CJ7 [長江七號] is a 2008 Hong Kong science fiction/comedy film co-written, co-produced and directed by Stephen Chow, who also stars in the film. Normally, I don't really watched Stephen Chow's movies as it's more comedy than trying to convey an actual message, but I was mesmerized by the trailer seen everywhere in Singapore and though maybe I'll buy the DVD release instead. Turns out, I wasn't disappointed. The other reason I was attracted to CJ7 is partly because of the alien dog that was featured and basically the star of the show is the alien dog itself.

Chow Ti is a poor laborer working odd jobs but we mostly see him working at construction sites. He lives in a semi-demolished house with his son, Dicky. Chow is eager to send his son to a private school, partly to ensure that Dicky can have a chance to study and at a good school too. However, Dicky is often bullied by his classmates and his teacher, and he usually finds comfort with a young teacher, Ms. Yuen who does not seem bothered by his lowly status or the fact that Dicky is poor. One day, while watching television outside a department store, Dicky wanders into the toy store and begged his father to buy him a popular robotic toy called CJ1. Chow cannot afford it, and the situation ends badly after Chow spanks the stubborn Dicky in front of other customers. Once again, Dicky finds comfort in Ms. Yuen, who happened to pass by. That night, Chow went to the junkyard to find a pair of running shoes for Dicky so that he can attend Physical Education class. However, he finds a strange green orb and brought it home, telling Dicky that he have a better toy, better than CJ1. Dicky is hesitant at first, but checks it out and decides to keep it.

The next evening, the strange green orb transformed into a cuddly alien creature Dicky befriends. Dicky names the alien "CJ7", played with it and fell asleep, dreaming that the alien will help him gain popularity and good grades at school. Influenced by his dream, Dicky takes CJ7 to school the following morning, but he receives a zero on his exam and is humiliated during Physical Education class by his teacher. Frustrated, Dicky tries to dispose of the alien creature, but realizes his mistake and later reconciles with it when he found the alien creature waiting for him at home. The next day, because of his alien pet, Dicky begins to make new friends at school. However, as his grades have been declining, Chow takes CJ7 away, stating his son will never pass school if there are distractions. The father and son fall out and, predictably, Dicky sticks close to Ms. Yuen, who promises she will look after him. This cheers Chow up somewhat, as he fears that he might lose his son's love over an argument.

Chow went back to the construction site and got his job back. Later, while Chow is working on a skyscraper, the heavy pipe he is shackled to plummet, dragging him along with it. He later passed away at the hospital, and Ms. Yuen takes Dicky home, explaining what has happened. But Dicky shoved his teacher out of the house and through his tears he tells himself that his father would never leave him alone and that his father would be right beside him when he wake up in the morning.

Meanwhile at the hospital, CJ7 used its otherworldly powers and revived Chow and transports him home. The next morning, Dicky, in tears of happiness, promises his father he will never give up at school or in life. However, the cost of CJ7's rescue is high, using his own life to exchange for Chow's life. CJ7 "passed away" and transformed into a minature key-chain like soft toy. Meanwhile, Dicky waited for his pet to resurrect, hoping that at the count of three or when he opened his eyes, CJ7 would be standing in front of him once again. And one calm afternoon during a school picnic which his school had organized, Dicky's wildest dream came true when a UFO zooms by, dropping hundreds of healthy CJ7s in front of him.

I mean, who wouldn't love that scene. It's as if CJ7 heard Dicky's wish and decided to grant it by having not only CJ7 appear in front of him again, but with a whole troop of colorful CJ7s'. You bet I'll open my doors and windows wide open if aliens ever looked so darn cute!! Anyway, here's the trailer for this movie. For those who haven't watched this movie yet, do me a favor and get the DVD. I promise you'll be laughing and crying throughout his movie. You'll feel for Dicky, Chow Ti and CJ7 throughout and will be endeared by the message that is conveyed in the movie.