Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel

Alvin must be the most unsympathetic lead in any kiddie franchise, and having him do squeaked-up De Niro impersonations doesn't help.

They call this the "squeakquel" and that's about all you'll want to know about a film that remorselessly pulls all the levers of the first highly successful box-office attraction.

Blending CGI and live action, this "squeakquel" to the witless 2007 kids' film proves just how dangerous such technology is when placed in the wrong hands.

The bottom line is that if you're under the age of 10 or you somehow enjoyed the god-awful 2007 original then you are more likely than not to enjoy this one, too.

The film as a whole is only marginally less entertaining than playing roadkill Frisbee.

It's far from the most unpleasant kiddie flick I've sat through this year, although I would be misleading you if I promised you lots of laughs.

This is an acceptable matiné. [Full review in Spanish]

The cinematic equivalent of unwrapping a fruitcake on Christmas morning.

Were they always this boring?