CJ7

For someone like me, born and raised in China in a poor family, Chow's work was absolutely fantastic! CJ-7 constantly reminds me of those poorly happy times I have spent with my friends and family during my childhood, flashing to my mind those very basic and simplistic values of living to an average Chinese boy like myself. Nostalgic with a touch of humor, to me this movie is simply a 10 star hit! But, viewing it from a more literal perspective, people will see this work as "the same old stuff"... over and over again... that is true, from the use of mo lei tau comedy to computer CG, Chow has not made any improvements not to mention innovation ever since his "Shaolin Soccer" world class movie debut. This generally deducted the 2 stars from the rating.

But compared with a lot of the 3rd rated movies released in 2008 out there, this is sure worth the time!

Cj7 is a very funny movie!

I'm sure, anyone who love fiction movie will love this one!

Xu Jiao acting is not really good, in crying scene, she (yes! Xu Jiao is a 9-year-old GIRL) doesn't do it really well, looks like she's laughing... but, in all scene before and after that scene, She does it pretty well.

the plot is good, I like it, because I can smile and sad in one scene...! besides, the 'cj7' is cute..^^ I'm sure any children will love it!

but... I don't recommend this movie to someone who hate fiction movie!! or someone who only like logical movie! because, this is just an entertaining movie... in some scene, you will find something impossible in the real world! so, don't think about it really much, just enjoy it!!^^

This was a totally entertaining movie. A movie from a different culture. The winer about brutality to CJ7 needs to view the movie completely, without the sappy American insights. Hey, the kid thought it was a toy - we don't all have the insight of the movie viewer. This was like a revised E.T. without the Spielberg sermonizing. Lots of fun. Interesting in the similarities in the father's workplace, and his boss to our culture. Rent it, don't buy it as once is enough... but once is enjoyable. I loved Kung Fu Hustle, and this movie shows another side of Stephen Chow. Of course, I can't wait for Kung Fu Hustle 2! Watch this one forthe fun of it... kids should enjoy it immensely.

First I do realize that this style of humor is not for everyone, and in fact some of the jokes fall flat on me, but I must say, for the most part I found this film to be hilarious. The young kids in this film, both the main character and his enemy at school are amazing actors for their age, the director Stephen Chow not only directs a good film but delivers a great performance as the main characters father as well. If I had any complaints at all it would be about the special effects, I do admit that they are very good at times and I'm willing to guess that they were intended to look the way they do, but I personally thought they just looked to fake. Also for this being a kids film, I sure thought there was a lot of anger coming from the main character towards CJ7 especially in a few surprisingly violent films, sure it's cartoon violence but in a kids film that doesn't work for me. I have heard many comparisons between this film and E.T. which in some ways I would agree with, but correct me if I'm wrong but I don't remember Elliot ever beating the crap out of E.T. So yes there is that small detail, but that is all easily over looked along with some of the jokes that fall flat because despite it, a great film with great acting that at times is down right laugh out loud hilarious lies beneath.

"It can be demonstrated that the child's contact with the real world is strengthened by his periodic excursions into fantasy. It becomes easier to tolerate the frustrations of the real world and to accede to the demands of reality if one can restore himself at intervals in a world where the deepest wishes can achieve imaginary gratification." Selma H. Fraiberg, Child Psychologist

Stephen Chow is a big star in Asia, and his fantasy CJ7 is a big hit. Although I'm not sure American audiences will return a Jackie-Chan-like box office bundle for this E. T. knock off, I do know that allegorical, off-the-wall, science fictional kid flicks like this are rare and fun if you give yourself into their absurdity.

Some critics liken Chow to Jerry Lewis; Chow is much more imaginative than Lewis, relying as Chow does less on slapstick and more on the intriguing impulses of a small Chinese boy, whose poverty serves as a catalyst for his life-defining experience discovering an outer space dog-like companion and his own love for a hapless but adorable father. Overcoming the bullying about his status in the playground and finding love in a classmate, teacher, father, and alien are enough for most of us in a lifetime.

Chow handles the eccentric material with ease as he minimizes CGI and marginalizes himself for the impressive talents of young Jiao Xu (actually a girl) as the growing-up-fast Dickey. The film comes close to Lassie-like sentiment but never fully settles in that territory. The requisite moralizing, in this case about the importance of love and education, is not suffocating, and the imaginative dream sequences are just that: out-there fantasies of a boy who needs a faithful toy and loving father.

The Yangtze River is known as "Changjiang" in Mandarin, therefore the shortened "CJ," which is also the name for Chinese activities such as space probes. No matter, for these multiple references serve to emphasize the lighter than air world of a man, his boy, and a space dog.

E. T. has come home again in a different form with much less fanfare, yet every child has to love the anarchy.