Washington Window: January 2008: Family Films

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By Judy Russell
Washington Window
Vol. 77, No. 1, January 2008

Alvin and the Chipmunks

This is a fun holiday movie that will delight viewers from ages 5 to 95. The live action/CGI film shows the history of the famous chipmunk trio’s career from “forest to rock stars.” Song writer Dave Seville (Jason Lee) befriends the squeaky Simon (voiced by Matthew Gray Gubler), Theodore (voiced by Jesse McCartney) and Alvin (voiced by Justin Long), and later becomes their manager as they present his tunes in their wildly popular and charming style. There are plenty of bumps and turns in the story as recording mogul, Ian Hawk (David Cross) and David’s romantic interest, Claire (Cameron Richardson), join the storyline.

The musical vocals are a blast from the past and will have parents and grandparents singing along to “Christmas Don’t Be Late,” “Witch Doctor,” and other fun tunes from the past. This movie is silly, cute and a wonderful way to spend 90 minutes together.

Rated PG for some very mild rude humor

The Golden Compass

The Golden Compass (which is a truth and future-telling device known as an alethiometer) is based on the first book of Phillip Pullman’s Dark Materials trilogy. Those who have read the book may have an easier time understanding the story since the film has many characters that make quick contributions and then leave, but they also will be disappointed at the removal of many of the more controversial ideas that give the book larger themes and meatier ideas. The role of the church in society is almost absent in the film.

That being said, the production has many wonderful elements: 12-year-old new comer Dakota Blue Richards, who plays a convincing Lyra; Nicole Kidman who plays the controlling Mrs. Coulter (She may give you chills); the extremely realistic digital animals—daemons (people’s soul in external animal form); two polar bears who have a truly amazing fight for the bear kingdom; flying witches who help in the battle to free the children from Magisterium (government) control; and the beautiful, massive snowy mountain scenery.

The idea of a large conspiracy to kidnap children with the intent of severing their spirit from their bodies is frightening, as is the idea that people you trust can turn against you in a violent manner. Young children may not be able to understand but will still feel the tension these events cause. Older children may be better able to identify these actions as fantasy and see the underlying moral message. If you or your family attends this film you may want to plan a discussion time to explore some of the wonderful and some of the more frightening ideas.

PG-13 due to sequences of violence.

Judy Russell teaches music and performing arts at Beauvoir, the National Cathedral Elementary School.

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