Synopsis:
Jon Baker (Shepard) and Frank Ponch Poncherello (Peña) have just joined the California Highway Patrol (CHP) in Los Angeles, but for very different reasons. Baker is a beaten-up former pro motorbike trying to put his life and marriage back together. Poncherello is a cocky undercover Federal agent investigating a multi-million dollar heist that may be an inside job inside the CHP. The inexperienced rookie and the hardened pro are teamed together but clash more than click, so kick-starting a real partnership is easier said than done. But with Baker’s unique bike skills and Ponch’s street savvy, it might just work…if they don’t drive each other crazy first.
-Written by Warner Bros.
Film Review:
Good cop, bad cop–Chips is originally an American TV dramedy series that aired in late 70’s that made six seasons until the 80’s. The film’s storyline is very similar from the series, Francis (Ponch) played by Michael Peña who is an FBI agent sent to go undercover, become a member of the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and find the dirty cops behind the recent robberies and the death of a particular CHP officer. He was then assigned a partner, a former pro motorbike rider John Baker, played by Dax Shepard.
The two started off slightly awkward when John introduced himself to Ponch in the locker room while he was half naked. Ponch being very uncomfortable and avoiding close contact, John felt the need to say something and both went on the wrong way. This scene made it clear that the two of them will have a lot of fun working together as partners and drive each other mad or maybe become the best of friends?
The movie is mainly an action-packed comedy with a light touch of drama. It focuses on Frank, and John’s characters as the both of them discover each other’s personalities and eventually become good friends, despite their occasional rambles and yelling at each other.
The film is written and directed by one of the major players in the movie, Dax Shepard did well writing a fun script for a light hearted comedy film about buddies. It has broken many stereotypes, like how the homophobia is used and misused in few of the scenes. As well as the standard types of looks for an 8/10 type of women. Not to forget about guys being in touch with their feelings and not being afraid to express them.
There’s a lot more that Chips offers than just explosive scenes, comic reliefs and motorbike stunts. It has a good script, although not too witty but good enough to make you think to yourself about what the characters say. There’s also good casting with a balanced and believable antagonist character of Vic Brown, played by Vincent D'Onofrio. The film also showed that there are indeed clean and dirty cops everywhere. It’s a situation that is continuing to happen at present.
Overall, a film enjoyable and fun to watch. Not the greatest comedy film of the year but still a good movie to watch and laugh about with your friends.
Out in NZ cinemas March 29, 2017.