 KSL Movie Show Review:...
CJ7 **1/2 By Steve Salles Standard Examiner movie critic In the art houses this week, a new sci-fi children’s adventure from the makers of “Kung Fu Hustle.” The question is - are your children ready for their first subtitled experience? CJ7 **1/2 (PG) language, thematic material, some rude humor and brief smoking. In Cantonese with subtitles. Starring Stephen Chow, Jiao Xu, Kitty Zhang Yuqi, Chi Chung Lam and Shing-Cheung Lee. Co-written and directed by Stephen Chow (“Kung Fu Hustle” “Shaolin Soccer”) - filmed in Ningbo and Hong Kong, China. Playing at the Broadway Centre in SLC and the Megaplex 17 at Jordan Commons in Sandy. 86 minutes. Stephen Chow is a playful Hong Kong director who could be well suited for creating a sci-fi children’s story, but are American children well suited for his kind of humor? And more importantly, are they ready for a Chinese film with English subtitles? He has created the heartwarming tale of a young poor boy Dicky who is attending an up scale private school at the extreme sacrifice of his hard working father. The two live alone in a ramshackled Hong Kong hut. Father goes off to his demanding construction worker job every day, while Dicky sets out for his elite school. Father and son barely get by and you can tell Dicky has gotten used to having his father sew up his ratty shoes and clothes with whatever is handy. However, to his credit, Dicky is not ashamed of being poor. And in fact, embraces his father’s values of hard work and integrity even while the other rich kids at school make fun of him. One particularly kindhearted teacher, Miss Yuen, is quite fond of Dicky and encourages him whenever she can. But Dicky, being a small child, can’t help but long for the things the other kids have. He’s especially desirous of a toy robot dog called CJ1 and begs his father constantly to the point of frustration. Dicky pouts and his father strikes him (which may shock American audiences). He also whines to the point where his father locks him up in a closet (also seemingly cruel). In a desperate attempt to find a toy Dicky will like, father goes to the dump and discovers a strange green ball that he brings home to Dicky. Turns out, it’s a cute alien creature with a furry little head. Dicky is delighted with his new magical toy that can make cool things out of virtually nothing. He becomes a big hit at school with his unique sidekick he calls CJ7. But this newly found power and fame starts going to Dicky’s head and he becomes disrespectful to his father and others. This film reminded me of “E.T.” with a dash of “Flubber” - only it was more comically violent in a Chinese cultural sense than I think American audiences will be comfortable with. Dicky tries to drown the little critter in anger at one point and that’s only one example of the harsh treatment the cute little forgiving alien experiences. So, I don’t know who “CJ7” was made for, but it is playing at the Broadway Centre in SLC and the Megaplex 17 at Jordan Commons in Sandy. movies at a glance: CJ7 **1/2 (PG) language, thematic material, some rude humor and brief smoking. In Cantonese with subtitles. A young poor boy is befriended by a cute toy-like alien but lets his new popularity go to his head. He must regain his values and respect for his father if he hopes to be happy. It’s a strangely violent kids’ movie that has subtitles. So who is the target audience? It’s a Broadway Centre SLC and Jordan Commons in Sandy exclusive.
Movie Showings Links:
Offical Web Site for 'CJ7'...
KSL Real Audio Review:
|
 |
Movie Show Home Page
|
Steve