CJ7 Premier by Giant Robot

Stephen Chow has a new film out titled CJ7.  Giant Robot recently had a LA premier for the new movie and guest discussion panel including director, actor Stephen Chow and his co-star Xu Jiao.  The movie is about a poor working class construction worker Ti and his son Dicky, who has to deal with class prejudice at his school with fellow students and particular teachers.  Being too poor to afford new shoes or toys for his son, Ti comes across a strange ball in the junkyard and tells his son that it is a new version of the toy he had his eye on in the toy store.  The toy turns out to be a space alien of some kind with special powers.   Hijinx ensues between all the characters of the film that will leave you laughing, smiling, and maybe crying at times.  Although a bit of a departure from his previous films Shaolin Soccer and Kung Fu Hustle.  This film still has Chow's sense of humor, slapstick and good storytelling for fans of all ages.  A great film to take children to although not sure if they are releasing this movie with an English overdub.  Children will definitely have to have reading skills for the subtitles.  Having been a big fan of Chow's previous movies I was little disappointed that there was very little martial arts in the film.  But this isn't a martial arts film its a childrens movie that relies more on its storytelling and effects than martial arts.  So don't go into seeing this film expecting another Kung Fu Hustle.  If you can get beyond expecting to see over the top Kung Fu sequences, then you will enjoy this film.    

The maestro himself Stephen Chow.  

Actress Xu Jiao during the panel after the premier.  When asked why he chose a girl to play the lead part of Dicky Chow.  Stephen Chow said that Xu seemed to be the child that would be easier to work with from the casting for the movie.  Either way she does a great job and if you didn't know beforehand that the character is played by a girl then it probably would never occur to you until you found out this info.

Martin Wong of Giant Robot leading the discussion panel questionnaire.  CJ7 is playing now in limited release, the trailer can be viewed on Youtube and the movie's official Sony Pictures site.