They are the three beloved bunch of chipmunks that have burrowed their way into our hearts. Over the past decades, audiences have been entertained by Alvin, Simon, and Theodore along with their adoptive human Dave. The chipmunks continue to demonstrate relevance, specifically around the holiday season. In addition, audiences have seen a slew of television series and animated films since The Alvin Show in 1961.
A new television series on Nickelodeon called Alvinnn!!! and the Chipmunks ran from 2015 to a new generation of chipmunk fans. Nevertheless, the most recent feature-length installment of the dynamic and musical trio comes in live-action form. However, it all started with the 2007 film Alvin and the Chipmunks. Although the film was not well received critically, it did spawn three sequels and a smashing box office return. With a group of talented cast, we got to see the chipmunks in a whole new light.
8 Justin Long as Alvin
Alvin is the front-runner and the star of the show. Justin Long is a modern and known voice of this generation, but his voice is unrecognizable as per the edits and sound design. Nevertheless, Alvin is the leader of some of the misfortunes that he and his brothers get into. He is at the forefront of Dave’s cries, especially when they are simply his name in a somewhat angered tone. Alvin is charming but also a bit self-centered, which causes a bit of a rift in the 2007 film.
Justin Long is known for his work in various horror films like Drag Me to Hell and Barbarian and comedies like DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story and Pineapple Express.
7 Matthew Gray Gubler as Simon
Former star of Criminal Minds, Matthew Gray Gubler, provides the voice of Simon. This chipmunk is the brains of the operation and values morality and the “status quo,” contrasting his brother Alvin. Simon is a bit condescending, but in the films, it is played for laughs. He is easily distinguishable, wearing blue and oversized glasses which aid in his scientist-like persona.
In addition to Criminal Minds, Gubler was also in the films (500) Days of Summer and Suburban Gothic.
6 Jesse McCartney as Theodore
The name Jesse McCartney would not normally connect to chipmunks prior to the 2007 film. However, the pop icon voiced Theodore, the most adorable chipmunk of the trio. Theodore’s childlike innocence presents a bit of sweet naivety to the bunch. He is shy and sweet, but also gullible to a fault. In the films, Alvin takes some advantage of Theodore’s kindness and Theodore often suffers from nightmares, accentuated by his brother.
McCartney has also had roles in the Tinker Bell movies and Chernobyl Diaries.
5 Jason Lee as David "Dave" Seville
David Seville is the human relatable character in the 2007 film. Dave is played by one of the juggernauts in Kevin Smith’s View Askewniverse, Jason Lee. Lee adds a bit of fatherly charm to the role of Dave while taking on the impossible task of acting to invisible chipmunks. Dave is the father of the chipmunks and acts as their manager and gets their foot in the door with record companies.
Throughout the film, Dave is a bit apprehensive and distant from the chipmunks. However, by the end, he embraces them as his children and warms up to them, despite calling out to Alvin in the classic Dave fashion.
Jason Lee previously voiced Syndrome in The Incredibles and Charlie in We Bare Bears.
4 Cameron Richardson as Claire Wilson
Cameron Richardson appeared in popular series such as Shameless and portrays Claire in Alvin and the Chipmunks. Claire Wilson is the love interest to Dave throughout the film in a relationship that is sometimes foiled by Alvin’s mishaps as well as Dave’s own struggles with commitment. Claire is a successful photographer and aids Dave in rescuing the chipmunks at the end of the film.
Richardson is known for her roles in National Lampoon's Barely Legal, National Lampoon Presents Dorm Daze, and the CBS miniseries Harper's Island.
3 Jane Lynch as Gail
Jane Lynch never fails to provide hilarity, especially in her small roles. She appears as Gail only once in the Alvin and the Chipmunks franchise. She is the head of marketing and acts as Dave’s supervisor. She fires Dave as a result of the chipmunks foiling a marketing presentation. Lynch’s role is short, sweet, and one of the film’s highlights.
The actress is known for her roles in Glee, Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events, and Two and a Half Men.
2 David Cross as Ian
While admitting that this role was only taken for the money, David Cross portrays Ian in all three live-action chipmunk films. Ian, the head of the record label, is the main antagonist of the film and desires fame and fortune at the young artists’ expense. He is an ex-roommate and college classmate of Dave’s and grows more evil as the film goes on. Ian hears the Christmas song and sees dollars and cents, and his greed takes hold in his plot to turn the chipmunks against Dave.
Cross is known for his work in Arrested Development and Dr. Doolittle 2.
1 Janice Karman and Ross Bagdasarian Jr. as Theodore and Alvin (singing voices)
Ross Bagdasarian Jr. is one of the Chipmunk founders. He cameos along with his wife Janice Karman, who are both the original series’ founders and writers. Karman and Bagdasarian provide some uncredited vocals as the singing voices of Theodore and Alvin, respectively. The singing voice is heard in the hit Christmas song, Christmas Don’t Be Late. This song becomes the catalyst to the chipmunks' career and acts as a nod to the original singing voices.
Comments
Post a Comment