Writer: Stephen Chow

‘CJ7’ is a warm-hearted sci-fi comedy with solid special effects and a winning performance by newcomer Xu Jiao.

‘CJ7: The Cartoon’ is a definite step down from the original, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t still a fun companion piece that can be enjoyed by all the family.

Avid fans of Chow’s humour can also rest assured as this is one of his sharpest films.

The humour is sharp and often hits the mark which therefore makes this one of his best and certainly most accessible films.

‘Journey To The West: Conquering The Demons’ is a solid fantasy film that retains a fair amount of that Stephen Chow magic.

It’s a highly accomplished and touching rom-com that shows he is not just a funny face.

It is a brilliantly constructed spoof of the martial arts genre that includes all of the elements that made Chow such a success.

As is often the case with Chow’s movies, what really sets it apart from other outings in the genre is the inclusion of a heartfelt story.

Not only does it contain some of Stephen Chow’s most finely honed comedy, but it also sees him giving one of his more heartfelt and dramatic performances.

‘The Mermaid’ has the feel-good factor and is probably as good a rom-com as you’re likely to see this year. Yet that somehow doesn’t seem enough from a film-maker like Chow.

The major strength here is E Jingwen who is such an eternally affable figure that you are rooting for her from the first frame until the end.