CHiPs '99 (1998) (TV)

User Rating:

4.5/10   

Director:

Jon Cassar

Writers:

Rick Rosner (story) and
Morgan Gendel (story) ...

Release Date:

27 October 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Plot:

Ponch has returned to the police force, and is determined to help his friend Jon in investigating various car thefts. |

Plot Keywords:

Character Name In Title

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Larry Wilcox	...	Captain Jon Baker
Erik Estrada	...	Officer Frank 'Ponch' Poncherello
Robert Pine	...	CHP Commissioner Joseph Getraer
Paul Korver	...	Officer Peter Roulette
David Ramsey	...	Officer Sergeant McFall
Brodie Greer	...	Officer Barry Baricza
Bruce Penhall	...	Sergeant Bruce Nelson
Paul Linke	...	Detective Arthur Grossman
Judy Sheindlin	...	Herself
Jonathan Baker	...	Delby
Joe Basile	...	Ricardo
Stephen J. Cannell	...	Bendix
Johnnie L. Cochran Jr.	...	Himself
Brian Fenwick	...	Slater
Googy Gress	...	Nyeman

Runtime:

USA:120 min (including commercials) | USA:94 min (video version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Filming Locations:

California, USA

Company:

Turner Films Inc.

Goofs:

Factual errors: The Caltrans freeway cameras do not have "crane-shot" movement, as can be seen when they zoom in on the license plate. Those cameras only have the mobility of 360° rotation.

Movie Connections:

Follows "CHiPs" (1977)

They're BACK!! The EXCITING return of Ponch & Jon!

Finally, the long-awaited CHiPs '99 movie!! Special thanks to TNT for making all CHiPs fans' dreams come true. We get to see all of our favorites (except Harlan and Bonnie) return to the screen and update us on what has been happening in their lives over the past 15 years!

The movie is fabulous--the cool 70's style that first caught my attention, somewhat somewhat to the 90's. It is interesting to see both how the CHP has changed and how the characters (most especially Ponch and Jon) have changed. Yes, there are parts that were very unbelievable, but then again, this is CHiPs, and it only adds to the fun. It's also great to see that it's still possible to produce quality TV today that isn't too profanity-filled/etc. for family viewing. My favorite scene was a much-publicized one in which Jon (Larry Wilcox) really really does his own stuntwork on top of a moving bus--quite impressive!

My only regret is that while we see a lot of Getraer, we don't see much use made of Baricza, Grossman, and Bruce Nelson...their appearances seem almost like cameos. The two new officers (Roulette & McFall) never quite catch my interest, either...they seem like exaggerations of the most distinctive characteristics of Ponch & Jon (really brash & really nice).

A must-see if you watched CHiPs between 1977-83...pay special attention to the explanation (or lack thereof) of Jon's return to the force (since he wasn't around during the 1982-83 season) and how the writers handle the fact that 2 of Ponch's former partners are hanging around in the movie. Definitely worth the wait!