The squeaky voiced chipmunks are back with a renewed and terribly cute computer-animated image and a familiar sounding story – being a pop star and keeping your musical integrity.

The little ones are back in “Alvin and the Chipmunks,” just as furry and cuddly as ever, well intentioned and humorous and getting into all sorts of trouble. This time around, Alvin, the mischievous leader of the pack, Simon the tall and bespectacled, clever one, and Timothy, chubby and sweet, find themselves at Dave Seville’s house.

Dave (portrayed by “My Name Is Earl” actor Jason Lee) is stuck with them. A struggling songwriter who finds it difficult to commit to anyone, Dave starts to appreciate the chipmunk siblings when he discovers that they don’t just nibble and scurry around, but that they can talk and sing and dance.

He happily capitalizes on this and the foursome soon find success: Dave writes the songs and Alvin, Simon and Timothy perform them.

The head of the chipmunks’ record label, the dodgy unscrupulous and fittingly named Ian Hawk (portrayed by David Cross) sees a golden opportunity in these singing and dancing fur balls and proceeds to push Dave out of the way and take the chipmunks under his wing.

He caters to the trio offering them toys and food and flattery and makes them dress up in tacky costumes and even lip synch.

Alvin and his brothers soon feel the effect of such exploitation but who is to rescue them? This being a family film of course wrongs are set right, the lazy Dave listens to his conscience and realizes he has to save his friends and a moral is told.

The actors voicing the little guys are Justin Long, as Alvin, Matthew Gray Gubler as Simon and Jesse McCartney as Timothy, though that is of little importance in the end, considering the signature speeding of their voices.

It was Ross Bagdasarian, Sr. who sped up voice tracks in 1958 to create a squeaky and funny-sounding note and his animated musical group Alvin and the Chipmunks soon became a hit, even winning Grammy Awards.

The endearing fluffsters went on to become stars of their cartoon series and motion pictures.

The film will be funny and entertaining for children, perhaps trying for parents, but all in all a good choice for the holidays. Tim Hill has previously directed “Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties.”

Director: Tim Hill.

Voices: Alvin- Justin Long; Simon- Matthew Gray Gubler; Theodore - Jesse McCartney.

Cast: Jason Lee; David Cross; Cameron Richardson.

Release date: December 14.