Dayton Daily News

‘Chip ’n Dale’ on Disney can be called ambitious

- By Neal Justin and Chris Hewitt

What to watch (or, in some cases, avoid) at home this weekend:

‘Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers'

What’s the last word you’d expect to apply to this bit of Disney brand extension? How about “ambitious?” It is, though. An origin story and a new adventure about the genial chipmunks who get in and out of scrapes, “Rescue Rangers” is also a surprising­ly clever look at animation styles. Incorporat­ing hand-drawn, stop-motion and computer-generated techniques, “Rescue Rangers” includes sly jokes about cartoon innovation­s that worked (“Who Framed Roger Rabbit”) and those that really didn’t (“Cats”). Andy Samberg, Seth Rogen and John Mulaney supply the voices.

Where: Disney+

‘Operation Mincemeat'

It’s an oft-told story but a good one: During World War II, British spies hatch a plan to divert the Nazis with the corpse of a fictitious soldier, carrying informatio­n to throw them off track. It was the subject of the book and movie “The Man Who Never Was” as well as a book by Ben Macintyre. Based on Macintyre’s book “Operation Mincemeat,” the film stars Colin Firth and Matthew Macfadyen, as one of the snivelers who have become his trademark since “Succession.” Things occasional­ly drag (especially in the romantic subplot), but it’s a satisfying win for the good guys and, for a change, the movie acknowledg­es that female Brits (played by Penelope Wilton and Kelly Macdonald) made important contributi­ons to war strategy.

Where: Netflix

‘Senior Year'

A subdued Rebel Wilson stars as a woman who comes out of a two-decade-long coma determined to have the senior prom she missed while she was out cold. Bits of “Bring It On,” “Clueless” and “Billy Madison” are blended in a wan movie that’s not as funny as any of them. It’s a nice touch to feature a cameo by “Clueless” star Alicia Silverston­e, but you should watch “PEN15,” instead.

Where: Netflix

‘Top Gun'

Come for a refresher prior to the (said-to-be-great) sequel, which hits theaters on Friday. Stay for the mid-’80s soundtrack (including Oscar-winning song “Take My Breath Away”), homoerotic beach volleyball, aerial stunt work and a great supporting performanc­e by Meg Ryan as a pal of Tom Cruise’s hotdogging fighter pilot.

Where: Netflix, Paramount+

 ?? IMAGES PHOTO BY PARAMOUNT PICTURES/ARCHIVE PHOTOS/GETTY ?? American actors Tom Cruise, as Lieutenant Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell, and Kelly McGillis, as Charlotte ‘Charlie’ Blackwood, in a promotiona­l portrait for ‘Top Gun’, directed by Tony Scott, 1986.
IMAGES PHOTO BY PARAMOUNT PICTURES/ARCHIVE PHOTOS/GETTY American actors Tom Cruise, as Lieutenant Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell, and Kelly McGillis, as Charlotte ‘Charlie’ Blackwood, in a promotiona­l portrait for ‘Top Gun’, directed by Tony Scott, 1986.
 ?? DISNEY ENTERPRISE­S, INC/TNS ?? Chip (left, voiced by John Mulaney) and Dale (voiced by Andy Samberg) in Disney’s live-action “Chip ’n Dale: Rescue Rangers,” exclusivel­y on Disney+.
DISNEY ENTERPRISE­S, INC/TNS Chip (left, voiced by John Mulaney) and Dale (voiced by Andy Samberg) in Disney’s live-action “Chip ’n Dale: Rescue Rangers,” exclusivel­y on Disney+.

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