On this Animation Monday on a Tuesday, let’s talk about a European import cartoon that is somehow saving the butt of Nickelodeon, ratings wise! ALVINNN!!! and the Chipmunks is a French-American CGI-animated television series featuring Alvin and the Chipmunks and The Chipettes that was first announced in 2010. After a 25-year hiatus, the premiere of this series marks their first television appearance together since 1990. The show premiered on Nickelodeon in the Untied States in August, and I wanted to talk about this cartoon.
For starters, to watch a few episodes I had to torrent the show, since Cable One here in Anniston has removed all the Viacom channels including Nickelodeon. I found the opener as kind of stale. I mean, who puts the company who animated the cartoon in the very beginning? I hoped they also chose a different theme song other than the classic 1980’s cartoon. But they did not! A comparison between the old and new intros are below.
Now to the character designs. I found them a lot better designed than the 1980’s version. I mean, in the 2015 version you can tell that they are chipmunks. The fur around their noses and their tails were good add-ins to the designs! Yeah, this is a CGI computer animated cartoon, like most other new cartoons on TV today. The animation for the background stuff was done very good. It’s an improvement to the 1980’s version.
Now for the storylines, each episode has two 11 minute episodes. You get to hear a song in each episode, and the storylines are in modern times, or the 2010’s. Things like technology issues, school bullying, and love are dealt with. Now, why are the chipmunks in grade school while The Chipettes are working at the school, at least that is what I saw while watching a few episodes. It also says that Dave is raising six chipmunks, I guess The Chipettes live in their little home on Dave’s property while The Chipmunks are less mature.
I thought the storylines were okay. I mean, I think they are better than the 1980’s version, but I did not see them interacting with fans, or singing in concerts like in the 1980’s version, it was mostly like a modern comedy where the only settings are Dave’s home and school, most of the time. If there is another season, I would love to see some storylines that does not involve embarrassing moments. I mean, being in love with the principal or turning a teddy bear to the dark side are embarrassing moments. The interactions between the Chipmunks, Chipettes, and the humans are good as well. I love how the teacher just ignores Alvin’s pranks at times.
So, I thought that ALVINNN!!! and the Chipmunks was an okay cartoon. I can’t catch it because Nick is banned here. I think that Bagdasarian Productions and OuiDo! Productions put together a cartoon the kids will enjoy, but the adults will have a somewhat hard time sitting though. I am sure that Nickelodeon has enjoyed picking up this show, because each episode is averaging around two million viewers, which makes it one of the highest rated shows on the entire network. Judging by this, people are not tired of Alvin and the Chipmunks.
Learn more at: http://www.nick.com/alvin-and-the-chipmunks/
