Review of CHiPs (2017) by Orlando O — 30 Mar 2017

Chips being remade onto the big screen after being based on a TV series which may divide the audience. I have never seen the original TV series but know about the concept idea and the actors. Dax Shepard, who is starring, wrote and directed this latest buddy cop comedy film does have its fair share of laughs and gags with a forgettable boring plot.

I thought the cast Dax Shepard and Michael Pena were a lot of fun to see on screen playing John Baker and Ponch. Two motorcycle officers that are caught in police corruption and a couple of money truck heists. Dax Shepard as Baker, an ex motor cross athlete, who had several accidents leading to surgeries. Leaving him depending on pain pills. Ponch, an undercover officer that has a hard street personality and sex addiction. Seeing the two trying to work together can be entertaining and funny.

The film does have its decent amount of laughs and gags. But these jokes can only go so far until it is easily forgotten by the time the film ends. Dax Shepard direction on handling bike chases was a lot of fun and exciting. It cannot make it up for the lack of plot, which most buddy cop movies usually fall back on with the old heist idea. And Baker and Ponch are caught trying to investigate their fellow officers that may be involved. Then, the sub plot of Baker trying to be the top 10 officer to impress his distant wife Karen (Kristen Bell).

If you enjoy stupid humor, Chips will be enjoyable and probably one of those films you can view one time to be entertained and easily forget about it. It lacks character development and plot. The car chase sequences are exciting and Dax Shepard and Michael Pena are fun to see portraying these ionic characters. Chips is a fair comedy film that has a decent amount of laughs and gags, and may have dropped the standards on bringing the TV series to life.