The success of Duck Tales had obviously validated using classic characters (however minor their real fame might be) and so Chip and Dale, two popular if relatively late-comers to the Disney shorts, where the second ‘classic characters’ to get their own show. Partly playing on the success of the Rescuers movies somewhat (Rescue Rangers/Rescuers: go on, tell me it’s a coincidence), the secret life of animals, with the occasional homage to the chipmunks’ theatrical past. The series fundamentally proved that Disney’s previous successes weren’t flukes. The ‘Disney Afternoon’ as it was called in the States, was here to stay.

The series thankfully also holds true to the personas of Chip and Dale, even fleshing them out a little by exasperating their differences, which are even more pronounced here than they were in their theatrical shorts. To say that Chip is the serious one and Dale is a fun loving goof would be a simplistic generalisation, but it is in essence true.

One thing I cottoned onto quite quickly was the fact that most of – though not all – the episodes were character themed, meaning the episode centred on one of the characters and their quirks. Chip questioning his leadership abilities, Gadget her inventions and so on. I also learnt that my favourite ones where either Dale or Zipper led, or else starred the inept scientist Prof. Nimnul, the former two because they were always, in some ways the underdogs of the team, the later because the cartoon would take a sci-fi route with references to cult horror movies like The Fly as well as classic invasion movies (references which I enjoy even more as an adult).

The animation is, as you would expect from a company like Disney, pretty much as top notch as TV animation got back then, which generally means that it stands up rather well today. The musical themes are rousing and the occasional - usually well written - song breaks up the action in a few episodes. The written is generally highly competent and voiced with flair by the actors. Certainly, you get the impression that the creators enjoyed making the show.

It was one of my Childhood favourites at the time it originally aired and to find that it still stand tall to that which came later speaks of the care that it creators put into it. Like much of the content that came out of the Disney Afternoon, it was definitely worth one’s viewing time back then and is a show that is still very much worth owning on DVD.

*sniff* This show brings back memories...
I'd watch it all the time! The main characters were hilarious and the villans were pretty good too. I remember being on a plane trip and I turned on the TV on the back of the seat in front of me...it was in Japanese(or Chinese)but I'd seen the episode before so I knew the plot. Good times, good times.....*sigh*

I loved this show when I was little. All the main characters were interesting and likable, the plots of each episode were interesting and the main theme song was catchy. Plenty of humor in these shows and the villains were pretty good too. The animation is a typical Saturday morning cartoon, but the characters stay on model.
Definitely one to check out.