C.H.O.M.P.S.

C.H.O.M.P.S. isn't the greatest kid-geared film made, but it is a lot of fun to watch. It's especially fun if you're a dog lover. The idea of a robotic home-security dog that follows number-based commands may have been a bit far-fetched in 1979, but it could be an actuality in the near future. Aside from one serious curse word ("s***", which is why it's rated PG) spoken in the mind of a neighboring dog, C.H.O.M.P.S. is harmless, less violent, & more imaginative than most "children" films nowadays. Yes, it is dopey, but what the heck - it's a cute film for kids & doesn't try to be anything else. Simple, innocent entertainment. The dog is cuddly, the acting is mediocre (several then TV stars are in it - Jim Backus, Conrad Bains, the guy from Land of the Lost, Valerie Bertinelli, Red Buttons, etc.), but it's an enjoyable film if your expectations aren't too high. Give it a chance.

C.H.O.M.P.S. is very much like any number of cheesy late 70s Disney family comedys-The Cat from Outer Space or Unidentified Flying Oddball, for instance. Utterly devoid of anything creative, beating the same cliches to death, yet vaguely entertaining in a mindless sort of way. The actors won't win any awards, nor will the director, writer, or FX crew, but in its inoffensive ness and bland predicatability there is some vague entertainment to be had. The idea of the robot dog as security system is so full of holes you could use it as a colander. The incredibly repetative disco soundtrack will stick in your head, so beware.

Brian (Wesley Eure) works for a security firm owned by Mr. Norton (Conrad Bain). The Norton firm is in financial trouble for, unknown to the owner, he has an employee who is selling secrets to a rival firm's owner (Jim Bacchus). It's not Brian, as he is a loyal and faithful employee and a good inventor. But, Mr. Norton has no patience with Brian, in part because Norton's beautiful daughter, Casey (Valerie Bertinelli) has a thing for Brian and Norton questions Brian's motives for wooing her. However, Brian does come up with a great security device. It's called CHOMPS, which stands for canine home security system. The device, which looks like a dog, is actually a computer controlled animal with the ability to knock down walls and emit siren sounds to capture burglars. The rival owner sends two bungling spies (one is Red Buttons) to learn the details of the new invention. Will CHOMPS save Norton security? This is a fun family flick from the old school of good, clean entertainment. CHOMPS is, of course, a real dog, played by the adorable and talented Benji. In fact, Benji has a duel role, as Brian has a "real" dog named Rascal, too. Just watching this little dog in action is pure joy, as he is able to scale walls, "pull" trucks, and operate machine buttons to capture the bad guys. The human cast is also quite nice, with everyone giving upbeat performances that are infectious. Costumes, scenery, and production values are good, too. Although you may have trouble locating the film, it would be well worth the effort to secure a view for your closest loved ones. CHOMPS is a wonderful, wholesome diversion from the world's woes.

Who remembers the lovable mutt Benji? Or Max the bionic German Shepherd in "The Bionic Woman"? Now there's a crime fighting dog created by the image of Rascal; C.H.O.M.P.S! This crime-fighting canine makes Max look like a rescue dog. He's got features that Max doesn't have. Like x-ray vision, and super-strength. Well, Max has the strength, but not the x-ray vision. C.H.O.M.P.S is always alert. He can sense the crime others dogs can't. This movie has a very great cast: Wesley Eure of "Land of the Lost", Valerie Bertinelli of "One Day at a Time", Conrad Bain of "Maude" and "Diff'rent Strokes" fame, Jim Backus of "Gilligan's Island" fame and the voice of "Mr. Magoo". Amazing that Hanna-Barbera would be involved in this film. A fusion of animation and live scenes. When they say fun for the whole family, they mean it! This movie is really made for dog lovers, so dogs should be watching it as well. 4 out of 5 stars

C.H.O.M.P.S which starred Wesley Eure and Valerie Bertinelli has Eure as a young inventor working for Bertinelli's father Conrad Bain at a security firm. After the latest of Eure's systems fails, Eure loses his job, but Valerie has faith in him.

And its more than justified when Eure comes up with a computer driven super dog named C.H.O.M.P.S. which has far more powers than your average pooch. With a set of number commands the dog which is modeled on Eure's real life terrier can do all kinds of things in keeping a given area safe and apprehending those who break in. I'll let you see the film to see what C.H.O.M.P.S can do.

But there's also Larry Bishop who is both putting the moves on Bertinelli and secretly working for Bain's rival Jim Backus. And Backus and Bishop also have a pair of inept crooks played by Red Buttons and Chuck McCann in roles that must have originally been meant for Tim Conway and Don Knotts.

This is a light and amusing family entertainment film that still holds up well for today. Nice and unpretentious, I recommend it highly for juvenile audiences.