C.H.O.M.P.S. Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		3.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		3.5

C.H.O.M.P.S. Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf March 2, 2022

There was something about the 1970s and movies interested in exploring the canine experience. Dogs were involved in robbing banks, saving families, and, apparently, becoming high-tech robots meant to dominate the home security industry. 1979’s “C.H.O.M.P.S.” endeavors to take the cute and cuddly ways of a pet and turn it into a slapstick comedy with some action beats. It’s one of the few ventures into live-action filmmaking from animation titans Hanna-Barbera (coming off their work on “Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park”), who retain their cartoon instincts for the feature, which is directly aimed at 5-year-olds in need of aggressive music cues and broad antics to understand the entertainment value of the picture. “C.H.O.M.P.S.” isn’t made for adults, but it’s not exactly a shining example of family entertainment, as the simplistic screenplay and unrelenting goofiness of the supporting cast wears thin in a hurry, even for the target demographic.

Business is not going well for Norton Security Systems, with boss Ralph (Conrad Bain) in need of a fresh idea to increase sales. He’s put his faith into Brian (Wesley Eure), a bright young man who’s been distracted with his latest invention. Using dog Rascal as inspiration, Brian has created C.H.O.M.P.S. (Canine Home Protection System), a robot dog with super senses and loud speakers capable of warding away trouble. Brian manages to impress Ralph’s daughter, Casey (Valerie Bertinelli), with the robotic pooch, providing demonstrations of its abilities. Ralph is less pleased, needed something more to win him over, while rival Gibbs (Jim Backus) is breathing down his neck, trying to take over Norton with help from his inside man, Ken (Larry Bishop). With bumbling crooks Brooks (Chuck McCann) and Bracken (Red Buttons) sneaking around causing trouble, C.H.O.M.P.S. springs into action, keeping Brian on his toes as the machine showcases its incredible powers.

This being a Hanna-Barbera production, “C.H.O.M.P.S.” naturally opens with an animated main title sequence that’s meant to recall similar work for “The Pink Panther” series, also giving the production a chance to gobble up four minutes of screentime right out of the gate. It’s a lively way to begin the picture, but cartoon style doesn’t end here, continuing into the film with another dog known as Monster. He terrorizes local animals, but we also hear his thoughts, and he’s got a bit of a potty mouth, helping to butch up the feature for older viewers. Rascal doesn’t receive the same treatment, staying silent, but trying to figure out the rules of “C.H.O.M.P.S.” isn’t advised, as the movie just simply does anything it wants to get by, on a singular mission to keep kids happy during matinee babysitting time.

“C.H.O.M.P.S” spends a lot of time on introductions, with Brian happy to send the robot on various missions to prove its capabilities. There’s x-ray vision and super speed, and the dog is controlled by numerical commands, leading to occasional confusion as outsiders accidentally speak numbers during average conversations. Time with Brian and his machine is fine, with Eure a bright screen presence, working hard to sell the lightness of the endeavor, offering mild chemistry with Bertinelli. There are a lot of dog high jinks in “C.H.O.M.P.S.” to hold attention as well, which isn’t unappealing.

Less compelling is the human side of things, as Ken is up to no good, also training his attention on Casey, leading to some jealous feelings from Brian, though the feature doesn’t make much time for a romantic subplot to develop. Hurting the picture is criminal activity, with boobs Brooks and Bracken returning to the story periodically to provide wacky accidents and miscommunication. Buttons and McCann commit to their moments, but it’s basic slapstick at best, with director Don Chaffey refusing to spend any more time on it than he has to.

C.H.O.M.P.S. Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Listed as a "New 2K Master," "C.H.O.M.P.S." arrives on Blu-ray with an AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation. Detail is a bit soft, but provides an appreciation for skin surfaces and period costuming. Animal fur and robotic innards are also open for inspection, along with urban distances and office spaces. Color offers natural skintones and dog fur, also doing well with clothing choices and decorative additions. Primaries are intact. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain has slight blockiness at times. Source is in good condition, with a few damaged frames.

C.H.O.M.P.S. Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix shows some signs of age, with slightly crackly highs and some sibilance issues. Dialogue exchanges remain appreciable, with a satisfactory sense of performance. The crazy score is also adequate, supporting the action with decent instrumentation. Sound effects are louder, but inherently so.

C.H.O.M.P.S. Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Intro (:34, HD) is a brief clip of actor Wesley Eure welcoming viewers to the "C.H.O.M.P.S." Blu-ray experience.

• Commentary features actor Wesley Eure and co-writer Duane Poole.

• Interview (9:13, HD) is a brief chat with actor Wesley Eure, who welcomes viewers to the commentary track for "C.H.O.M.P.S." Eure was an in-demand actor in the late 1970s, appearing on both "Days of Our Lives" and "Land of the Lost," juggling gigs when he was hired for the movie, adding momentum to his young career. Co-stars are recalled, offering reverence for Red Buttons and Jim Backus, and he shares fond memories of Valerie Bertinelli. Anecdotes are provided, including the production's demand for Eure's own truck for use in the picture. The interviewee delivers kind words for director Don Chaffey and the Hanna-Barbera team, and remains in awe of the "C.H.O.M.P.S." fanbase, hoping the feature will find a new audience on Blu-ray.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:57, HD) is included.

C.H.O.M.P.S. Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

In an alternate world, "C.H.O.M.P.S." would be directed by a young David Cronenberg, exploring the primal connection between people and their machine pets. Instead, the film is a Disney-like presentation of buffoonery, with cranked-up performances and a punishing score by Hoyt Curtin, which loops throughout the whole feature. It's not completely dispiriting viewing experience, but the potential of "C.H.O.M.P.S." certainly isn't realized.