--- title: "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/alvin-and-the-chipmunks-the-squeakquel/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/alvin-and-the-chipmunks-the-squeakquel" critics_score: 39 critics_reviews: 9 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (2009): what the critics said Critics' score 39 from 9 reviews: 1 positive, 3 mixed, 5 negative. Most critics dislike it, and only one is prepared to recommend it. The praise, such as it is, clusters on the effects: several reviews note that the computer-animated chipmunks sit convincingly among the live actors, and that the bickering between the two sets of rodents gives the film its liveliest stretches. Variety is the lone positive voice, finding it frenetic but funny with some nostalgia for grown-ups, and Radio Times has a kind word for Justin Long and Christina Applegate. Where they part is on how much to mind. The mixed reviews settle for bland but harmless, a serviceable babysitter over the holidays. The negatives go further. The Guardian finds the shrill soundtrack close to unbearable and objects to how the Chipettes are presented; Slant calls it brain-dead, citing the thin story, wall-to-wall pop and fart jokes; Empire thinks Alvin an unsympathetic lead. Two reviews are only partly visible, though one is a one-star rating. Nobody argues it is for anyone over ten. ## Variety — Joe Leydon Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 21 December 2009. The critic finds the sequel frenetic but funny, with broad appeal for children and some nostalgic charm for older viewers. He praises the persuasive, technically accomplished interplay between the live-action cast and CGI chipmunks. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2009/film/markets-festivals/alvin-and-the-chipmunks-the-squeakquel-1200477818/) ## Screen Daily — Brent Simon Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2010. The review text is hidden behind a paywall, so its verdict is unavailable. The article’s praise or criticism cannot be determined from the visible page. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/alvin-and-the-chipmunks-the-squeakquel/5009082.article) ## Radio Times — Sue Robinson Rating 3/5. The review finds the sequel’s most successful element is the lively banter between rival chipmunks. It praises Justin Long and Christina Applegate for bringing energy to the lead performances. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-vmqbdi/alvin-and-the-chipmunks-the-squeakquel/) ## The AV Club — Nathan Rabin Rating C-. 23 December 2009. Rabin finds the film cheerfully bland and barely adequate, though serviceable as a babysitter. He singles out its recycled high-school clichés and contractually obligated performances for criticism. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/alvin-and-the-chipmunks-the-squeakquel-1798207656) ## The Hollywood Reporter — The Associated Press Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 20 December 2009. The critic finds the sequel stale and uninspired, though it may still offer families harmless holiday entertainment. They praise the chipmunks’ seamless integration into the live-action scenes through improved CGI. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/alvin-chipmunks-squeakquel-film-review-93815/) ## Empire — Kim Newman Fi1m's normalised score 20/100 (inferred from the text). 21 February 2009. Newman finds the film disposable and says Alvin makes an unsympathetic lead. He singles out Alvin’s squeaked-up De Niro impersonations as especially unhelpful. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/alvin-chipmunks-squeakwel-review/) ## The Guardian — Catherine Shoard Fi1m's normalised score 20/100 (inferred from the text). 17 December 2009. Shoard gives the film a strongly negative verdict, finding its shrill sound nearly unbearable. She also objects to the franchise’s sexualized presentation of the Chipettes. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2009/dec/17/alvin-and-the-chipmunks-the-squeakquel) ## Time Out — Derek Adams Rating 1/5. 15 December 2009. Time Out gives the film a one-star rating, indicating a negative verdict. The available page information does not reveal what the critic singles out for praise or complaint. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/alvin-and-the-chipmunks-2-the-squeakquel) ## Slant Magazine — Jason Clark Fi1m's normalised score 10/100 (inferred from the text). 22 December 2009. The critic pans the film as a dispiriting, brain-dead sequel. They single out its paper-thin story, relentless pop music, and crude fart humor for criticism. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/alvin-and-the-chipmunks-the-squeakquel/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/alvin-and-the-chipmunks-the-squeakquel.md