Not as great as Shaolin Soccer or Kungfu Hustle but still very watchable, CJ7 sees Stephen Chow once again playing triple-threat as he simultaneously dons the hats of director, producer and writer.

Stephen plays an impoverished coolie who struggles to raise his 9-year-old son (played by child actor Xu Jiao, who happens to be a girl) in a rundown shack of a home. One night while scavenging through a dumpster, he finds a ball with an unusual antenna sticking out of it.

He brings it home for Jiao to play, but Jiao soon realises that this is no ordinary ball. By a simple twist of the antenna, it turns into a ridiculously-cute alien dog with nifty healing powers. Who knew that this little funny-looking creature would be the catalyst for a better relationship between father and son?

Seamlessly blending nonsensical comedy with heart-tugging drama, CJ7 is a hugely enjoyable collage of Taiwanese tearjerkers, Charlie Chaplin's silent comedies, Jackie Chan's prodigious stuntwork and episodes of Lassie. What Stephen Chow does better than any living filmmaker in the world right now is supplying his mischievous comedies with a big human heart. You always care for the underdog characters despite the silliness they get up to.

With a charming storyline, good special effects and very engaging performances by Jiao and Stephen, CJ7 is the best movie to bring your family to this festive season. Trust us � even your grandmother will enjoy it.

Verdict: Four ang pows out of five. The best movie of season.