Little Alvin and the Mini-Munks

Little Alvin and the Mini-Munks is a direct-to-video film based on Alvin and the Chipmunks.

This film was produced by Bagdasarian Productions, and was released on DVD in 2004 by Paramount Home Entertainment.

It features live-action and puppetry used for the Chipmunks and Chipettes.

Plot

The movie opens with Lalu, a friend of David Seville's, putting up a banner saying "Welcome Chipmunks" on the porch of her magic cottage. One of her friends, Gilda (a talking cockatoo), believes that having children around is a bad idea. PC (a talking frog who believes he is one kiss away from being Prince Charming) says that his mom used to say "nothing warms up a home like children's laughter".

Dave arrives with Alvin, Brittany, Jeanette, Theodore, Eleanor and Simon. Dave has to go out of town, and Lalu is happy to have six pre-schoolers stay with her and her friends. There are also Sam and Lou, two gophers, report to the viewers at home about the feelings the characters are experiencing. Alvin doesn't like that Dave is gone, and Lalu explains that she felt the same way when she was young. They later play the role of Peter Pan and Captain Hook for a while.

Later, Lalu tells Gilda, Alvin and Brittany a story about a sea serpent attacking a ship, when Simon comes in all wet. Simon explains that the toilet exploded, and it was caused by Theodore. Lalu sees that the toilet is filled with a hair brush, tooth picks, a toy horse, shoes, squeak toys, etc. Gilda tells PC that he was supposed to be watching Theodore. Theodore lies and said it was Gilda (Song: Sometimes I Lie). Lalu explains that she was mad about the toilet exploding, but remembers that we all make mistakes sometimes, and tells Theodore of a time she made a mistake. After hearing this, Theodore tells the truth, and Lalu congratulates him.

As Lalu is readying Eleanor for nap time, Brittany comes in saying that Jeanette stole and ate her lipstick. As PC sings "Rock-a-bye Chipmunk" to Eleanor, Alvin and Simon try to steal a napping Theodore's teddy bear with a fishing line, but Lalu stops them. Alvin explains that he and Simon didn't have any toys to play with, until Lalu opens a shelf full of stuffed animals. Lalu explains to Jeanette that eating lipstick could be a problem - for one, it wasn't hers; and two, lipstick isn't good for your tummy. Jeanette decides to get Brittany another lipstick, but doesn't have any money. Lalu suggests that Jeanette work for her, and she could earn enough money to do so, and Jeanette agrees.

As Jeanettte leaves to get ready, Alvin comes in (dressed as "Super Alvin"), hiding from Simon (dressed as a magician) who demands his cape back. They get into a fight, until Lalu intervenes, and suggests that they figure out a way to take turns with the cape.

Suddenly, Jeanette comes in, dressed in yellow boots, an apron, gloves, a smog mask, ear covers and a feather duster (surprising Alvin and Simon as well), saying that she was ready for work; cleaning everyone's shoes, making Lalu's bed, dusts off the furniture, scrubs the kitchen floor (with sponges tied to her boots), helps with the groceries, and helps Lalu with baking muffins (Jeanette confuses flour with a flower) (Song: I'm So Sorry). Jeanette eventually makes enough money to buy Brittany a new lipstick.

Meanwhile, Simon turns on a fan to help "Super Alvin" fly in the air, but he ultimately falls. Afterwords, Alvin and Simon with his magic, try to bring a dead plant back to live (and it works! with help from Sam and Lou). That night at dinner, they get a call from Dave. The children explain what they did that day, and soon after a story (The Blue Bird), everyone falls asleep in Lalu's bed.

Next day, Alvin and Simon take some tin foil, saying that it will change the face of science forever. As Theodore follows his brothers, Brittany comes in saying that Jeanette stole and dirtied her oven. Jeanette claims she "burrowed" it. She explains that every time she asks for something, Brittany always says no. As Jeanette leaves to clean up the mess, a coin falls from Brittany's pocket. She explains that Tyler (a boy from school) gave it to her, but Gilda comes in and says Tyler's mom called, saying that Tyler lost his coin. Then Lalu explains to Brittany that we sometimes take things that aren't ours because we really, really want them. And also that it is okay to be sad, but it is not okay to take things that aren't ours. Brittany realizes this, and decides to give Tyler back his coin.

Meanwhile, as Lalu and Brittany go to Tyler's to return his coin, Alvin and Simon have used the tin foil to build a spaceship, pretending to be aliens. Theodore wants in on the fun, but his brothers say no, hurting Theodore's feelings (Song: Why Can't We Play?). Feeling sad and mad at the same time, Theodore feels the need to hit Alvin. Lalu shows Theodore something he can hit; a balloon toy. Suddenly, Alvin comes and invites Theodore to play.

As they prepare for a tea party, Brittany explains that she feels much better about everything. Then Jeanette comes in after cleaning Brittany's oven, after which Brittany invites Jeanette to their tea party. Meanwhile, Gilda tries to have Eleanor (the infant) be a "proper lady". As Lalu, Brittany and Jeanette enjoy their tea party, Simon (dressed in tin foil) surprises everyone, chasing off Brittany and Jeanette. Then Alvin (with Theodore and PC on his shoulders, dressed in tin foil as well) surprise Lalu, who takes Eleanor with her as she runs away from the "monster". Sam and Lou (also dressed in tin foil) also surprise Gilda, who faints.

That night, Lalu prepares Alvin for bed, after having some fun with him. Next day, Alvin, Brittany, Jeanette and Simon wake Lalu up to tell her that she's in their band. But Lalu has to decline and take care of Eleanor (Song: Baby Baby Baby). After many attempts, Lalu decides to call the doctor. The reason for her crying is that she had to burp and now needs her diaper changed. Seeing how much time Lalu is spending with Eleanor, Alvin becomes jealous (Song: Dumped for Someone New).

Lalu talks to Alvin, and shows that even though she had to help the baby, she still had plenty of love to go around, ever for Alvin. They decide to have a special time together whenever Eleanor has her nap, and Alvin can help with Eleanor. Suddenly, Dave arrives, having finished his song, and the Chipmunks and the Chipettes offer to help practice (Song: Friends).

Cast

Ross Bagdasarian, Jr. - Dave, Alvin and Simon
Janice Karman - Lalu, Theodore and the Chipettes
Jerry Rees
Lex Lang - PC
Mona Marshall - Lalu's Toilet
Vanessa Bagdasarian

Songs

Ga Ga Goo (Mini-Munks Theme Song)
Sometimes I Lie - Theodore
I'm So Sorry - the Chipettes
Why Can't We Play? - Theodore
Baby Baby Baby - The Chipettes
Dumped for Someone New - Alvin (Simon, Theodore, Brittany and Jeanette sing chorus)
Friends - The Chipmunks and Chipettes
Candlelight Lullaby (Instrumental)

Trivia

This is the only movie in which both Ross Bagdasarian Jr. and Janice Karman appear in live action.
In this movie, the Chipmunks and Brittany and Jeanette are portrayed as pre-schoolers, whereas Eleanor is portrayed as an infant.
Jeanette almost never uses contractions in this movie.