“Chip N’ Dale: Rescue Rangers” Review
(From Left) Chip (John Mulaney) and Dale (Andy Samberg) reunite after years apart to solve another mystery in “Chip N’ Dale: Rescue Rangers": a new film available on Disney+.
One of the best things about Disney+ is the unlimited access to Disney films and series that don’t get a lot of play on television. It’s also provided younger generations a way to connect to what their parents watched either on Saturday morning or after school. Among these shows was “Chip N’ Dale: Rescue Rangers” which was a fun, imaginative series about the titular chipmunks using their detective skills to help others alongside a lovable team of oddballs.
While no one demanded a film adaptation to be released in 2022, the Disney+ original “Chip N’ Dale: Rescue Rangers” is a funny adventure that is sure to entertain both adults and children whether or not they’ve seen the original series.
Much like “Who Framed Roger Rabbit,” the film is set in a universe where cartoon characters exist alongside humans. In this universe, Chip (John Mulaney) and Dale (Andy Samberg) starred on the hit series “Chip N’ Dale: Rescue Rangers” in the 1990s until it was canceled because Dale wanted to pursue a solo project. Years later, Chip and Dale must reunite to uncover a case involving missing toons when one of their Rescue Ranger pals Monterey Jack (Eric Bana) goes missing.
Right off the bat, if you like these leading actors, then you are going to have a good time. John Mulaney and Andy Samberg have fantastic chemistry and their comedic timing really works. I also find it hilarious that Chip and Dale’s high-pitched voices were fake and that they both sound like 40-year-olds with distinct voices.
The film’s humor is incredibly witty and is sure to make anyone who sees it laugh hard. For those that are massive fans of animation, “Chip N’ Dale: Rescue Rangers” is full of references and in-jokes that will show just how much love the filmmakers have for these characters. Among the brilliant satirical jokes is Dale getting CGI surgery to resemble a more modern animated character which works really well since Disney has all but abandoned 2D animated films.
Director Akiva Schaffer and co-writers Dan Gergor and Don Mand clearly didn’t make this film to cash in on the reboot craze (I mean, who the hell would reboot “Chip N’ Dale: Rescue Rangers” to make a lot of money). They made it because they love the source material and wanted to tell a funny story with great meta humor.
The satirical nature of this film extends towards its villain: a grown-up Peter Pan (Will Arnett) who starred in the 1953 film. After Peter Pan got older, the studio system essentially abandoned him and he became a bitter crime lord. Not only is this concept incredibly funny, but it’s not too far from what happened to the original actor who played Peter Pan. Do yourself a favor and look up Bobby Driscoll. This kind of humor makes up a good chunk of the film and makes it an enjoyable experience.
While the story might be a fairly simple detective story, that’s not what the film is really about. The film knows what works, its characters and humor, and heavily leans into both of them.
I think the only negative aspect of the film concerns its 2D animation. While the animation looks pretty good for the background characters, the 2D animation for Chip is kind of awkward since it looks like a computer puppet instead of a flowing 2D character. It’s not laughable, just a bit awkward at times.
I’d say that the filmmakers should have paid attention to “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” but this is the same studio that made the film and really mastered combining hand-drawn animation with live-action. You would think that the same company would have improved it three decades later.
Overall, “Chip N’ Dale: Rescue Rangers” is a clever film that can appeal to people of all ages with clever humor and good characters. As a fan of the original show, I think that this film can really open up the “Disney Afternoon” cartoon shows of the 1990s to a whole new generation.
