娱乐英语新闻:Chipmunks ready to hit Chinese screens

BEIJING, Feb. 5 --Chipmunks Alvin, Simon and Theodore, three well-loved animation characters, will hit Chinese screens for the first time Monday, with the live-action/ CGI comedy film "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel."

A sequel to the 2007 blockbuster Alvin and the Chipmunks, the film stars Jason Lee as David, with the voices of Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler and Jesse McCartney. In the sequel, the Chipmunks are sent back to school after reaching fame and being taken care of by David's inconsiderate cousin Toby.

At school they meet their counterparts the Chipettes and immediately fall for the three female chipmunks who can also sing and dance. Despite their growing affection, the Chipmunks must put their feelings aside and win the battle of bands against the Chipettes.

Chipmunks Alvin, Simon and Theodore

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel championed the U.S. box office chart the first week it was released in the U.S. late December, reaping 75.5 million dollars, while competing against other family films including Disney's The Princess and the Frog and A Christmas Carol.

By Monday, the film had grossed 209.5 million dollars in the U.S. and 400 million dollars worldwide.

Variety magazine film critic Joe Leydon described the films as "a frenetic but undeniably funny follow-up that offers twice the number of singing-and-dancing rodents in another seamless blend of CGI and live-action elements."