CJ7 Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "CJ7" is a visual treat, presented in 1080p with the film's original 2.40:1 aspect ratio. This release from Sony excels in delivering a striking, richly detailed image across various settings. Whether it's the brightly lit exterior of the school or the dimly lit interior of Ti and Dicky's apartment, the transfer is consistently deep and vibrant. Colors are magnificent, revealing a myriad of natural hues that create a three-dimensional effect on the screen. The image is impeccably sharp, highlighting fine details in clothing, faces, and objects. For instance, the construction site's debris and the sweat on workers' faces are vividly detailed, as are the textures of trees and straw hats. Though some indoor shots might have slightly soft backgrounds, they maintain a rich, realistic feel that brings the grimy apartment to life.

Moreover, the 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer does an excellent job balancing color and detail, creating a lush and vibrant visual experience. Despite a generally bleak palette, Chow's clever use of blues and greens enhances the three-dimensional appeal of exterior shots and adds charm to interior scenes. Contrast is spot on, with natural skin tones and almost flawless black levels, albeit with minor issues in a few poorly lit nighttime shots. Impressively, the transfer avoids common pitfalls like artifacting, edge enhancement, source noise, or digital noise reduction (DNR). The sharpness extends to fine object details, such as newspapers in junkyards with crystal-clear text and properly defined rust flecks.

However, a minor drawback is that CG-enhanced elements can sometimes appear disjointed from the background, particularly noticeable with the alien character and certain insects like flies and cockroaches. This slight discrepancy is more due to the inherent nature of grafting these elements into bright scenes rather than a flaw of the transfer itself. Despite this minor issue, "CJ7" holds up well and nearly matches the quality of newer Blu-ray releases. Overall, this Blu-ray edition provides an engaging and visually impressive experience that leverages high-definition capabilities excellently.

The Blu-ray release of "CJ7" showcases a remarkable audio presentation, featuring several Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless audio options both in the original Mandarin and an impressively executed English dub. True to form, the lossless soundtracks deliver a rich, immersive experience that envelops the listener with well-prioritized dialogue, robust low-frequency effects (LFE), and excellent use of surround speakers. Noteworthy scenes include construction sequences and the UFO takeoff, providing a dynamic range that effectively utilizes subwoofers for impactful bass. The soundtrack's quality remains consistently high, with crisp dialogue and no distracting volume issues in either language track.

The technical prowess extends to the directional fidelity of the soundstage, where sound effects and music transitions transparently across channels. This maintains a coherent and engaging spatial environment. The surround speakers adeptly complement the front-heavy sound field, delivering convincing acoustics and delicate ambient sounds that enhance the overall immersion. However, a minor issue arises with some lines being noticeably looped in post-production, which slightly disrupts the listening experience due to variations in line volume and integrity. Despite this, the mix remains robust and capable, ensuring a satisfying auditory experience.

Overall, "CJ7" on Blu-ray brings forth a sonically pleasing adventure that effectively utilizes its Dolby TrueHD tracks. From high-pitched screams to room-filling dance music, each element works harmoniously to create a well-rounded and enjoyable audio presentation. Although English subtitles may not always align perfectly with the dub, these slight discrepancies do little to diminish the overall high quality of this faithful soundtrack.

The Blu-ray release of "CJ7" for the U.S. market is a comprehensive package that greatly enhances the viewing experience with its extensive supplemental features. The highlight is the commentary track featuring actor/director Stephen Chow, Fatso Chung, Shing-Cheung Lee, and writer Kan-Cheung Tsang, offering a deep dive into casting, cut scenes, and behind-the-scenes stories. Although the commentary is in Chinese, the provided English subtitles ensure accessibility. The assortment of featurettes, such as "The Story of CJ7" and "CJ7 TV Special," provide an engaging look at the film's production process and character development. Additionally, concise tutorials like "How to Bully a Bully" and "How to Make a Lollipop" add a playful touch to the extras. Trailers in 1080p and BD-Live compatibility round out this robust package.

Extras included in this disc:

• Subtitled Cast and Crew Commentary: Insightful commentary track with key creatives.
• The Story of 'CJ7': Making-of featurette with behind-the-scenes and production insights.
• 'CJ7' TV Special: Detailed look at the creation of the title character and specific scenes.
• Anatomy of a Scene: Breakdown of a bathroom scene involving Dicky and CJ7.
• CJ7 Profiles: Character insights detailing their traits and strengths.
• How to Bully a Bully: Advice feature with a humorous approach to handling bullies.
• How to Make a Lollipop: Step-by-step tutorial on crafting prop lollipops from clay.
• Mission Control: Interactive game navigating the Shenzhou 7 into orbit.
• Theatrical Trailer: Official HD trailer for CJ7.

Stephen Chow's "CJ7" is a captivating blend of science fiction, family drama, and comedy that defies conventional genre expectations. The film showcases a poor construction worker, Ti (played by Chow himself), who discovers an orb in a junkyard and presents it to his son, Dicky (Jiao Xu), mistaking it for a toy. The orb reveals itself as an extraterrestrial creature, CJ7, which brings a mix of joy and somber reality into Dicky's life. Despite its lighter approach compared to Chow's previous works like "Shaolin Soccer" and "Kung Fu Hustle," "CJ7" maintains his signature humor with understated visual gags and slapstick sequences. The film's charm lies in its honest exploration of love, integrity, and self-worth, resonating deeply due to its heartfelt performances and visually engaging direction.

The narrative follows the touching relationship between Ti and Dicky amidst lower-class struggles, heartwarming instances, and imaginative sequences featuring CJ7's powers. The direction by Chow is straightforward yet visually mesmerizing, utilizing meticulous framing to enhance characters' emotions and the story's overall depth. Special effects are abundant yet subtle, with seamless CGI that brings CJ7 to life without overshadowing the film’s charm. Jiao Xu’s portrayal of Dicky is commendable, delivering an emotionally nuanced performance that rivals those of seasoned actors. Her ability to convey complex emotions ensures that viewers are deeply engaged with her character’s journey.

Despite its whimsical nature and fantastical elements reminiscent of “E.T.” and “Gremlins,” "CJ7" is anchored by its realistic depiction of familial bonds and the challenges of poverty. While some may argue that it lacks the revolutionary impact of Chow’s earlier martial arts comedies, "CJ7" excels as an intimate family film. It proves Chow’s versatility beyond high-energy comedy and action, offering a beautifully crafted narrative with a universal appeal. This endearing movie not only entertains but also imparts a profound message about finding true happiness from within.

The Blu-ray release of "CJ7" impresses with its technical proficiency and compelling content. The film itself is a heartfelt, family-oriented story that delves into significant themes with sincerity and clarity, capturing both children’s and adults’ imaginations. Stephen Chow's direction, coupled with standout performances from the cast, lends the film an endearing charm that is further enhanced by its delightful visual style and graceful special effects.

From a technical perspective, the Blu-ray presentation of "CJ7" meets high standards. The video transfer is exemplary, showcasing vibrant colors and sharp detail that enrich the viewing experience. The audio tracks, provided in TrueHD, deliver immersive sound quality with excellent clarity, making the film’s emotional moments resonate even more strongly. Accompanying the main feature is a well-curated selection of bonus materials, including an engaging cast and crew commentary that offers additional insight and laughter.

"CJ7 is a wonderful family film, sincere and simple in its approach, but one that tackles some important issues in an entertaining and heartwarming manner. With its appealing visual style, fantastic acting, solid direction, memorable characters, great writing, and graceful special effects, there is something for everyone to enjoy in CJ7. This release is another winner from Sony. The quality of the release, not to mention the theme of the film, is reminiscent of The Water Horse. CJ7 offers great video and audio qualities as well as a nice selection of bonus materials. You'll be hard-pressed to find a better and more heartwarming title than CJ7. Both this movie and The Water Horse go well together, and CJ7 would look great on your shelf next to that family favorite. Highly recommended!"