CJ7 — ** 1/2 — Jiao Xu, Stephen Chow, Kitty Zhang Yuqi; with English subtitles (Chinese dialects); rated PG (violence, slurs, vulgarity, profanity, brief drugs)
The best moments in Hong Kong superstar Stephen Chow's films have come when he's combined martial-arts action and classic cartoon-inspired violence.
"Kung Fu Hustle" (2004) and "Shaolin Soccer" (2001) are probably Chow's cinematic high points and are the prime examples of how his unique comic formula can work. But his latest, the science-fiction comedy "CJ7," has a few rewarding moments as well.
The film disposes with the martial-arts elements entirely, but there's still a loopy, Looney Tunes quality to this material.
So, while to many audiences it might seem bizarre and out there, it's perversely watchable. The movie may qualify as an acquired taste, especially to Chow's growing legion of fans.
Speaking of out there, Chow also cast a young girl, newcomer Jiao Xu, in the lead role. She stars as Dicky, an unpopular and decidedly male youngster.
Dicky's widower father, Ti (Chow), has been working nonstop to keep his son fed, clothed and in an expensive private school. But the boy wants more — in particular, a popular new robotic toy.
Ti can't afford that, though while scrounging through a nearby landfill, he finds what appears to be a green bouncy ball and decides to bring that home.
As it turns out, this "toy" is some sort of robotic/alien life-form from a recently crashed UFO. And Dicky immediately bonds with the fuzzy-faced E.T., which helps the boy cheat on tests and deal with school bullies.
There's a distinct, "E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial"-like flavor, though Steven Spielberg would balk at some of Chow's goofy excesses. The screenwriter/director/actor is also clearly a fan of silent comedies, and his hard-working laborer character may remind some of a few roles Charlie Chaplin played.
And Xu is very good, especially when you consider that this is her first film role. Dicky may come off as a bit bratty but is also very sweet. And a surprisingly dramatic turn at the end of the movie really redeems the character.
"CJ7" is rated PG for some violent action (slapstick, bullying and child-in-peril elements, as well as a violent fall), derogatory slurs, some crude references and humor, scattered profanity, and brief drug references. Running time: 88 minutes.
E-mail: jeff@desnews.com