THOSE cinema-goers still having nightmares about Christmas 2007 should look away now. Two years ago it was a toss up between Rupert Everett in drag and three squeaky-voiced rodents as the biggest horror of the festive season.

And Christmas madness is back in 2009 as St Trinians 2 battles with Alvin and the Chipmunks 2: The Squeakquel for the festive pound.

After the credit crunch, pay freezes, bankers' bonuses and MPs' expenses, surely the nation deserved a break.

But back come the highly resistible singing trio of Alvin (voiced by Justin Long), Simon (Mathew Gray Gubler) and Theodore (Jess McCartney).

It's more a retread than a real follow up with the same mix of cuddly characters and pop hits on helium.

The film is like watching a marathon Top of the Pops devoted only to novelty Christmas hits and even small children who adore cute critters will surely be bored by the procession of pop covers.

The thin story sees the tiny trio forced to attend High School where they struggle to fit in but still manage to secure the chance to represent their classmates at a battle of the bands contest.

Meanwhile, their bitter ex-manager (David Cross) is aiming to beat them with a rival band called The Chipettes – Britney (voiced by Christina Applegate), Eleanor (Amy Poehler) and Jeanette (Anna Faris).

Can the boys battle this sudden influx of girl power?

Are The Chipettes the worst thing to happen to the music business since the Spice Girls' reunion?

Does even your favourite five- year-old care?

The nadir of the movie comes when the chipmunks sing the old Dead or Alive No 1 You Spin Me Right Round – in a food mixer.

Now, 20 years ago in a Gremlins movie that sequence might have had a happier outcome.

Remember too that if you take your family to see Alvin and the Chipmunks 2, then Christmas 2011 is likely to be equally depressing.