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If you loved the 1977-83 TV show "ChiPs," you might hate the theatrical movie based upon it. But the show wasn't that good and the movie is surprisingly entertaining — if you enjoy crude humor, action and violence, all done in a good-natured sort of way.
Dax Shepard ("Parenthood") wrote, directed and stars as Jon Baker, a former professional motorcyclist who, in an attempt to win back his awful wife (Shepard's real-life spouse, Kristen Bell), joins the California Highway Patrol. He's teamed with a cocky undercover FBI agent (Michael Peña) who has assumed the name of Francis "Ponch" Poncherello. Jon is addicted to prescription pain meds; Ponch is a sex addict; they bicker like an old married couple.
Ponch has been assigned to infiltrate the CHP because bad cops are robbing and murdering in spectacular style. And there are a whole lot of motorcycle/car chases, explosions and shootouts — there's even a beheading — along with plenty of dialogue, sight gags and jokes that are coarse, crass, lewd and sometimes just downright gross. But funny makes up for a lot, and there are more than a few laugh-out-loud moments in "CHIPS."
Plus, Shepard and Peña are both so likable and have such great chemistry that, if you go in not expecting much, you just might be pleasantly surprised.
But if you're emotionally devoted to the TV series, just don't go. Even though the original Ponch, Erik Estrada, has a cameo in the closing minutes. The two "ChiPs" share a title, a couple of character names and not much of anything else.
Twitter: @ScottDPierce —
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'CHIPs'
This reboot of the old TV show is violent and crude — and surprisingly entertaining.
Where • Theaters everywhere.
When • Opens Friday, March 24.
Rating • R for crude sexual content, nudity, language, violence and drug use.
Running time • 101 minutes.