When undercover FBI agent, Frank ‘Ponch’ Poncherello (Michael Peña) joins the California Highway Patrol (CHP) on the trail of suspected crooked cops, he is partnered in an odd-couple scenario with rookie motorcycle officer, Jon Baker (Dax Shepard).

First published in the October 2025 issue of Street Machine

The sex-addicted Ponch is sharp and focused, while Jon – an ex-motocross star – is a walking basket case, plagued by injuries and struggling to deal with the separation from his wife, Karen (Kristen Bell).

Jon applies for the CHP in a last-ditch attempt to win back Karen’s affections; amazingly, he’s accepted into the ranks, thanks mostly to his exceptional motorbike handling skills.

It’s believed that corrupt CHP cops have been robbing armoured trucks, and it soon turns out that the group’s leader is CHP stalwart, Lieutenant Ray Kurtz (Vincent D’Onofrio, who you just knew was going to be the bad guy due to previous typecasting), whose attitude and demeanour immediately place him in Ponch’s crosshairs.

Clearly very different personalities, it’s not long before Jon and Ponch are clashing. However, some chance discoveries while investigating the heists soon lay the foundation for mutual respect and trust between the pair.

It becomes clear that Kurtz’s involvement is only one part of a much larger picture involving any number of CHP officers, which leaves Jon and Ponch unsure who to trust. However, with help from fellow officers Ava Perez (Rosa Salazar) and the too-hot-to-be-a-cop Lindsey Taylor (Jessica McNamee), along with reluctant backing from Captain Jane Lindel (Jane Kaczmarek), Jon and Ponch manage to piece together the major players, but soon find themselves flying too close to the sun. Following a bike chase, the death of Kurtz’s son Ray Jr (Justin Chatwin) blows the investigation apart and now threatens the lives of the pair.

VEDICT: 4/5

I love a good movie rehash of an old TV show, and CHIPS is now one of my favourite examples of this, offering the perfect mix of humour and action while still paying homage to the foundation buddy-cop premise of the original 1970s/80s series. The onscreen chemistry between Shepard and Peña worked for me, and as I’m not even slightly averse to toilet humour, I found myself laughing out loud at the cringeworthy moments and excellent one-liners. Not every film has to challenge your thinking or move you to tears, so as long as you set your expectations appropriately, you’re not likely to be disappointed.

VEHICLES:

• 2010 BMW R1200
• 1969 Chevrolet Camaro
• 2014 Chevrolet SS
• 2016 Ducati Hypermotard 939
• 2001 Ford Crown Victoria
• 2016 Chevrolet Camaro
• 2015 Ferrari California
• 2005 Ford Mustang

STARS:

• Dax Shepard
• Michael Peña
• Vincent D’Onofrio
• Rosa Salazar
• Adam Brody
• Jane Kaczmarek
• Kristen Bell
• Jessica McNamee
• Justin Chatwin

DIRECTOR:
Dax Shepard

ACTION:
Plenty of two- and four-wheel action offers something to please everyone; some of the motorcycle stunts are next-level!

PLOT:
A rookie Highway Patrol motorcycle cop is teamed up with a hardened undercover federal agent to bust a gang of crooked cops.

AVAILABLE:
Streaming (Max, Prime, Apple TV), Blu-ray, DVD.

COOL FLICK FACT:
As well as supplying some of his personal rides for the film, Dax Shepard also did most of his own stunts, including the motorcycle stoppie during the training test.