CHIPS (2017)

Written & Directed By: Dax Shepard 
Based on Characters Created By: Rick Rosner 
Cinematography By: Mitchell Amundsen 
Editor: Dan Lebental 


Cast: Dax Shepard, Michael Pena, Rosa Salazar, Jessica McNamee, Vincent D’Onofrio, Ryan Hansen, Kristen Bell, Maya Rudolph, Jane Kaczmarek, Adam Brody, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Richard T. Jones, Justin Chatwin, David Koechner, Ben Falcone, Megan Echikunwoke, Ed Begley jr Vida Guerra, Jermaine Williams, Mae Whitman 


An FBI agent goes undercover in the California Highway Patrol as officer Frank "Ponch" Poncherello. Members of the CHP have been robbing cash delivery vehicles and his job is to uncover the perpetrators. At the CHP he is partnered with a 30-something rookie, Jon Baker. Baker is a former professional motorcycle rider with a list of ailments and personal problems who is lucky to be in the CHP. They are very different people and immediately clash.

The movie is a typical buddy cop movie. Only a lot more violent and tries to offer a bit of eye candy as a distraction from most of what is going on. As the films structure seems too loose for this type of production.

Where to begin? This film feels like it came along st the wrong time. It should have been made when there was the boom of bringing television shows to the movies. As this seems like a premium idea but also the bottom of the barrel as far as ideas go.

The film always seems to be in a rush. Sort of like the story, the characters and the bikes they ride. The plot is already think so the film takes no time getting right to the point at the expense of characterization. As it is sometimes Easy to forget who is who, unless they have a clear broad characterization. It’s a shame as this was one of the few television shows to have a mexican leading character. The same here for Michael Pena one of the few times he has gotten to play the lead and unfortunately this film bombed. Even though he is really good.

The film is mostly a boys club type of film. It gives it’s female Characters some fair shake but also minimalizes them to their attractiveness and good or evil, but that isn’t a fair shake considering the film does that with most of the characters. As this movie will probably mostly appeal to teenagers and motorcycle enthusiasts.

The film originally was going to be big budget film and PG-13 until it was decided to cut the budget and as that was he case go for a rated R film.

The film is mostly a comedy disguised as a police procedural. As most of the scenes are comedic and the action sequences while not noteworthy are God’s enough and impressive to keep the Audiences interest up. There is plenty of action scenes that makes this feel more like a stunt man’s paradise as far as a film. Even as star, screenwriter and director Dax Shepherd let’s us know that he did most of his stunts.

The film isn’t horrible it is quite funny here and there, but overall it moves by so fast very little seems to stick. Though at times major scenes and sequences seem to take a back seat to banter and some jokes.

There are plenty of cameos and as kind of an inside joke Dax Shepard’s character’s estranged wife is played by his real life wife Kristen bell. Though here her character is clearly over him.

Like STARSKY & HUTCH the movie here the characters while good at certain things have flaws that either humanize them or are used for comedic effect and not necessarily solved. As they are usually used for comedic purposes. Like having Michael Pena’s character be a sex addict and Dax Shepard’s be a broken down ex competing motorcycle rider be an unknowing opiate addict. The two for them have great chemistry I only wish the film was better.

Like his directorial debut hot and run this film seems almost fetishized towards automobiles and motorcycles that makes it feel instantly like a throwback to the 1970’s and 80’s where it feels like it more belongs. I can understand those are more his interest and wants to kind of bring it back as well as a kind of laid back spirit of films of that period that would probably star Burt Reynolds as this film and that one have a kind of SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT or CANNONBALL RUN feel. Not to mention DUKES OF HAZZARD the movie also. Which if you enjoy any of those films this might be a great film to watch with them. Where the films seem to more depend on stunt and stunt sequences rather then plot, story and style. 

There is nothing technically wrong with the movie. It’s just that even in the action scenes they have nothing that makes them feel special or different. Except for the impressive stunt works.

The film is a fine time waster that one can look upon with a certain fascination but realize that it is quite thin. Yet it tries. It just falls short when it comes to material.


Grade: D+