Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked

A Sarah Palin joke? A Charlie Sheen wisecrack? Is this a Chipmunks movie or a Letterman monologue?

As current as a Lady Gaga cover, if not quite as relevant, Alvin and the Chipmunks "Munk up" for their third digitally animated turn on the big screen -- Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chip-Wrecked, a Cast Away takeoff that parks the three chipmunks, their three Chipette counterparts and their human family on a deserted island.

Most adults would sooner gouge their eyes out than sit through these kids' films. But for captive parents in need of a reference point, Chip- Wrecked is twice as funny at the last film, 2009's The Squeakquel. And the return of Jason Lee as Dave Seville, the rodent wrangler who keeps our pop-singing ground squirrels in line, gives the picture a hint of the heart that made 2007's Alvin and the Chipmunks work, at least for its intended audience.

(Full review)