Your favorite animated chipmunks are back with the Disney+ reboot of the popular 90’s series Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers. This time, however, it’s not a series but a movie that reunites the eponymous rodents with their old gang to save a friend. Critics had the opportunity to preview the live-action/animated film ahead of its May 20 release Disney+ subscribers. The trailer makes it seem like viewers are expecting quite a bit mad, meta madnessbut what do the reviews say?
John Mulaney and Andy Samberg star as the titular duo, directed by The Lonely Island’s Akiva Schaffer. Along with as Saturday night live veterinarians in the lead roles, Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers features an impressive cast with the likes of Will Arnett, Keegan-Michael Key, Tim Robinson, Seth Rogan and JK Simmons to name a few. Let’s take a look at what the reviews are saying about the Disney+ reboot, starting with CinemaBlend’s review of Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers.
Our very own Mike Reyes gives the film a 3.5 star rating out of 5 and says it takes its PG rating to the max and nods to the nostalgic ’90s vibe while still staying firmly in the present. It’s a reboot spoofing reboots, and it does it right:
With a selection of humor to appeal to everyone in the audience, Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers is hilarious while being family-friendly. Die-hard fans of the show may be left wondering whether or not a romantic pairing would actually work in the Rescue Rangers cast. Younger/newer viewers who don’t get the joke needn’t worry too much about the matter as the next hilarious moment is right around the corner. That’s perhaps the best thing about Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers, as it’s a film that honors its past, but not so much that it doesn’t allow itself to take risks.
Petrana Radulovic from polygon says in a restart-weary world, this film is a refreshing antidote. The jokes are funny, the nostalgia is fun, and the movie strikes a good balance of being sweet but not sugary and spicy but not mean:
Most of the plot is just taking Chip and Dale to another fun place, introducing another surprising character, or cracking another clever joke about Hollywood. And that’s really all right. The heartwarming closing message about friendship is on par with other family movies and not so sweet that it drowns out the witty jokes.
While many critics seem to think the Disney+ original will appeal to both kids and their parents, the AV club‘s Courtney Howard thinks it misses the mark on both ends and rates it a C-, predicting this film will fade from our memories like the series did over 30 years ago:
The humor is too mature for teenagers whose familiarity and affinity with the original series is barely apparent, while at the same time too tame for adults craving that dopamine hit of nostalgia. Though the film takes its irreverence to heart, the story told - about two estranged friends who learn to be friends again while reassembling their squad - is shallow and familiar, even if the details are unique.
Charles Pulliam Moore of The edge agrees with the above review and says the film feels like it’s not sure what it wants to be. The meta-humor falls flat for this critic, and instead of coming across as self-deprecating humor, it just serves as a reminder of Disney’s gargantuan power probably looking for crossover opportunities:
There’s a certain charm to the idea of classic Disney characters like the little mermaid flounder washing up on the wall dodging banknote collectors. But each of Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers’ self-deprecating jokes carries the unmistakable smack of a megacorp trying to make jokes about itself that just don’t work because they came out of the Disney characters’ mouths. By making fun of himself, Chip ‘n Dale inadvertently illustrates how powerful a company like Disney is and how easily that power can lead to over-the-top nostalgia grips that seem like ominous signs of metaverses to come.
Kate Erbland from IndieWire Grades Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers a B saying it’s clever rather than downright funny, but a welcome reminder that reboot culture can still bring fresh ideas to the table. However, this review warns that adults are more into it than little ones:
The remake culture has absolutely gone haywire in recent years, and if Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers exists to prove that old stories really do have new life, it’s exactly the kind of memory Hollywood needs asap must hear. Just don’t expect the younger crowd to go crazy, at least not yet.
The critics presented a few different angles that audiences could see this film from, and if it sounds like something you and your family might enjoy - and you don’t have to wait long or travel far to check it out. Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers Premieres Friday, May 20 on Disney+. While you can enjoy this and others Disney+ Movies from your own living room, be sure to check out ours 2022 film release schedule to start planning your next visit to the theatre.