“Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers” (2022) is an animated comedy film that combines live-action and animation, directed by Akiva Schaffer. The movie serves as a reboot and a continuation of the original “Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers” television series.
The film follows the characters Chip (voiced by John Mulaney) and Dale (voiced by Andy Samberg), who were once successful TV stars in their hit show “Rescue Rangers.” Years after their show’s cancellation, they live vastly different lives. Chip works as an insurance salesman, and Dale has had CGI surgery to stay relevant in the modern entertainment world.
Their former castmate Monterey Jack (voiced by Eric Bana) becomes involved in a series of illegal bootleg films, leading to his mysterious disappearance. Chip and Dale must reunite to save their friend and solve the case. They are joined by Ellie Steckler (played by KiKi Layne), a human police detective who is a fan of the Rescue Rangers and eager to help.
As Chip and Dale navigate their way through the underbelly of the animated film industry, they encounter various characters from different animation eras and studios, including some well-known Disney characters. The film features a host of cameos and references to other films and franchises, creating a rich tapestry of animation history.
The climax of the movie involves a confrontation with the villain, Sweet Pete (voiced by Will Arnett), who is revealed to be Peter Pan, having turned to a life of crime after growing up and falling out of the spotlight. Sweet Pete is behind the bootlegging operation, capturing animated characters and forcing them to act in low-quality knockoff films.
In the end, Chip and Dale successfully thwart Sweet Pete’s plans, rescue Monterey Jack, and reconcile their friendship, which had been strained over the years. The film concludes with the duo deciding to reboot their “Rescue Rangers” show, thus coming full circle and reigniting their careers.
“Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers” received positive reviews for its humor, creativity, and the nostalgic appeal of seeing classic characters in a new light. It was praised for its meta-commentary on the entertainment industry and its blend of different animation styles (IMDb; Wikipedia).