Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers
Published May 30, 2022
Film info
- Title Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers
- Director Akiva Schaffer
- Year 2022
- Run time 1hr 39m
- Genres Mystery, Family, Animation, Adventure, Comedy
- Tagline It's not a reboot. It's a comeback.
In this hybrid live-action/CG animated action-comedy, Chip and Dale are living amongst cartoons and humans in modern-day Los Angeles, but their lives are quite different now. It has been decades since their successful television series was cancelled, and Chip has succumbed to a life of suburban domesticity as an insurance salesman. Dale, meanwhile, has had CGI surgery and works the nostalgia convention circuit, desperate to relive his glory days. When a former cast mate mysteriously disappears, Chip and Dale must repair their broken friendship and take on their Rescue Rangers detective personas once again to save their friend.
Live blog
| Time | Comment |
|---|---|
| 2:44 | Chip has a Knight Rider lunchbox. |
| 6:14 | Paula Abdul dancing with cartoons again, natch. |
| 8:19 | “You’re not second banana. I’m a banana, and you’re just another banana. Two bananas.” |
| 10:12 | Ugly Sonic! |
| 13:59 | “Ooh, a message on my landline. I don’t like that.” |
| 18:32 | CGI surgery seems like a risky idea. |
| 24:28 | “If he’s going to make bad movies, he should make them here, with me.” |
| 32:06 | Love the idea of the uncanny valley being an actual place. |
| 38:25 | LEGO MISERABLES. I would watch the heck out of that. |
| 41:07 | “Thank you for sharing that absolutely bonkers story.” |
| 50:15 | Ugh, I hate it when the next scene is dark even though not enough time has passed. |
| 1:00:13 | Senator Butthead. |
| 1:07:41 | “Ellie could be bad, buuuut she also could be good. My brain hurts.” |
| 1:21:48 | Why does Sonic know the FBI? |
| 1:25:28 | “They Dumbo’d me.” |
Thoughts
I was expecting this to be awful, but the trailer was kinda funny and there were actually good reviews for it, so why not? Actually, it was a riot. It’s one of those absolute fever dream movies where the makers have thrown everything and the kitchen sink in there… but it was hugely entertaining and really worked!
The nostalgia is there, obviously, and I’m sure there are more references I missed than got, but the ones I spotted were excellent. The meta self-aware moments were also good and actually what made the film work - it’s not a great story but they know that and highlight it throughout, so you’re actually more forgiving. I love Andy Samberg, too, and his style fits this so well.
It’s weird and full-on but at the same time fun and frothy, so if you catch it in the right mood, it’s a hit.
Rating: 4 / 5