By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs
There are so many clever jokes and funny sight gags in
"Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers" that you might need to watch this movie at least two or three times to get them all.
The script, penned by
Dan Gregor and Doug Mand, (TV's "Earth to Ned" and "Pretty Smart") is based on the characters Chip and Dale and the popular 1989/90s animated TV series of the same name.
Directed by
Akiva Schaffer ("Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping"), "Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers" combines multiple animation styles including Claymation, 2D, 3D, CGI, and it even blends live human interaction giving it a "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" feel.
In addition to John Mulaney (Chip) and Andy Samberg (Dale) in the title roles, the movie boasts a stellar voice cast that features Eric Bana ("The Dry"), KiKi Layne ("If Beale Street Could Talk" and "Coming 2 America"), Will Arnett (TV's "Murderville"), Dennis Haysbert ("No Exit"), Keegan-Michael Key ("Pinocchio"), J.K. Simmons ("Being the Ricardos"),Tress MacNeille (TV's "Futurama") Tim Robinson (TV's "I Think You Should Leave") and Seth Rogen (TV's "Invincible"), just to name a few. After seeing Rogen’s hilarious star turn as a Viking dwarf, you’ll probably want to re-watch "The Polar Express" again too.
While "Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers" is kid-friendly, the movie seems geared toward adults who grew up on the series. In this reboot, Chip (Mulaney) and Dale (Samberg) haven't stayed in touch with each other since their TV show was cancelled some 30 years ago. They didn’t leave on the best of terms either.
Chip now works as an insurance salesman and Dale is still trying to hold on to his stardom by attending those nostalgia convention events. He even looks different thanks to a bit of nifty CGI surgery. Hey, you never know in Hollywood when that big break might come around or something close to it.
When the chipmunks learn that a former member of the Rescue Rangers, Monterey Jack, (Bana) has mysteriously disappeared they come together to find their cheese-loving friend and soon are out and about reliving their detective glory days along with the help of a devoted fangirl named Ellie (Layne). Together they try to get to the bottom of this kidnapping spree which involves a few famous cartoon characters too.
"Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers" flows with tons of pop culture references and riffs on TV shows and movies. It is a visual delight and will have you laughing throughout it.
"Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers" premieres on
Disney+ May 20, at 3 (ET/PT).
Editor's Note: Be sure to catch my N2Entertainment.net movie talk segment on the Kitty O'Neal Show Fridays at 6:20 p.m. on radio station KFBK 93.1 FM and 1530 AM.
Watch This Trailer For
"CHIP 'N DALE: RESCUE RANGERS"
Lana K. Wilson-Combs is a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA), The American Film Institute (AFI), and a Nominating Committee Voting Member for the NAACP Image Awards.
