Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers

I’m in shock. I can’t remember the last time a new release so thoroughly upended my low expectations. Chip ‘n Dale are an animated chipmunk duo first introduced in the 1943 cartoon short Private Pluto. I’m familiar with that iteration. However Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers the movie is based on a more recent 1990s version of a TV series that I have never seen. I was expecting a headache-inducing update aimed at young children. I got something far more clever.

The screenplay only takes inspiration from that TV program, then does something wholly unexpected. The story recasts the two chipmunks as cartoons existing within the real-life world of human people. Their shrill squeaks were only a pitch affected while acting. Here their articulations occupy a much lower register. John Mulaney is the voice of Chip who now works as an insurance salesman. Andy Samberg is vocalizing Dale. He’s undergone CGI surgery and is currently working conventions with other animated stars of the past.

Traditionally drawn cartoons are a big part of this world. Many are desperately trying to find work in an industry that increasingly prefers computer graphics. In one hilarious cutaway, Chip and Dale are spotted in the background on an episode of the TV show Full House. The plot is set in motion when their friend and detective teammate, Monterey Jack (voiced by Eric Bana), is kidnapped and risks possibly being subjected to the horror of video piracy. It’s up to Chip and Dale to save him.

Animation combined with live-action has existed since the very beginning of the film business. In 1988 Who Framed Roger Rabbit famously broke new ground and became the gold standard for this technique. That classic inspired a bevy of similar mash-ups attempting to replicate that success, always with diminishing results. Examples include Space Jam, and its sequel Space Jam: A New Legacy, Looney Tunes: Back In Action, and Tom & Jerry: The Movie. I could go on. I only list these examples to illustrate how none has ever approached the wit of Robert Zemeckis’ marvel. This production comes closer than anything in the 34 years since. In fact, Roger Rabbit unexpectedly pops up.

There are a ton of characters referenced within this environment. Many are now working different jobs. A lot of these intellectual properties aren’t even owned by Disney. These include random cameos from My Little Pony and South Park, as well as McGruff the Crime Dog, MC Skat Kat with Paula Abdul, and the ugly version of Sonic the Hedgehog before an internet outcry got him redesigned. There are many other personalities. Look fast for what’s on various billboards and landmarks. You’ll see Butthead is running for Senator and Chun-Li (of the Street Fighter video game) has a star on the Walk of Fame. You’ll need to watch the film more than once to catch them all or be prepared to hit that pause button.

Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers is the funniest movie of the year thus far. It’s also joyful, uplifting, and — most surprising — a sharp sendup of Hollywood. This is directed by Akiva Schaffer (Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping) who frequently collaborates with Andy Samberg (and Jorma Taccone) as part of the comedy trio The Lonely Island. The screenplay from Dan Gregor and Doug Mand (TV’s How I Met Your Mother, Dolittle) pokes fun at a lot of things. The obsession with remakes and reboots (Meryl Streep in Mr. Doubtfire), how ideas are recycled to make films (LEGO Miserables, Waze the Movie), or the way cartoons are superficially modernized using CGI and rap music. That’s ironic because it’s Disney’s reliance on those qualities that had me dismissing this reboot before I had even seen it. Color me surprised. I expected a silly cartoon but I got an intelligent satire.

05-20-22