. Find out what happens when the Chipmunks fall in lurveee with their female counterparts, will the Chipettes fall for the Chipmunks who are sauve, geeky and chubby-cute?

Directed by Betty Thomas who is an actress herself and having also directed numerous TV shows, is responsible for  CGI-ing fluffy, adorable characters onto the big screen. She collaborates with the actors for the human characters Zachary Levi and David Cross, the voices of Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler and Jesse McCartney for the male trio, and the voices of Amy Poehler, Anna Faris and Christina Applegate for the female trio.

Although the trailer brings smiles all round and the lady Chipmunk version of “Single Ladies” may just be the cutest thing you’ll see this year, I am worried that the all best bits are in the trailer and that the plot may turn out very predictable.

Check out the furry fun just before Christmas and let us know if you find it ticklishly funny, or not!

The Film Buzz Anticipation Rating: 6/10

Release Date: 21st December 2009

Director: Betty Thomas

Writer’s: Jon Vitti (written by), Jonathan Aibel (written by)

Links: IMDB, Official Site, Rotten Tomatoes

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Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs is an animation film produced by Sony Pictures Animation also released in 3D, following a young inventor who manages to invent a machine that makes food fall from the sky like rain and is based on the children’s book of the same name by Judi Barrett and Ron Barrett.

The film has received very positive reviews from critics – Rotten Tomatoes reported 86% positive on it’s Tomatometer and IMDB received a rating of 7.6/10. At the opening weekend, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs made it to the #1 spot, holding onto that spot for the second weekend too.

The Plot

Flint Lockwood (voiced by Bill Hader) is a young inventor who has always had a passion for inventing things – but they’re usually useless, faulty and often chaotic things. He lives with his fisherman father who despises Flint’s inventing and thinks Flint should help him out at the fisher store instead.  They reside on a small island with no name (because it sits underneath the ‘A’ in ‘Atlantic Ocean’ on the map) and the island starts to go through a very rough patch when the market for sardines dries up and soon all the residents can afford to eat are sardines. Flint decides to bring change to the island and save the people from having to eat only sardines for the rest of their life by inventing a machine that will convert water to any type of food and to be able to activate the machine, he must use a very hilgh voltage of electricity. He then goes to the nearby power station on the day of the grand opening of the Mayor’s (voiced by Bruce Campbell) ’Sardine Land’ adventure park, to test his machine again.

Meanwhile, a new weather intern Sam Sparks (voiced by Anna Faris) has her big break as she is sent to report the events in Swallow Falls. She reports on as Flint’s machine destroys the theme park and flies into the sky, creating storm clouds and finally causing cheeseburgers to rain from the sky.

How will the residents of this island cope with the constant raining of food?

Other members of the voiceover cast include: James Caan, Andy Samberg, Benjamin Bratt and Neil Patrick Harris.

The Thoughts

An extremely unique plot served in a multitude of colours, you’re bound to be dazzled by the animation and the characters are absolutely adorable.  Not forgetting that this is a non-Pixar animated film, it’s the most original and impressive film that has hit the cinemas in that category. I enjoyed this film immensely with a permanent smile on my face all the way through.

Watching it in 3D is a real treat, so why not tuck in?

The Film Buzz Review Rating: 7/10

Release Date: 18 September 2009

Directors:Phil Lord, Chris Miller

Writer’s: Judi Barrett (book), Ron Barrett (book)

Links: IMDB, Official Site, Rotten Tomatoes