Synopsis & Photos - Fandago
Shaolin Soccer and Kung Fu Hustle director Stephen Chow returns to the helm for this sci-fi comedy about a struggling single father whose quest to find the perfect toy yields out-of-this-world results. Ti (Chow) is a poor construction worker who breaks his back to ensure that his young son Dicky (Xu Jiao) can stay enrolled in an exclusive private school. But while Ti does everything possible to give his son the opportunities that he never had, Dicky still feels like a classroom reject due to his tattered clothes and lack of the latest toys. Dicky's classmates all play with the coolest and most expensive gadgets that money can buy, so how is a kid who gets his toys from the local junkyard ever supposed to fit in? One day, while scrounging through the trash heap in search of a new toy, Ti discovers a mysterious orb and brings it straight back to Dicky. Though at first the "CJ7" appears to be little more than an unidentifiable oddity, it proves to be much, much more once the young boy starts to play with it. This isn't your average action figure, but a living "pet" with extraordinary powers. Realizing that his new toy may be just the thing to help him fit in with his demanding classmates, Dicky brings the CJ7 to school with him in order to show it off and have some fun. But the CJ7 has its own ideas about how to have fun, and it isn't long before the situation at school gets hopelessly out of hand.
~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
After the success of Shaolin Soccer and Kung Fu Hustle, Stephen Chow had a lot to live up to. Epecially to his fans in the USA.
However, little did the fans realize that CJ7 is a totally different type of film they were used to. Sure, Stephen has been in numerous films before using his humor. And before the American audience ever gotten exposure to his creativity. Sure, CJ7 still has some humor but has a Sci-Fi feel.
Not only that, Stephen has given the child star of the movie the main focus. Xu Jiao who plays Dickey, Stephen's son in the movie, actually is a girl!
Kids will love this movie. No doubt. Others will criticize it and find flaws. My kids enjoyed it but was a bit disappointed in not seeing more martial arts.
There were two references that were shown from Stephen's previous movies -- Shaolin Soccer & Kung Fu Hustle. My kids definitely saw them and pointed them out. Shaolin Soccer - sneakers and soccer ball scene. Kung Fu Hustle - Buddha Palm scene.
The animated creature was really adorable. I want one too!!!
Overall, a bit disappointed.
