Chips (2017)
Genre: Action
Certification: 15
Duration: 100 minutes
Directed by: Dax Shepard
Starring: Michael Peña, Dax Shepard, Jessica McNamee, Adam Brody, Ryan Hansen, Kristen Bell, Vincent D’Onofrio
KRS Releasing Ltd

The 1977-1983 TV series CHiPs about two motorcycle officers gets its comic big screen adaptation.

Dax Shepard, perhaps best known for the MTV practical joke reality series Punk’d and drama Parenthood, besides such feature films as Employee of the Month (2006) and Hit and Run (2012), wrote and directed the film and also stars as one of the main protagonists.

Jon Baker (Shepard) and Frank ‘Ponch’ Poncherello (Michael Peña) have just joined the California Highway Patrol in Los Angeles but for very different reasons. Baker is a former motorbike rider who is trying to put his life and marriage back together, while Poncherello is a cocky, undercover FBI agent who is investigating a multimillion- dollar heist that may be an inside job. Forced to work together, the inexperienced rookie and hardened veteran begin clashing instead of clicking while trying to get the bad guys.

The film also stars Shepard’s wife Kristen Bell (of Veronica Mars fame) in a supporting role. She will be joined by an ensemble cast that includes Vincent D’Onofrio as the villain, Adam Brody and Jessica McNamee among others. Erik Estrada, who played the original Ponch, will have a cameo role.

Described as a cross between Bad Boys and Lethal Weapon, the film is being released in some countries tomorrow. It is opening in Malta on Friday, along with the UK and the US.

Ratings
IMDB: N/A
Rotten Tomatoes: N/A
Empire: N/A

Power Rangers (2017)
Genre: Action
Certification: 12A
Duration: 102 minutes
Directed by: Dean Israelite
Starring: Dacre Montgomery, Naomi Scott, R.J. Cyler, Ludi Lin, Becky G, Elizabeth Banks, Bryan Cranston, Bill Hader
KRS Releasing Ltd

The new Power Rangers film serves as a reboot and reimagining of the popular franchise.

The new Power Rangers step in to save the world.

The plot sees five ordinary teens banding together to become something extraordinary when they learn that their small town of Angel Grove – and the world – is on the verge of being obliterated by an alien threat.

The film features most of the main characters of the 1990s animated series Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, including Jason Scott (Red Ranger) as the leader of the troupe and members Kimberly Hart (Pink Ranger), Billy Cranston (Blue Ranger), Trini (Yellow Ranger) and Zack (Black Ranger).

Unlike the original source, Blue Ranger is autistic and Trini is lesbian. In fact, this is the first blockbuster film to feature an openly gay superhero.

Director Dean Israelite (Project Almanac) described the moment as “pivotal” to the film.

He told the Hollywood Reporter: “She’s questioning a lot about who she is. She hasn’t fully figured it out yet. I think what’s great about that scene and what that scene propels for the rest of the movie is, ‘That’s OK’.

The film is being released worldwide, including Malta, on Friday.

Ratings
IMDB: N/A
Rotten Tomatoes: 50%
Empire: N/A