Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet the Wolfman (2000)

 

Okay, today is more of a family friendly Halloween. I don't think I'm watching anything today (except perhaps some of "Halloween" (1978) on Shudder) that isn't with family. I didn't even know this animated film (cartoon with musical numbers here and there; I think I counted three) existed but Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet the Wolfman (2000) and "Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet Frankenstein" (1999) were available on Starz / Encore Family, so I recorded them to watch with my son. "...Meet the Wolfman" is fun enough. Dave and the Chipmunks live next door to Lawrence Talbot, a new arrival. Alvin has been having nightmares about the Universal Monsters pursuing him, so he can't sleep well. Eventually Dave realizes all the dolls and posters must go and Alvin will need to swear off monsters cold turkey. Unfortunately, Theodore is bitten by Talbot when he was in werewolf form and eventually becomes a "werewolf puppy" during full moons much to the chagrin of Simon and Alvin. Alvin sees an advertisement for Madame Raya, plugging her Monster Guide, and Alvin researches werewolves, believing Talbot (complete with wolfshead cane and haughty attitude) is one. Simon reluctantly agrees to help Alvin prove or disprove it, realizing the truth when Theodore turns werewolf at nights, keeping them awake and tearing into things around the bedroom. Thanks to the association with Universal Studios, the little 70 minute film is allowed to have the Talbot name, the wolfshead cane, and even the "even a man who is pure at heart..." iconic "Old Gypsy Lady" Maleva werewolf quote is mentioned. You do get Talbot at the end as a snarling, furry, fully transformed creature, freaking Dave out, eventually on stage at a Halloween school play, while a subplot has Theodore actually developing a spine, becoming a rather bullying, confidant, bossy star of the play as Mr. Hyde while Simon is Dr. Jekyll and Alvin dresses as a lady in order to keep an eye on him as the full moon causes quite a disaster on Halloween night. The animation is from Japanese Tama Productions, not bad work at all. I watched this specifically for the werewolf subject matter. My son did enjoy it. Theodore roughing up a bully who took his sandwiches and just generally made his life miserable and developing an attitude, quite out of character since he's always timid and sweet, is an interesting change of pace. But most of the werewolvery is around Theodore as a werewolf puppy being a nuisance to his chipmunk brothers. This celebrated its 20th anniversary this year to zero fanfare because I don't know of anyone who remembers it. I sure didn't. I'll give it a solid 2.5/5