DVD Review: Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Mystery of the Easter Chipmunk

TV Show Info:
Writers: Ross Bagdasarian, Ross Bagdasarian Jr. , and others
Directors: Various
Cast: Ross Bagdasarian Jr., Janice Karman, Nancy Cartwright, Tress MacNeille, Frank Welker
Rating: NR
Studio: Paramount

Release Info:
DVD Release Date: February 10, 2009
Online Availability: Amazon for $11.99

I’ve been watching Alvin and the Chipmunks since the show first premiered in the 1980s. I’m actually quite excited that Paramount has been releasing episodes from the original series nearly every month. The show ran for quite a long time throughout the 1980s. Then there were a series of followup specials that aired in the early 90s. The shows and specials stopped around the time I had my son, and I didn’t really get the chance to share my love of the Chipmunks with him.

Now that I’ve had the chance to review and own several of the DVDs that Paramount has released in the last few years, I’ve finally been able to share this great series with not only my now teenage son, but also my young nephew (who is 4). Everyone in the family, regardless of age, loves the Chipmunks. What’s not to love? It’s a great, entertaining and perhaps even educational (in its message) cartoon series.

I don’t remember seeing any of these episodes when they originally aired though I am certain I’ve seen them. While I’m sure this features an Easter episode in order to put this out so parents will buy this for their kids for the holiday, in truth, there is just one episode that is about Easter. The rest delve into a variety of topics, from Simon’s insecurities about being smart to a very special episode on the Special Olympics. This DVD really could be purchased at any time, Easter or not.

The thing I like so much about Alvin and the Chipmunks is the message this cartoon provides to kids. I feel comfortable letting my son and nephew watch this show. With so much violence on television, it’s nice to have a non-violent, entertaining television show that the kids are going to love. This show is timeless. I loved the Chipmunks as much as they do, and I believe future generations will continue to enjoy the chipmunks, as much as we do.

On a side note, it should be mentioned that this DVD only discusses Easter from an “Easter Bunny” perspective. I know some religious reviewers have felt that this DVD should have delved more into the God aspect of Easter. However, the audience for the Chipmunks is vast. It expands to children and families of all religions, all with different interpretations and meanings for Easter. The way this cartoon entertains with its Easter story is done in a way that is non-offensive to all religions. In fact, religion isn’t even mentioned, so any child from any family type can enjoy this without worry that the DVD will go against their family’s religion.

The Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Mystery of the Easter Chipmunk Plot
While the primary episode is about Easter (and with the holiday approaching it’s just in time), there are four other, non-related episodes from the Alvin and the Chipmunks television series. The primary episode aired in 1995, though the other episodes aired at various times throughout the series, which ran throughout the 1980s. The main Easter episode, was actually an episode special. It aired after the original series, which the other four episodes are from, ended.

“The Easter Chipmunk” – Alvin, Simon and Theodore visit their Grandpa right before Easter. While there, they learn that their Grandpa is the original Easter Chipmunk. While the boys initially don’t believe their Grandpa, Alvin begins to wonder whether he might be telling the truth. When Alvin leaves a present for Mr. Hoppity (the Easter Bunny) in order to get more Easter presents, he learns that Grandpa might just be telling the truth, so he sets out to prove Grandpa is the Easter Chipmunk by suing Mr. Hoppity.

“Snow Wrong” – The Chipmunks and The Chipettes are trying out for the local area play, Snow White. Brittany wants to have the part of Snow White and Alvin wants the part of Prince Charming. Brittany and Alvin have great auditions. They are both given the lead parts by the director, on the spot. The director’s daughter, Tara-Marie finds out that a producer for a new television show is going to be in the audience, so she convinces her father to give her the part of Snow White, instead. The sad part is that Tara-Marie can’t act or sing!

“Special Kind of Champion” – Alvin is having trouble in gym class. He goofs off during track and field. It gets so bad that the Coach has to have a talk with him. He doesn’t understand why Alvin isn’t trying, because he’s done so well with baseball and other sports. Alvin says it is because he isn’t going to be the best. If he can’t win, he won’t even try to run. When the coach gives him a chance to keep a good grade in school by coaching an Olympic athlete, Alvin is thrilled, until he finds out it’s an athlete in the Special Olympics. Louie, a boy with Cerebral Palsy, ends up having something special to offer Alvin and the viewers of this episode instead of Alvin helping him!

“Thinking Cap Trap” – Simon wants to be on a television show for families that are incredibly smart called Genius in the House. He is tired of being the only smart person in the house because everyone interrupts him watching television, inventing things, and studying. This gives him the idea to help his family by inventing a thinking cap. With the thinking cap they become smart enough for Simon to think they are ready to go on the television show. When the thinking cap disappears prior to their appearance, it looks like the game is bound to be a disaster.

“Luck O’ the Chipmunks” – A new student, Mickey O’Dell shows up in the boys’ science class. He shows up to interrupt Simon’s experiment, which makes Simon upset. Mickey is from Ireland and he believes in magic. Theodore makes friends with Mickey and introduces him to the boys. When the other chipmunks want to desert Mickey, he tells Theodore about his leprechaun, Seamus. Theodore wants to be friends with Mickey, but Alvin is more concerned with the “wish granting” leprechauns do, while Simon believes it is scientifically impossible for leprechauns to exist.

Storyline/Plot:
Replayability:
Acting:
Directing:

Audio/Visual:
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Mystery of the Easter Chipmunk comes out and earns the distinction of offering one of the highest video qualities of all of the recent Alvin and the Chipmunk releases. I don’t recall seeing the aspect ratio on the back of the box, though based on the look of this I am gonna guess that it’s 1.33:1. The colors are bright and the video is relatively free of errors. Things look good. There are occasional moments of softness, but as I said, the detail is high and this is by far one of the best Chipmunk DVDs that has been released in recent years.

The video for Easter Chipmunk is Dolby Digital 2.0. The sound was easy to hear with no distortion or other problems. While it was not overly dynamic, I had no problems with the sound that affected my viewing pleasure. The dialogue was easy to hear and the music and sound effects were what you would expect from your average cartoon. There were no sound flaws worth mentioning. Kids should have no problem with anything they hear and the adults watching, should be just fine, too.

Visual:
Audio:

Bonus Features:
Hopefully people that want to buy this will do it for the episodes rather than the bonus features. If you’re buying for the bonuses you might find yourself upset because there are none on this disc.

Bonus Features:

Bottom Line:
The episodes available on the Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Mystery of the Easter Chipmunk DVD are diverse enough to truly show off the many different seasons of this show many of us (now parents ourselves) grew up loving to watch. While there could have been more episodes, and the quality is relatively standard for this DVD, Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Mystery of the Easter Chipmunk is still worth the purchase. Buy this if you’re a fan of the Chipmunks or for your kids. Whoever you buy it for, you (and them) will be sure to enjoy it.

Overall Rating:

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Written by Ashtyn Evans – Visit Website
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Ashtyn is in her early 30s. She is a mother, writer, college student, and music lover. Ashtyn has had a successful career as a writer since 2003. She turned to blogging in 2005. Ashtyn attends Wright State where she is getting a degree in Psychology. She has extensive knowledge in SEO and Social Media Development.