After the disastrous Tom and Jerry movie last year, it’s natural to feel some healthy skepticism towards the mere concept of a Chip ‘n Dale movie. In a post-Alvin and the Chipmunks world, it seems every few years another “modern” iteration of a classic cartoon pops up—for better or more often, for worse. However, in a bonkers showbiz Mad Libs moment, Disney and The Lonely Island are collaborating on a movie. So we have high hopes for Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers.
The upcoming Disney+ film reintroduces us to its titular chipmunks, estranged after their television series ended 30 years ago. Chip (John Mulaney) has left Hollywood behind while Dale (Andy Samberg) is still stuck in the past. And desperate to remain relevant, as his ghastly CGI makeover suggests. However, the pair reunite and channel their fictional characters to find a missing former co-star. And the trailer looks like a lot of fun.
From Borat to the much-maligned Cats movie, this trailer is dripping in pop culture references. And, of course, it features a whole lot of digs at terrible animation styles through the years. (Rightfully so, might I add.) It certainly seems like the movie uses its own nostalgia-centered backdrop to parody nostalgia culture.
Another trailer digs deeper into what is really going on here. There are several toons who are MIA, actually, and they get deep into an investigation. And who could possibly skip another opportunity for this duo’s classic banter with Saweetie’s “Best Friend” blasting in the background?
Here’s the synopsis from Disney:
In Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers, 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 canceled, and Chip (voice of Mulaney) has succumbed to a life of suburban domesticity as an insurance salesman. Dale (voice of Sandberg), 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’s life.
KiKi Layne stars alongside Mulaney and Samberg. The supporting cast, meanwhile, features an absurdly funny group of people. They include Will Arnett, Eric Bana, Flula Borg, Dennis Haysbert, Keegan-Michael Key, Tress MacNeille, Tim Robinson, Seth Rogen, J.K. Simmons, and Chris Parnell. The Lonely Island’s Akiva Schaffer directs a script from Dan Gregor and Doug Mand.
Fingers crossed this goes well so we can look ahead to the sequel, Chip ‘n Dale: Never Stop Never Stopping.
Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers premieres on Disney+ on May 20, 2022.
Originally published on February 15, 2022.
