The trailer to Disney’s live-action-ish feature adventure of Chip ‘n Dale has finally dropped. The studio paired with the comedy group The Lonely Island for the film and it shows. Back in 2021 when the studio announced the chipmunks would be making a comeback in Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers, it was revealed that they would veer into a metalinguistic style.
Set 30 years after their show was canceled, the movie follows Chip (voiced by John Mulaney) and Dale (voiced by Andy Samberg) as has-beens who need to band together once again to save a missing friend. The trailer shows the chipmunks Chip and Dale and their friends negatively affected by fame, including a cheese addiction and unfortunate plastic surgery.
It is an ambitious cross between 2D animation, 3D animation, and live-action. The return of 2D animation will be a refreshing change as 3D has grown to be the dominant art form in major American studios. The animation-live action crossover style is reminiscent of Who Framed Roger Rabbit who also makes a cameo in the trailer.
Additional easter eggs include nods to Indiana Jones and a jab at 2019’s Cats horrifying CGI.
Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers includes a star-studded cast outside of the chipmunks, including KiKi Layne, Will Arnett, Eric Bana, Flula Borg, Dennis Haysbert, Keegan-Michael Key, Tress MacNeille, Tim Robinson, Seth Rogen, J.K. Simmons, and Chris Parnell.
The film’s writers Dan Gregor and Doug Mand have both written for How I Met Your Mother and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, which proves their ability to perform in strange comedy. The film’s director Akiva Schaffer has previously directed 2016’s Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping and is a member of the comedy trio The Lonely Island, founded by Andy Samberg.
Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers premieres May 20 on Disney+.