The Chipmunks we know and love, Alvin, Theodore and Simon embark on a journey across the U.S. and for the first time, they’re on a mission to keep their family together in the fourth instalment of the hugely successful family adventure franchise in “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip.”
In their latest adventure, through a series of misunderstandings, Alvin, Simon and Theodore come to believe that Dave is going to propose to his new girlfriend in Miami…and dump them. They have three days to get to him and stop the proposal, saving themselves not only from losing Dave but possibly from gaining a terrible stepbrother, Miles, played by Josh Green.
The idea of Dave tying the knot doesn’t thrill the boys; in fact, they fear it’ll uproot their lives and maybe uproot them from Dave’s home! Further complicating matters is Sam’s (Dave’s special friend played by Kimberly Willams-Paisley) teenage son, Miles (Green), who has an instant dislike of the Chipmunks.
“Miles is definitely introduced as the classic teenage ‘bad boy,’” says Josh Green. “I also like comparing him to Alvin. Both cause trouble and are loud and harsh. “Everyone has a little Alvin in them,” he continues. “You know, that voice inside that says, let’s go out there and cause a ruckus.”
In the midst of their hostilities, if not all-out war, The Chipmunks and Miles learn they do have one common goal: stop Dave’s wedding to Sam. The ‘Munks are afraid their family will change forever if Dave gets married and, worse, Miles becomes their stepbrother. Miles, says Green “is also not okay with Dave and Sam’s plan of, ‘Let’s get this family together, and we’ll all be happy now.’”
It’s a journey filled with adventure, laughs, music and lots of local color. But director Walt Becker also notes that it’s also about Alvin, Simon, Theodore and Miles finding their way into a kind of blended family. He further points to the film’s new blended family elements as an entryway to this new chapter in the Chipmunks’ lives. It’s no longer just the three boys and Dave Seville. Two new characters a love interest for Dave, and her teenage son enter the scene, and turn the ‘Munks’ life and family topsy-turvy.
“I think the idea of a blended family is one that many people can relate to,” says Becker. “The Chipmunks are always trying to do the right thing, but end up doing it in the wrong way. You can mine a lot of comedy from those family experiences.”
Josh Green is a Bowie Maryland native and began his acting career performing in regional productions of plays, including “The Goat, Or Who is Sylvia?” “Rabbit Hole” and “Columbinus.” After high school, Green moved to New York to study the craft at New York University and pursue acting full time. He quickly branched out into television and film. Green was the guest lead in the pilot episode of ABC’s “Black Box,” and appeared on the critically acclaimed CBS series “The Good Wife” and CBS’ “Unforgettable.” He shared the screen with Emily Van Camp in the feature film “The Girl in the Book,” and will be seen in the independent film “Fair Haven,” where Green stars opposite Tom Wopat. Green recently made his New York stage debut in MCC’s “Lost Girls,” directed by Jo Bonney.
“Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip” opens January 20 in cinemas nationwide from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.