CJ7

CJ7

Director:

Stephen Chow

Writers:

Stephen Chow
Vincent Kok

Starring:

Stephen Chow
Lei Huang
Kitty Zhang Yuqi
Chi Chung Lam
Shing-Cheung Lee

Rating:

PG

Quotes:

We may be poor, but we don’t fight.  We don’t steal. We don’t lie. We don’t take what does not belong to us.

My friends know that I write for this site, and with the extreme temperatures keeping everyone inside, they have been asking for a fresh pick for DVD.  This is the one I’ve been recommending to everyone; a mental health break from the drama heavy Oscar picks.

Dicky Chow “Xu Jiao”, is a child of about 9 or 10 years old trying to navigate the sometimes cruel and unfair landscape of life in grade school.  Every day is filled with social bullying by his teachers, and physical bullying by his well-off classmates. His dad “Stephen Chow”, is a public works laborer who toils impossible hours in order to pay for Dicky’s education at said school.  His creed, which he imparts almost daily, is: “We may be poor, but we don’t fight.  We don’t steal. We don’t lie. We don’t take what does not belong to us.”

He also scavenges through dumpsters and garbage heaps looking for food or items to bring home.  He comes across a strange green object on one of his trips, and thinks it may be a good toy for his son. The toy ends up being an alien creature that may not bring them wealth or fame, but will change their lives forever.

I can not give much more without spoiling the surprises of the film, but there is one thing I need to point out to parents. The is a death in the film accompanied by a very emotional climax which may be a bit much for those under the age of 8 or 9 years old. There is an English-dubbed version on the DVD, which is okay, although I find the work of Xu Jiao in her own voice (you heard me right, I said her) is what makes this film.

After I first saw Cj7 at the Century on Clark, which was one of the few or possibly the only venue showing this film.  I thought it odd, considering the acclaim that Chow had gained from “Kung-Fu Hustle” and our air city’s appetite for science fiction that the film wasn’t in wide release.  Apparently, they don’t make many sci-fi films in China, and a family-friendly film with subtitles was considered a risk.  Well, the theatre was full of the typical adult art-house and foreign film junkie crowd – and thankfully, we all laughed and cheered like children!

When I rent or borrow films of different genres;although, when the weather is nasty and money tight, I want a movie that makes me laugh out loud.  If I decide to purchase a film, my primary qualification is the “play it again” factor, and this one holds up well, which I’m sure most parents will appreciate.  The DVD also has a really cute game that the kids may like to play, as well as a tutorial video about how to de-bully a bully.  Chow has created a smart, clean family oriented film that kids, parents and even single girls with a sense of humor can enjoy.  Please go get this film – you won’t be disappointed!  

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