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Alvin And The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel

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Stars: Zachary Levi, Jason Lee, Justin Long

Director: Betty Thomas

Rated: PG

Showing: Liberty Theatre - Today 1:30/4:30/7; Christmas Eve 1:30; Boxing Day and Sunday 2:30/5:30; Monday 2:30; Tuesday to Thursday 1:30/4:30/7:30

Runtime: 88 minutes

Animation/family/comedy

The cuddly singing trio returns for another fun-filled family film for the festive season - one crammed with music and gags little kids will love.

During a Chipmunks concert, their manager and father figure Dave is injured and ordered to stay in hospital to rest.

He leaves the boys in the care of his 20-something slacker cousin Toby with instructions they put aside musical stardom and start school.

Mixing with their human classmates and coping with their studies is tough - and on top of that they are charged with saving the school's music programme by winning the $25,000 prize in a battle of the bands.

The contest is further complicated when it turns out their biggest rivals are cute female chipmunks The Chipettes, Brittany, Eleanor and Jeanette.

The CGI chipmunks look great and blend seamlessly into the live action.

There is lots of humour for youngsters and enough to keep adults amused - although the squeaky singing does begin to grate.

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