Between 1999 and 2005, Bagdasarian Productions released three direct-to-videos based on the '80s Alvin and the Chipmunks series.
The second one came out in 2000, an animated horror-themed film entitled Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet the Wolfman. Like the previous direct-to-video, it was produced by Universal Animation Studios, animated by Tama Productions, and distributed by Universal Studios Home Entertainment.
Alvin thinks of himself as an expert on spooky stuff such as vampires and werewolves, so when a mysterious stranger moves in next door, Alvin's convinced the new neighbor's a werewolf. Then, when Theodore gets bitten by a "dog", he starts chewing socks, eating meaty stuff, and is a lot faster, even Simon thinks something's not right. But at the moment, he is more like a werepuppy. They now have to find a way to cure him before the next full moon, during the school play, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, or else Theodore will become a werewolf forever!
NOTE: Tropes under here are specifically for the 2000 Direct to Video movie.
- Tropes exclusive to the whole franchise go in Franchise.Alvin and the Chipmunks;
- Tropes exclusive to the '60s cartoon series go in The Alvin Show;
- Tropes exclusive to the '80s cartoon series go in WesternAnimation.Alvin and the Chipmunks;
- Tropes exclusive to the 1987 animated film go in The Chipmunk Adventure;
- Tropes exclusive to the other Direct to Video movies go either in:
- Tropes exclusive to the live action/CGI movies go in Film.Alvin and the Chipmunks;
- Tropes exclusive to the 2015 cartoon series go in ALVINNN!!! and the Chipmunks.
Tropes:
- Adaptational Backstory Change: In the original Wolf Man series, Lawrence Talbot received his lycanthropy by being bitten by the werewolf form of Bela. Here, it's implied that his lycanthropy is hereditary, as his grandfather was heavily implied to have also been a werewolf.
- Adults Are Useless: Justified. Upon seeing Nathan bully Theodore in the auditorium, Dave is about to intervene, but Principal Milliken holds him back. She says Theodore has repeatedly refused to make a formal complaint that would get school officials to act. Since Dave can't be his son's constant bodyguard, she feels the best solution is for Theodore to learn to assert himself.
- All Girls Want Bad Boys: Subverted with Eleanor. She starts to dislike the new Theodore because he becomes too smug and arrogant.
- Alternate Identity Amnesia: Theodore has no recollection of being a werewolf upon being cured, and it's implied that he doesn't remember his jerkishness from his daytime moments either.
- All Part of the Show: When the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde school play begins and then it is continually interrupted by Talbot and Theodore becoming werewolves. Although frightened, nobody in the audience watching intervene because they think it is all part of the show and applaud and that it is just good acting and stage makeup. Alvin has to be the one to inform Eleanor that it is not make-up; Theodore is a werewolf.
- Arson, Murder, and Jaywalking: Simon keeps a tally of Alvin's many nightmares, which include Frankenstein's monster, a mummy, Wolfman... and a bunny rabbit.
- Artistic License – Biology: Madame Raya’s statement that Theodore is more prone to exhibiting werewolf behavior than a human would be due to already being closer to a “primitive animal state” is rather fallacious when you consider that rodents, such as chipmunks, are actually more closely related to primates, such as humans, than they are to carnivorans like wolves. note
- Ascended Extra: Eleanor is a variation of this. She was often overshadowed and underused throughout the franchise, particularly the '80s cartoon series, though in this movie, considering that much of the plot focuses on Theodore, being his counterpart, she gets quite a bit of exposure. Principal Milliken is also this, as she was briefly mentioned and appeared in a photo in the previous movie.
- Aside Glance: Alvin gives a quick one after Simon explains the Deus ex Machina way Theodore is cured.
- Attention Whore: Brittany. She does not take well when she finds out find that, in the school play, her role is the tree. Indeed she takes advantage of the play when the kids are forced to improvise.
- Being Evil Sucks: Mr. Talbot thanks Theodore for curing them both of their lycanthropy, making it clear he hated being a werewolf.
- Big Brother Instinct:
- Early on, Alvin pulls a prank on the main bully for harassing Theodore. It's the only positive thing that Principal Milliken can say about him.
- A brief moment with Brittany when Theodore is rude to Jeanette.
- Big Damn Heroes: Despite Theodore's transformation, he manages to retain enough of his senses to fight off Wolfman!Talbot in order to protect Eleanor from the older Wolfman.
- Big "NO!": By Alvin after Dave confiscates his monster stuff and fires him from the play. Later transitions to Mr. Rochelle who says the same thing. Both accompanied by a Skyward Scream.
- Blessed with Suck: Theodore becomes a werewolf. His werewolf physicality means he is much more athletic and he is able to become a much better actor to portray Mr. Hyde in the school's play. But not only does his personality change and give him a bad attitude, during the full moon he turns into a monster overcome with canine instinct.
- The Cameo: Miss Miller's only scene in this movie is her yelling at Dave over the phone after Alvin scares the Chipettes.
- Catapult Nightmare: Starts with one! Just before Alvin gets mauled by a werewolf in his nightmare, he awakens screaming in terror loud enough to jolt the other two chipmunks awake and send Dave literally flying into the ceiling!
- The Cavalry Arrives Late: Dave witnesses Talbot transform into a werewolf and rushes to warn the school, but bumps into a pole and falls to the ground unconscious. Then after the climax, when comes to, and arrives at the school, everything's already back to normal.
- Celebrity Paradox: The Wolf Man gets namedropped in the same movie where there is a Lawrence Talbot complete with a werewolf form.
- Chekhov's Gun: Theodore gives Eleanor a necklace — one tossed out of a window by Alvin — just before he gets bitten. When he transforms into a werewolf during the play and is about to attack Eleanor, he catches sight of the necklace and remembers enough of himself to stop.
- Classy Cane: Talbot owns a cane with a silver top shaped like a wolf's head. It turns out to be a contingency in the event that he becomes a wolf. Dave later takes the cane after subduing Talbot and almost attacks him again before it's explained to him that Talbot is no longer a werewolf.
- The Cloudcuckoolander Was Right: Everyone, Simon especially, thinks Alvin's theories about a monster in their midsts are insane, and to be fair he has a track record for such accusations, but the very person he suspected of being a werewolf turned out to be one.
- Crazy-Prepared: It turns out the school board managed to establish a special grant to cover any damages caused by Alvin's pranks.
- Credits Gag: Mr. Talbot is listed in the credits as "Mr. Talbot, the Wolfman".
- Crying Wolf: Alvin has in the past accused so many people of being a monster that Simon has managed to use their names to fill a book. He notes that the only person he can think of who Alvin hasn't accused of being a monster is Dave.
- Damsel in Distress: Eleanor near the end of the film when she is attacked by Talbot.
- Dance Party Ending: The Chipmunks and Chipettes end the wrap party by performing "Everything's Gonna Be Alright", and soon everyone else follow the rhythm.
- Darker and Edgier: It's this to the previous movie, as well as the series as a whole. Characters are put in life-threatening danger a lot during the climax.
- Defeat Means Respect:
- After dodging one of Nathan's pranks, Nathan's prank backfires on him and he even admits it was pretty cool after Theodore helps him up. Nathan is even seen dancing with the other kids at the Dance Party Ending.
- After being cured of the Wolfman curse, Mr. Talbot thanks Theodore for his help and starts being nicer to the other kids at the school.
- Delayed "Oh, Crap!": When Alvin encounters the Wolfman during the play, he recognizes him as Mr. Talbot and takes a moment to say "I knew it!" It soon dawns over him that Mr. Talbot is a werewolf and standing right in front of him, and he makes a break for it.
- Description Cut: When Theodore asks if Alvin doesn't mind not playing the role of Mr. Hyde (now given to Theodore), Dave assures to him that Alvin is fine. The scene then cuts to Alvin having a nervous breakdown.
- Devil in Plain Sight: Mr. Talbot is obviously a werewolf, but nobody besides Alvin can pick up on it. He is not evil, but he is still dangerous.
- Didn't See That Coming: In the aftermath of Alvin's explosion, Dave gets quite an angry phone call from Principal Milliken, but she actually calls him into her office to talk about Theodore.
- The Dissenter Is Always Right: Alvin thinks that Mr. Talbot is a werewolf. No one else thinks so and they just shrug off Alvin's beliefs as his horror obsession catching up to him, but it's later revealed that Mr. Talbot really is a werewolf; specifically, the one who bit Theodore.
- Explain, Explain... Oh, Crap!: As Alvin decides to go confront Theodore, who is going on a rampage as a full werewolf, only to walk up to the Wolfman:Alvin: Now listen here, Theodore! I've got— (sees who he's facing and stutters) Oh, boy.
- Facepalm: Dave over getting called in to talk to Principal Milliken following Alvin's not-so-little explosion.
- Fainting: Theodore faints more than once while rehearsing for his role as Mr. Hyde.
- Faint in Shock: Brittany faints when she encounters the Wolfman.
- Genre Savvy: Dave uses Talbot's cane to ward him off, remembering from Alvin and horror movies that werewolves have a weakness to silver.
- How Did You Know? I Didn't: When Alvin inquires Mr. Talbot about the bones in his house if he doesn't own a dog, Talbot asks "How did you know I had bones?". Alvin answers that he didn't.
- I'll Kill You!:Simon: (to Alvin) When I find my glasses, remind me to KILL you!
- Informed Species: Talbot's werewolf form looks even less like a wolf than his live-action counterpart, looking more like a lion instead. The same could go for Theodore's.
- Involuntary Shapeshifter: Dave finds out the hard way...
- Irony: The necklace that came with Alvin's monster guide was advertised as being useless. This same neckless is what makes Theodore, in his werewolf form, remember his true self since he gave it to Eleanor as a gift.
- I've Got an X, and I'm Not Afraid to Use It!: "I've got a lemon zester and I'm not afraid to use it!" Said by the Chipmunks' neighbor when Simon and Alvin accidentally wake him up, while they go after werewolf-transformed Theodore as he escapes the house and they try to get him back.
- Kids Shouldn't Watch Horror Films: Subverted. Dave thinks that this is the reason why Alvin is having nightmares, however Alvin is later proven to have been right about Mr. Talbot being a werewolf.
- Knight of Cerebus: Unlike Frankenstein's Monster in the previous crossover film with Universal Horror who even manages to befriend the Chipmunks, the Wolf Man is played completely seriously due to being a creature of pure predatory instinct as in the original source.
- Legacy Character: It's implied that Mr. Talbot is a descendant of Lawrence Stewart "Larry" Talbot, the main character of Universal's original series of Wolf Man films.
- Literal-Minded: Theodore mistakes mincemeat for actual meat that has been minced.
- Locked into Strangeness: The morning after Theodore gets bitten, the tuft of hair on his head is now slicked back and a darker brown. While his other changes are noticed by the others, this one oddly isn't.
- Locked Out of the Loop:
- Dave is never informed that Theodore got turned into a werewolf.
- Theodore himself apparently was never told about what exactly was going on with him even while he was under the curse.
- Magic Pants: Both Theodore and Mr. Talbot have their clothes remain intact after being cured of their werewolf forms.
- Mark of the Beast: Anyone who is a werewolf has a mark shaped like a wolf's paw on the palm of his/her hand, which is known as the Mark of the Wolf. Theodore develops one shortly after getting bitten. Later, Talbot reveals his as he confronts Dave.
- Never Say "Die":
- Subverted when Madame Raya suggests to Alvin and Simon they should shoot Theodore with a Silver Bullet.Simon: B-but then would't he be... you know? (does a Throat-Slitting Gesture)
Madame Raya: Dead? Yeah! But he would be cured. - Double subverted when she then gives them a second option which is to bop him with a silver cane.Alvin: How hard?
Madame Raya: Hard enough to— (does a Throat-Slitting Gesture)
Simon: I got it. Please don't say it.
- Subverted when Madame Raya suggests to Alvin and Simon they should shoot Theodore with a Silver Bullet.
- Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: If Alvin didn't toss that necklace out the window when he got his monster guide, Theodore wouldn't have found it, taken it to Eleanor and he wouldn't have been bitten by Mr. Talbot. This is zigzagged because without the necklace, Theodore probably wouldn't have snapped out of his werewolf state.
- Nice Job Fixing It, Villain: After completing his transformation, Talbot throws his broken silver cane at Dave's feet, thus allowing the latter to arm himself.
- Nightmare Fetishist: Alvin has an obsession with monsters and horror genre, which is the cause of his nightmares at night and assumptions that there is a monster in their midst, as Dave and Simon reason. Except this time he is right about their new neighbor being a werewolf.
- No Dress Code: During the Jekyll-Hyde wrap party, Eleanor wears a party outfit that exposes her stomach. It's a wonder she weren't reprimanded for possibly violating any school dress codes.
- No Sympathy: Britney states that she doesn't care what kind of family Nathan has, finding Jeanette's sympathy for all people sickening.
- Noodle Incident: Alvin's antics have caused so much expensive damage that the schoolboard had to pass a bond issue to cover costs.
- Not Himself: After getting bitten by the "dog", Theodore becomes very strong and cool during the day, but also arrogant and aggressive. To point that Eleanor asks if he and Alvin had a "Freaky Friday" Flip.
- Not So Above It All:
- Larry Talbot is extremely stoic and composed throughout the movie yet joins in on the fun in the Dance Party Ending. The fact that his werewolf curse is finally lifted off for good may have something to do with it.
- Principal Milliken doesn't want the children to do anything wild in the wrap party, yet she herself is also seen enjoying and ultimately starts dancing with Dave as her partner.
- Occult Detective: Alvin and Simon become this once Theodore starts turning into a werewolf.
- Oh, Crap!:
- Simon when Alvin is about to mix unknown chemicals from his chemistry set to make the play "more authentic".
- Alvin when he looks up on phases of the moon and discovers that the full moon is on the next night. The night of the play.
- Later, Alvin realizes he is in trouble when he sees Mr. Talbot looking for his cane. The cane that's now in Alvin's hands, broken in half by Theodore. And then he bumps into Dave as he is running away with it...
- The night of the play, Theodore pants Alvin for no reason, quipping that "[the] Moon's out early tonight". As Simon watches Theodore climb up into the rafters, he takes note of the night sky out a nearby window... and sees a full moon.Simon: (extremely nervous; clears throat) A-Alvin... he's right...
- Dave looks surprised when Mr. Talbot apparently has a fit of rage about his broken cane, throwing it at his feet. When he turns around to call him out, he is left stuttering when he sees that it's because Talbot is now the Wolfman.
- The Wolfman himself has this reaction when he sees that Dave armed himself with the silver head of the cane.
- Dave has another one when he sees that Talbot has chased him all the way to the school, where the kids are.
- The Chipmunks reaction when they realize that the newly cured Mr. Talbot is their new school principal.
- Ominous Fog: Brittany even comments on how much she dislikes the particular kind of weather at one point.
- O.O.C. Is Serious Business: Theodore is a vegetarian. So when he asks if there is a steak sandwich in his lunch bag, a puzzled Dave reminds him that he doesn't eat meat. Plus, there is the fact he is suddenly acting nasty and vicious rather than the meek Nice Guy he normally is.
- Our Werewolves Are Different: Theodore as a wolfmunk and Mr. Talbot. When Alvin and Simon see Madam Raya for advice, she admits the idea of a werechipmunk is indeed unusual, but also that it's not unheard of. At the end, Theodore cures them both by biting Mr. Talbot, which caused the effect to reverse on both of them.
- Pants-Pulling Prank: Theodore pulls down Simon and Alvin's pants during the opening night of Mr. Rochelle's Jekyll and Hyde play, which results in the audience seeing them in their underwear once the curtains open.
- Papa Wolf:
- When Dave sees that Talbot is the Wolfman, the first thing that comes to his mind is to rush to the school and warn the kids. He also makes it clear that he is going to kill the Wolfman to keep his boys safe, if it weren't for the fact Talbot has already been cured when he finally gets to the school.
- And prior to that, when Dave saw Theodore being bullied, he was ready to dive in to defend Theodore, until Principal Milliken had to hold him back.
- Playing a Tree: The school is putting on a play about Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Brittany thinks she is playing "a girl named Willa who cries a lot". She apparently misheard, and is actually a weeping willow.
- Prefers Raw Meat: One of the signs that Theodore is turning into a werewolf is that he starts asking for medium-rare steak.
- Reformed Bully: Nathan becomes this at the end of the film.
- Sarcasm Mode: After dropping a stage weight on Nathan for hassling Theodore, Alvin mockingly suggests the bully be more careful.
- Security Cling: As Mr. Talbot is complaining about his garden being trampled on, Alvin clings to Dave's leg.
- Sharp-Dressed Man: The Chipmunks' new neighbor, Mr. Talbot.
- Ship Tease:
- Theodore shows a lot of affection for Eleanor in the movie, and in the climax he is stopped from attacking her when he sees the necklace he gave her earlier.
- Also, when Theodore does his Evil Laugh during rehearsals, Alvin and Brittany hold each other, shaking.
- During the final battle between Wolf!Theodore and the Wolfman, Simon and Jeanette hold each other's hands in fright.
- At the Dance Party Ending, Mr. Talbot and Madam Raya are seen dancing together.
- Shout-Out: See the main shout out page for the franchise.
- Shown Their Work: Wolf's bane is referred to by its actual genus name Aconitum.
- Silver Bullet: Madame Raya suggests this to Alvin and Simon as a cure for Theodore's lycanthropy. Later, Talbot reveals to Dave that the silver handle of his cane was formed from the silver bullets that brought down his grandfather, heavily implied to be the original Wolfman.
- Sympathy for the Devil:
- Jeanette states she feels bad for Nathan, theorizing his bullying is a result of being in an abusive family.
- David does a little of this to help Theodore get into character, suggesting that Mr. Hyde's anger came from being alone in the world and different from everyone else.
- Talking Is a Free Action: Despite Alvin standing right in front of him, the Wolfman actually gives him some time to deduce that he is right about Mr. Talbot being a werewolf. And a head start.
- Tempting Fate: When Alvin comes up with a new hypothesis that it's not Mr. Talbot but someone else who is a werewolf, an exasperated Simon gets him to say that there is no werewolf. Cue Theodore transforming into a werewolf for the first time.
- This Is Gonna Suck: Alvin fiddling with Simon's chemicals causes an explosion so large that Dave could feel it at home. Upon seeing the cloud over the school, Dave pleads for the phone to not ring, and he's most disappointed when it does.
- Throw It In!: In-universe, the play goes off the rails when Theodore transforms and the kids are forced to improvise, such as Simon and Jeanette acting out a scene where Jekyll has apparently literally split into two people, a set of twin sisters, and some of the potion splashes onto a tree, bringing it to life. During the after party, the director takes credit for everything the kids made up, though Principal Milliken just responds to everything he says with a dismissive "Uh-huh."
- Trailers Always Spoil: Also counts as a Covers Always Spoil as well since both show Theodore as a werewolf.
- Transformation Sequence: Simon has the honor being front-row center for Theodore's transformation. Meanwhile, Dave is too busy trying to explain Alvin's behavior that he misses out on directly seeing Talbot become the Wolfman.
- Vocal Dissonance: Not a big deal, but in the Mexican Spanish dub of the movie, the Chippettes are given voices that would be more befitting for a teenage woman.
- Werewolves Are Dogs: After getting bitten by a werewolf, Theodore starts acting like a puppy on the night of a full moon.
- Wham Shot:
- Shortly after getting bitten by the "dog", Theodore starts tossing and turning around in his bed while growling irritably. Then the Mark of the Wolf appears on his left palm.
- When Dave asks Mr. Talbot what did his grandfather do to provoke villagers into shooting him with silver bullets (from which the cane's handle is made), Talbot says he will answer that as he is watching the full moon and the Mark of the Wolf is revealed on his palm.
- Wolf Man: Not only Lawrence Talbot, but Theodore becomes a weremunk as well.
- You Just Told Me: Everyone initially believed that Talbot simply had a loud dog. When he says he doesn't have one, Alvin asks why he has so many bones in his house.Talbot: [worried] How did you know I have bones?
Alvin: Ha-ha, I didn't, until just now! - Younger Than They Look: Principal Milliken is only 31, but looks 50, due to the stress of dealing with Alvin for so long that she retires at the end of the movie.
