When considering cop comedies that blend action with humor, 21 Jump Street often sets the gold standard. Many films in the genre find themselves measured against its witty writing and dynamic duo chemistry. The 2017 reboot of CHiPs, starring Dax Shepard and Michael Pena, inevitably draws these comparisons. Let’s dive into why, despite some merits, CHiPs struggles to escape the shadow of its funnier predecessor, making the case for why you might be better off just re-watching 21 Jump Street.
CHiPs Movie Poster: Dax Shepard and Michael Pena in the action comedy film, often compared unfavorably to 21 Jump Street
Dax Shepard took on multiple roles for CHiPs – writing, directing, and starring. While his ambition is clear, the result is a mixed bag. Shepard portrays Jon Baker, a well-meaning but accident-prone rookie cop with a history of injuries. He delivers a likable performance, embodying a slightly past-his-prime character trying to recapture former glory. This role feels tailor-made for Shepard’s comedic style, and he manages to be engaging enough on screen. However, when looking at cop comedy pairings, the effortless and sharp dynamic of Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum in 21 Jump Street immediately comes to mind, showcasing a higher level of comedic partnership.
Where CHiPs finds a stronger footing is in Michael Pena’s portrayal of Ponch. Pena injects energy into the film as the reckless FBI agent undercover. Despite the character being written with somewhat cliché traits, including a pronounced sex addiction played for laughs, Pena manages to make Ponch entertaining. He navigates the potentially awkward humor with a degree of charm that prevents the character from becoming entirely unlikeable. The chemistry between Shepard and Pena is arguably the film’s strongest asset, providing some genuinely funny moments. Yet, even this pairing doesn’t quite reach the comedic heights achieved by the 21 Jump Street duo, whose contrasting personalities and comedic timing were key to that film’s success.
Michael Pena and Dax Shepard in a scene from CHiPs, an action comedy film that struggles to reach the comedic heights of 21 Jump Street
The supporting cast in CHiPs includes Rosa Salazar, who adds charisma as a tough and appealing police officer, and veterans like Jane Kaczmarek and Vincent D’Onofrio. D’Onofrio plays the villain, but the film attempts to layer in a sympathetic backstory that feels out of place and unnecessary for a light action comedy. This subplot exemplifies a broader issue with CHiPs: it occasionally tries to be more than it needs to be, losing focus on simple, effective humor that 21 Jump Street mastered.
Plot-wise, CHiPs is convoluted and somewhat forgettable. The narrative setup feels weak, involving corrupt cops and a chain of events sparked by a helicopter jump – details that quickly fade into the background. Shepard’s direction is also inconsistent, with some action sequences suffering from poor editing. While 21 Jump Street had a straightforward undercover premise, its strength lay in the execution of its comedy and character interactions, not complex plot twists.
In terms of humor, CHiPs offers some chuckles, primarily through physical comedy and R-rated jokes involving sex and bodily functions. These jokes are delivered quickly, preventing them from dragging as much as similar humor in other comedies. However, the laughs are sporadic, and the film suffers from stretches where the comedic momentum stalls. This inconsistency in humor further distinguishes it from 21 Jump Street, which maintained a more consistent and sharper comedic tone throughout.
Ultimately, CHiPs is not a terrible movie, and it surpasses low expectations. It has moments of entertainment, largely thanks to the lead actors’ chemistry. However, it constantly battles against the pervasive feeling that a superior version of this type of comedy already exists. The existence of 21 Jump Street looms large, highlighting what CHiPs could have been. If you’re looking for a guaranteed comedic cop action movie night, revisiting 21 Jump Street remains the stronger and more satisfying choice. CHiPs earns a lukewarm recommendation, best reserved for a very slow evening when you’ve truly exhausted all other options, including simply re-watching 21 Jump Street again.
