HCA Gradebook: “Firestarter”
April 21, 2023
HCA Gradebook: “Downton Abbey: A New Era”
April 23, 2023
Film: Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers
Plot: Thirty years after their popular television show ended, chipmunks Chip and Dale live very different lives. When a cast member from the original series mysteriously disappears, the pair must reunite to save their friend.
Cast: Andy Samberg, John Mulaney, KiKi Layne, Will Arnett, and J.K. Simmons
Director: Akiva Schaffer
Release Date: May 20, 2022
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
HCA Overall Grade: B+
Tessa Smith says, “Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers is an absolute blast from start to finish. Jam-packed with cameos, this film has a Who Framed Roger Rabbit “real life” feel. John Mulaney and Andy Samberg are perfect as Chip and Dale. The references, cameos, and Easter Eggs are worked into the story in a way that makes it hilarious — and doesn’t come off as annoying fan service. A movie that is truly fun for all ages.”
Grade: A-
Joel D. Amos says, “This is absolutely the Samberg and Mulaney show, and each brings their “A” game. Mulaney shines. There’s something about his seemingly effortless delivery that appears to require very little of the actor. In fact, it is just the opposite. There’s a charm and panache to his Chip that is irresistible. His partner in crime, so to speak, Samberg is clearly having a ball tackling Dale. The star of the Double “O” Dale pilot that never took off still doesn’t quite see his role in breaking up the dynamic duo all those years ago. But that is one of the solid aspects of this film is its ability to work in a lesson or two for the youngsters ever so subtly. Here, making amends for personal choices and actions and recognizing their effect on others, is a powerful thing to learn via a couple of animated chipmunks.”
Grade: B
Rachel Wagner says, “It all comes down to the script by Dan Gregor and Doug Mand, which is chocked full of gags and laughs that particularly animation fans will go gaga for.”
Grade: A-
Francisco Cangiano says, “Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers is pretty awesome! As a fan of the original TV series, I genuinely had a blast catching up with these characters. Enjoyed the sharp meta-humor and hybrid animations style – a la Roger Rabbit with some (PG) Lonely Island flavor. Also, the easter eggs are insane and hilarious.”
Grade: B+
John Nguyen says, “Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers is nostalgic and there are loads of Easter eggs, cameos, and pop culture references throughout that will excite animation fans. You can lose sight of the story because of so much going on, but it’s a fun time with the rodents.”
Grade: B-
Tom O’Brien says, “Even as a cartoon-loving kid, I found Chip ‘n Dale to be incredibly annoying, so the prospect of a feature-length film of their antics summoned untapped feelings of deepest dread in my soul. To my utter shock, however, Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers is not only consistently hilarious but shines as a slyly perceptive satire of movie animation today. Credit Andy Samberg, John Mulaney, and the Lonely Island crew for offering us one of the most delightful surprises of the 2022 film year.”
Grade: A-
Yael Tygiel says, “Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers is unexpectedly entertaining and quite adorable. Whether you’re familiar with the original property or not, there’s something enjoyable for everyone. With a mix of live-action and animation, could be the new Roger Rabbit? Hard to say, but it’s definitely a fun ride, aimed at millennials more so than actual children, and worth a watch. Additionally, Chip ‘n Dale is so full of cameos and easter eggs, it may require multiple viewings to catch them all, and since I already have Disney+ I don’t even mind.”
Grade: B
Wendy Lee Szany says, “The funniest movie I’ve seen this year! It’s great to see the duo back on the big screen and even though it’s being released on Disney+, I wish this was a theatrical release. So many great easter eggs and cameos in this. A definite must-see.”
Grade: A
Erik Anderson says, “A madcap dash of jokes, homage, and hilarious fun. It’ll require repeat viewings for all of the cameos and fake movie billboards (‘Lego Miserables’ was prob my favorite) but it’ll be worth it. John Mulaney and Andy Samberg are perfect as Chip and Dale.”
Grade: B+
Debbie Elias says, “We haven’t seen “cartoon” satire/parody/tongue-in-cheek executed this well since the days of Looney Tunes and the result is pure laughter. Energetic, fun, and funny, Chip ‘n Dale is an absolute uproarious delight! Akiva Schaffer delivers one of the brightest cinematic spots of the year! Initially doubtful of not only a reboot of the beloved Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers franchise, but one with visual stylings melding 2D and 3D altering the very look of our heroes, within minutes I was beyond impressed with the result. Tipping a hat to Who Framed Roger Rabbit? with cartoon characters living alongside humans, this is a visual joy with animators and cinematographer Larry Fong giving us one visual delight after another with B&W, mo-cap, and stop-motion while roasting the entertainment industry with backgrounds and billboards, not to mention cartoon cameos (and not just Disney stars!). A big surprise is the depth of emotion that extends beyond the nostalgia factor. Voicing is exceedingly well cast and well done with Eric Bana a standout as Monterey Jack along with JK Simmons as Captain Putty. And of course, what would this be without Jim Cummings voicing some of the most beloved characters in Disney animation history! Chip ‘n Dale is rescued, reinvigorated, and ready for a sequel.”
Grade: A+
Daniel Howat says, “Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers is an endless barrage of meta-jokes and references, but it’s absolutely funny enough to work. It kept me laughing out loud more times than I expected. I’m really not sure who this movie is for though. Kids won’t get the self-referential jokes, which make up 85% of the movie. The story is also weirdly dark, so it’s not for little kids. And it also doesn’t resemble the cartoon show much at all. Regardless, I enjoyed the film thanks to the rapid-fire jokes that kept me laughing. It’s a pretty generic kids crime caper, but this hyper blast of nostalgia is a lot of fun!”
Grade: B+
James White says, “Clever, funny, and bursting with imagination, Rescue Rangers blasts past your bog-standard nostalgia trawls by finding something to say about the characters and the situation. Engaging voice performances mean the jokes work on more than one level, while a story that layers a basic mystery tale with emotional turns makes the idea a winner. The sheer volume of cameos, call-backs and creative references might have overwhelmed a less talented creative team, but the Lonely Island gang, teamed with Crazy Ex-Girlfriend writers Dan Gregor and Doug Mand, navigate it all with aplomb.”
Michael Lee says, “Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers may not be perfect but it has the right amount of fun and nostalgia. It’s also a safe gateway to Lonely Island comedy.”
Grade: B-
Anthony Digioia says, “I was delightfully surprised by Rescue Rangers! I watched the cartoon growing up and this unpredictable adventure locked me in from minute one and was so much fun! It’s filled with action, charisma, friendship, and nostalgia. It’s a visual buffet of animation and live-action with precision delivered self-referential humor.”
Grade: A
Don Shanahan says, “Aged appreciation and fanboy zest comes through in this movie as well as brazen spirit. Rather than play out an easy reunion with some massive globe-trotting caper, the screenwriters stick to Hollywood and the wedge of dichotomy that split our two title chipmunks and kept them from talking to each other for three decades. Every nostalgic note or easy joke is cleverly wrapped with a candy-coated shell of self-awareness and a lingering implication of something bigger afoot that may not be as sweet as the outside.”
Grade: C+
James Oster says, “Having not grown with Chip ‘n Dale I wasn’t completely moved by this one. It has moments and the cameos are occasionally fine. The human cast is solid and the script is better than one would expect. Still not completely impressed. It’s a fine movie to watch on Disney Plus.”
Grade: B-
Alexander Robinson says, “Sometimes a movie comes out where you weren’t sold on the trailers, but the final product ends up being a huge surprise. Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers is very much that movie for me and the closest there will ever be to the next Who Framed Roger Rabbit?. Set in the modern-day and updated with the current trends of animation, it has a more satirical edge to it but still manages to be fun and full of heart. The script is very clever and even though the voices of John Mulaney (Chip) and Andy Samberg (Dale) aren’t at a higher pitch, it’s nothing you ever think about because their chemistry and the writing is spot on. Fans of the original show will fall in love with it, and those who didn’t grow up with the Rescue Rangers will still have a really great time with it.”
Grade: A-
Scott Menzel says, “Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers is absolutely brilliant. I have no clue how director Akiva Schaffer and writers Dan Gregor and Doug Mand got away with what they got away with in this film but the entire thing is just so refreshingly bold and hysterical. It’s a shame that this won’t be playing in theaters. Easily the best film ever to debut on Disney Plus. A cult classic in the making.”
Grade: A
Zachary Pope says, “Holy yes! Rescue Rangers is the best live-action reboot that Disney has done yet. I found myself laughing out loud multiple times. This is how you do a reboot, bringing the comeback of the century. The cameos??? Shocking and incredible. My comfort film of 2022.”
Grade: A
Rick Bentley says, “This clever melding of animation styles works because it mixes a heavy dose of nostalgia with some wickedly clever writing. Never thought I would have so much sympathy for “Ugly Sonic.” This is definitely a film that needs to be watched multiple times to pick up all of the cartoon jabs and stabs.”
Grade: B
Ryan McQuade says, “Director Akiva Schaffer and company deliver the biggest surprise of the year, as well as one of the best comedies in recent memory. With tons of humor and heart, Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers is a highly entertaining experience that will demand multiple rewatches to catch every zany joke.”
Grade: B
Matt Neglia says, “Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers exceeded all of my expectations. Genuinely hilarious with sharp self-referential humor and criticism directed at the current state of animation and showbiz. Fondly reminded me of Who Framed Roger Rabbit? in its style and execution. I wish I saw it with a crowd.”
Grade: B
Sara Clements says, “Having never seen Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers the TV show, the film managed to still entertain. It’s a treat when something so established can capture the enjoyment of someone newly exposed to it. The cameos and commentary on animation and Hollywood itself were hilarious and so fun to dig into in this way. I think this will go down as one of the year’s best surprises.”
Grade: B+
Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers is now playing on Disney+
