I was totally surprised at how great this film.You could feel your paranoia rise as the film went on and as you gradually learned the details of the real situation.

All that we are seeing on the screen is happening with real people, real action sequences in the background, forcing the eye to watch as if we were there.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

"A Chipmunk Christmas" is a 25-minute television special from almost 35 years ago. Do not be confused by the version that is out there that runs for over an hour. That one is a collector's edition and includes 2 more Chipmunks episodes from the series. This original short film here only runs for slightly under half an hour. I thought this one delivered nicely in terms of comedy, animation and emotion. A mix of everything. No true greatness in any of these areas, but perfectly sufficient for a decent watch around the holidays. The voices of the trio are still tough for me to get used to. They get annoying quickly I must admit and that scene when one of them screams "Money!" several times is almost creepy because of the small one's high-pitched voice. Anyway, it is very bearable and nowhere near bad enough to destroy the film. I enjoyed it and recommend it. Some quality also among the voice actors with Foray and Welker. Thumbs up.

Christmas story where the usually selfish Alvin gives his favorite harmonica to a sick boy named Tommy. Worried Dave will be upset he gave away his harmonica, Alvin starts scheming for a way to make money to buy a new one. Needless to say, things don't go as planned for Alvin. They rarely do. Anybody who likes the Chipmunks will love this cartoon. If you're unfamiliar with the Chipmunks or only know of them from the recent movies, I'm sure you'll still find lots to like here. It's got heart and humor and some nice Christmas songs. Also, even though it deals with Christmas and a sick child, it never gets too syrupy or corny. It's a cute, sweet story that can be enjoyed by kids and adults alike. Give it a shot. I think you'll like it.

Chipmunk Christmas, A (1981) *** (out of 4) Nice holiday film has Alvin learning about a sick child who only wants a golden harmonica for Christmas. Since the kid's parents are too poor to be able to buy it, Alvin just gives him his own not knowing that David has signed him up for a concert where he must use it. Now the chipmunks must try and earn enough money to buy a new one and not let David know. At just around twenty-minutes there's certainly nothing ground-breaking here but there's no denying that it's a cute story and the chipmunk treatment manages to get the message across without it ever being too preachy or in-your-face. I think what works so well here is that the story is told in such a way that it can be enjoyed by not only kids but also their parents. There are some terrific comic moments including a bit where dogs are used as Santa's reindeers and of course a cat comes by for a visit, which ends in disaster. The main reason to check the film out is for its soundtrack, which includes some terrific Christmas songs by the chipmunks. Deck the Halls, Silent Night (harmonica solo), Chipmunk Jingle Bells and It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas are just a few of the terrific songs.

A Chipmunks Christmas was made about a year or two before the TV series started in 1983. The TV show gave the characters a lot more depth, and from the point of view of a British person who's never been to the USA, the cartoon version of America in the TV show that they live in was more believable as America, and not just an odd cartoon world like something in the Looney Toons.Saying that, none of this really matters.What this film does give is a heartwarming and fun story.The story is about a sick boy called Tommy, who wants' a golden echo harmonica for Christmas but his family can't afford it, so Alvin gives away his Golden Echo Harmonica to him.Alvin doesn't want Dave to find out, because he doesn't want him to be offended as the harmonica was a gift from Dave to Alvin. So he has to find a way to make money to buy an identical one so Dave won't ever find out.This means Alvin, comes up with his harebrained schemes to make money, and his usual good humored cheeky jokes and comments.So, if you want a funny and heartwarming Christmas story then this is a good film to choose.