The little critters with the squeaky vocals have been making their own contribution to global tinnitis for around fifty years.

Originally on novelty record and latterly on the small screen, they've now been taken back to basics in this day-glo, big screen, live action yarn.

When we first meet Alvin (bolshie troublemaker), Simon (the speccy, bright one) and Theodore (the wimpy one), they're storing nuts up a tree in some idyllic national park.

Next thing you know, their arboreal gaff has been carted off to form part of the Christmas decorations at the HQ of Los Angeles music giant Jett Records.

At the same time song-writer Dave Seville (Lee) and his latest ditty are getting the brush-off from corporate bigwig Ian Hawke (Cross).

Sneaking a ride home with Dave, the chipmunks have to win him over with a song'n'dance routine after trashing his house in their neverending search for food.

Impressed (as you would be by a troupe of singing woodland animals), Dave writes a song for them and they are bewilderingly signed up by "Uncle Ian" and Jett Records.

It's difficult to fathom what a record company would hear in something you'd only ever experience in a Guantanamo Bay punishment cell.

Heck, the chipmunks aren't even loveable - totalling Dave's house then deserting him when presented with a range of material temptation by the slimy Ian.

There's the usual dreary life lessons about being a dad and the value of loyalty and the decision to include a snippet from Spongebob - a far wittier creation - appears ill-advised.

Nippers will love it (it did incredible opening weekend business in the States) but adults may find themselves idly dreaming of gin traps.

Tim Evans