Through cartoons, TV puppet shows, Grammy-winning records and now CG-enhanced movies, Alvin And The Chipmunks have been entertaining kids and giving their parents tinnitus for over 50 years.

When their hapless human guardian Dave (Lee) is hospitalised during a typically rowdy gig, cocky Alvin, speccy Simon and pudgy Theodore are sent to live with his aunt... who is immediately hospitalised.

Left in the dubious care of Dave’s socially challenged cousin Toby (Zachary Levi, TV’s supergeek ‘Chuck’), the trio are plunged into the equally chaotic world of the classroom.

The girls love them; even the Principal is a secret fan. The jocks, however, don’t take kindly to being out-cooled by talking vermin.

As is his wont, Alvin gradually wins them over, though sometimes shamefully at his brothers’ expense. But when the band agrees to represent the school in a big fundraiser, their popularity is sealed.

Until, that is, their sneaky ex-manager shows up demanding a showdown with his latest discovery – the all-singing, all-dancing, all-female Chipettes. But there are some lessons to be learnt as the big sing-off approaches.

Powered by noisy rough ’n’ tumble and CG cutes, the world’s first Squeakquel will have the primary-age set bouncing off the walls.

Elliott Noble