Despite Potty Humor, ‘CJ7’ Crosses Into Cliché to Reveal Alien Lassie

CHICAGO – Stephen Chow, who directed “Shaolin Soccer” and “Kung Fu Hustle,” brings us his latest eccentricity in the form of the kid-oriented film “CJ7”. Slapstick antics, sarcastic humor and excessively absurd characters are simply a few of Chow’s cinematic trademarks and “CJ7” is no exception to his design.

This sci-fi tale of whimsy takes place in Hong Kong with Ti (played by Stephen Chow) as the single father trying to properly raise his son, Dicky (played by Jiao Xu), on the wages of a construction worker.

“CJ7”. Photo credit: IMDb

The film begins by exploiting the poverty Dicky and Ti live in by showing Dicky’s worn-out shoes and dirty clothing. Dicky’s desire to assimilate to school fashions and to possess toys like his schoolmates is overwhelming and his father struggles throughout the film to fulfill his son’s needs.

After breaking his son’s heart by not buying him the robot dog “CJ6,” Ti takes a trip to the local dump to search for gifts for the boy. His findings lead to an extraterrestrial toy that he brings home to his pouting son.

When Dicky learns his new toy is really an alien dog, he decides to name him CJ7. The hilarious antics between a boy and his extraterrestrial dog then ensue.

CJ7 helps Dicky’s confidence grow throughout the film and the relationship between the boy and his father create an unexpected and heartwarming touch.

“CJ7”. Photo credit: IMDb

The plot crosses into the cliché, though, and an alien Lassie comes forth that leaves us with a surprising, Hollywood ending.

The characters bring energy and enthusiasm to the screen with potty humor and exaggerated jesting to remind the viewer that “CJ7” is a movie made for kids.

Xu is arguably the most adorable child actor in cinema and Chow uses his talented cuteness to deploy childish humor and an occasional tear-jerking moment.

Chow’s own character sympathizes with all single parents trying to do what’s best for their child. He makes light of hard times by playing games to kill cockroaches and finding shoes at the junkyard for his son. While “CJ7” brings “awww, he’s so cute” moments to the screen, it also has a rough and tough quality that forces you to smile.

“CJ7”. Photo credit: IMDb

Chow’s exaggerated martial arts don’t overpower the film and are used in funny moments between oversized schoolyard bullies and minuscule pipsqueaks.

Fantastic sequences of the boy overcoming his fears weave in and out of the story and hyper movements, playful sounds and exaggerated voices riddle the film with giggles.

The plot of a dog from outer space coming to save a boy and his father is reminiscent of a 1980s kids sci-fi movie and a rather unlikely choice for the eccentric Chow. While cliché and extreme predictability can describe the storyline, this film is fun and happy and absolutely amusing.

Even so, the transition into the kid’s film genre may seem abrupt to the typical Chow fan. Children will find it entertaining and perhaps even the child inside the adult will, too. Whether you are a Chow fan or simply need some playful humor in your life, “CJ7” is a film worth seeing nonetheless.

By ALLISON PITACCIO Staff Writer HollywoodChicago.com allee@hollywoodchicago.com