Alvin and the Chipmunks

The talented chipmunk trio that rose to superstardom in the ’60s returns in this smash hit, which took the international box office by storm last Christmas. A seamless combination of live action and CGI animation, Alvin and the Chipmunks pops off the screen in a whirl of colors and textures (mostly chipmunk hair), delivering all the bursting visuals that we’ve come to expect from new Blu-ray titles. Our problem was with the audio options: DTS HD MA is the only audio track offered here, which is great news for the few who own the best receivers and players in the market, because they can enjoy the top-notch quality and effects (on the right system, you can pick up chipmunk claws scratching across the floor, Christmas decorations jingling and so much more). But as the majority of consumers don’t have the right hardware yet, they’ll have to settle for the core DTS track, which provides only standard DVD-level audio. Apart from a few high-def trailers, there aren’t any Blu-ray exclusive supplements, which is surprising and irksome considering the movie’s popularity and the disc’s premium price.

Shelf Talk: The family hit of the year is sure to be a smash on both standard and Blu-ray formats, but Fox isn’t taking any chances. The studio’s multi-million-dollar campaign consists of extensive network and cable TV spots, plus placements on Radio Disney, a targeted Hispanic media campaign and online exposure at kid-friendly Web sites. The title’s two national promotional partners are Kellogg’s (images on cereal boxes) and ICEE frozen drinks (collectable Alvin squeeze bottles).