CJ7
Directed by and starring Stephen Chow (Kung Fu Hustle)
Rated PG for language, thematic material, some rude humor, and brief smoking
Appropriate for all ages
Available August 12, 2008 on DVD and Blu-ray disc
In case the Olympic games in Beijing fail to give you your China fix, never fear – famed Chinese director/actor Stephen Chow is here to give us his version of ET. With big adult hits like Kung Fu Hustle and Shaolin Soccer behind him, he decided to make a childrens film next. But this is no ordinary kid flick. CJ7 follows the life of a father and his son living in extreme poverty in China. The father, played by Chow, works hard at a construction job so that his son can go to a private school and have great opportunities. When he is unable to buy his son a popular toy that he wants, he stumbles across a strange alien pet in a junkyard. Calling it CJ7, the alien befriends the boy, causes tons of mischief, and teaches everyone a lesson in life. This is a truly weird little film that is worth watching not because of it’s terrific filmmaking or storytelling (it has neither) but rather for it’s creativity and uniqueness. The pic is in Chinese with subtitles as well an English dub for those that either can’t read yet, or don’t want to. Movie: B Extras: C-