CHiPs
The adventures of two California Highway Patrol motorcycle officers as they make their rounds on the freeways of Los Angeles.
Working with a respectable budget of $25.0M, the film achieved a steady performer with $26.8M in global revenue (+7% profit margin).
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
CHiPs (2017) exemplifies carefully calibrated dramatic framework, characteristic of Dax Shepard's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 40 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Jon Baker
Frank 'Ponch' Poncherello
Karen Baker
Ray Kurtz
Lindsey Taylor
Main Cast & Characters
Jon Baker
Played by Dax Shepard
A former X-Games motorbike rider trying to rebuild his life and marriage by joining the California Highway Patrol.
Frank 'Ponch' Poncherello
Played by Michael Peña
An undercover FBI agent investigating a multi-million dollar heist ring within the CHP, posing as a rookie officer.
Karen Baker
Played by Kristen Bell
Jon's estranged wife, a successful professional who has grown distant from her struggling husband.
Ray Kurtz
Played by Vincent D'Onofrio
A corrupt CHP officer and the primary antagonist orchestrating heists from within the department.
Lindsey Taylor
Played by Rosa Salazar
Jon and Ponch's training officer and field supervisor who becomes entangled in the investigation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Jon Baker crashes during an X-Games motorbike competition, establishing him as a washed-up extreme athlete with a broken body and broken marriage. Ponch conducts an FBI undercover operation gone wrong in Miami, showing his reckless but effective style.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Jon and Ponch are paired as partners despite their complete incompatibility - Jon is earnest and rule-following but physically limited, while Ponch is a sex-addicted wildcard with his own secret agenda. This forced partnership disrupts both their plans.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 24 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to After a freeway armored car heist by dirty cops on motorcycles, Jon and Ponch commit to working together to solve the case. Jon wants to prove himself as a real officer, and Ponch needs Jon's help to maintain his cover and complete his investigation., moving from reaction to action.
At 51 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Jon and Ponch identify Ray Kurtz and his crew as the dirty cops and set up a sting operation. They feel victorious and in control, believing they're about to crack the case. Their partnership is working. False victory - they think they're winning but don't see the trap being set., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 74 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Jon discovers Ponch has been lying about being FBI and using him as cover. Their partnership shatters. Jon feels betrayed and used - his one chance at redemption destroyed by deception. Ponch is exposed and his investigation compromised. Both are at their lowest point, alone and defeated., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 80 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Ponch comes clean to Jon, apologizing genuinely and revealing the full scope of the corruption. Jon realizes that despite the lies, their partnership was real. They choose to reunite, combining Jon's motorbike skills and knowledge of the CHP with Ponch's FBI tactics. True partnership forged through honesty., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
CHiPs's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping CHiPs against these established plot points, we can identify how Dax Shepard utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish CHiPs within the action genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Bad Guys, Lake Placid and Zoom.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Jon Baker crashes during an X-Games motorbike competition, establishing him as a washed-up extreme athlete with a broken body and broken marriage. Ponch conducts an FBI undercover operation gone wrong in Miami, showing his reckless but effective style.
Theme
During CHP orientation, an instructor mentions that partnership and trust are the foundation of highway patrol work - foreshadowing the buddy-cop dynamic and the film's exploration of what it means to be a real partner.
Worldbuilding
Jon applies to CHP as a last-ditch effort to prove himself to his wife Karen, who is having an affair. Ponch arrives undercover as "Frank Poncherello" to investigate corrupt officers stealing money. Both enter the CHP academy, establishing the world of California Highway Patrol and their contrasting motivations.
Disruption
Jon and Ponch are paired as partners despite their complete incompatibility - Jon is earnest and rule-following but physically limited, while Ponch is a sex-addicted wildcard with his own secret agenda. This forced partnership disrupts both their plans.
Resistance
Jon and Ponch resist their partnership. Jon tries desperately to be a good cop while dealing with chronic pain and Karen's betrayal. Ponch investigates the corrupt officers while juggling his FBI handler and his inability to focus. Their first patrol together is a disaster of incompetence and clashing personalities.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
After a freeway armored car heist by dirty cops on motorcycles, Jon and Ponch commit to working together to solve the case. Jon wants to prove himself as a real officer, and Ponch needs Jon's help to maintain his cover and complete his investigation.
Mirror World
Jon and Ponch begin to bond despite their differences. Ponch starts to see Jon as more than just a bumbling rookie, and Jon begins to appreciate Ponch's skills. Their budding friendship represents the partnership theme - they need each other to become complete.
Premise
Buddy-cop hijinks ensue as Jon and Ponch investigate the heist ring. Chase sequences, comedic misunderstandings, and action set pieces deliver on the film's promise. They narrow down suspects within the CHP, including the charismatic but suspicious Ray Kurtz. Jon uses his motorbike skills while Ponch uses his FBI training.
Midpoint
Jon and Ponch identify Ray Kurtz and his crew as the dirty cops and set up a sting operation. They feel victorious and in control, believing they're about to crack the case. Their partnership is working. False victory - they think they're winning but don't see the trap being set.
Opposition
Ray Kurtz realizes Ponch is investigating him and turns the tables. The corrupt cops become more dangerous and aggressive. Jon's physical limitations become liabilities. Ponch's lies about his identity create tension. Karen serves Jon with divorce papers, crushing his hopes. Everything starts falling apart.
Collapse
Jon discovers Ponch has been lying about being FBI and using him as cover. Their partnership shatters. Jon feels betrayed and used - his one chance at redemption destroyed by deception. Ponch is exposed and his investigation compromised. Both are at their lowest point, alone and defeated.
Crisis
Jon wallows in pain medication and despair about his failed marriage and ruined CHP career. Ponch sits alone, realizing his lone-wolf approach has cost him the first real friendship he's had. Both question whether they can succeed or if they're fundamentally broken.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Ponch comes clean to Jon, apologizing genuinely and revealing the full scope of the corruption. Jon realizes that despite the lies, their partnership was real. They choose to reunite, combining Jon's motorbike skills and knowledge of the CHP with Ponch's FBI tactics. True partnership forged through honesty.
Synthesis
Jon and Ponch execute a plan to stop Ray Kurtz's final heist. A massive freeway chase and fight sequence ensues. Jon overcomes his physical limitations through determination and teamwork. Ponch trusts Jon completely. They work in perfect sync as true partners, taking down the corrupt cops and saving the day.
Transformation
Jon and Ponch ride together as official CHP partners, both transformed. Jon has found his purpose and self-worth beyond his marriage. Ponch has learned to trust and connect. They've become the team the opening said was essential - partners who trust each other completely.